GOP Cuts: A "Guillotine Job" on the Special Olympics HELP SAVE THEM!

[Snoutport]

Hello Everyone! Mother Jones has a very heartbreaking article right now. The GOP has set their sites on SPecial Olympics and it looks like they want to pretty much gut it. (link below)

I am a special education teacher and part of my job is transitioning my students from school into their adult programs/lives. I have to tell you, it is somewhat heartbreaking to see how little opportunity there is for people with disabilities to have social groups or friends. There are lucky ones who get in a good program that attempts to address these issues but for most young adults Special Olympics offers their only chance to be part of a social group. Many in foster care or state guardianship stay in a home where 100% of the people they see are people who are paid to be around them.

Imagine a life like that....almost every person you encounter are paid to spend time with you. (And not paid very much).

Special Olympics is one of the only opportunities these people have to hang out with their friends. To see their team mates on a regular basis. It promotes better health and that alone probably saves more money than the whole Special Olympics program costs to start with. I could type all day listing the benefits of Special Olympics.

But the GOP doesn't see it that way so I'm asking you all to, once again, put fingers to keyboards and email, or phone to ear and call or to put pen to paper and go old style. But, please, support the Special people in your community and do this one small thing to help save Special Olympics for them. I also put a comment and link on my facebook page asking my friends to call and write as well. It is the least I can do.

Have an excellent day.
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/03/budget-cuts-special-olympics

[ananda]

1. I get it.

The righties don't want anything good for anyone who
is not rich and/or corporate. If you're not rich or
corporate, forget about getting anything from government.

There is a very deep and toxic sickness in this country right now.

[Snoutport]

2. But this takes them to an even lower level. 750,000 Special Olympians!

So many kids rely on the program and as they age out of school it becomes even more important for them as young adults.

[madrchsod]

5. where my wife works at the state has cut back on adult special olympics

they could`t send anyone to a state meet and could`t find money or volunteers to run their own. we live in a democratic state.

[monmouth]

12. NASCAR..Cut any funding to them also. I read somewhere were US

gives them money...

[Blue Owl]

3. What I don't get

is how the GOP can repeatedly kick the poor, needy, homeless, disabled, and less-fortunate while they're down -- and yet continue to maintain an air of credibility and legitimacy anywhere.

When will the fucking tables finally turn on these bastards? How can they keep getting away with it?

Nobody wants this shit.

[bobbolink]

10. When? When all of you are willing to protest, like you are willing to protest for

middleclass issues.

Until then........

[madrchsod]

4. god fearing republicans do not have special needs children and adults.

it`s a fact that god fearing republican women give birth to normal healthy babies. why should god fearing republicans have to pay for those children and adults who were gestated by genetically defective godless democratic women.

[jillan]

6. What is amazing about Special Olympics is it is one of the few times where the disabled can

experience pride and accomplishment. It is a beautiful experience for this group of people, and Damn the republicants for trying to take this away.

[Snoutport]

7. THanks Jillian--i left out the pride and accomplishment part

Everybody needs to be a winner sometimes!

[jillan]

8. I am fuming!

[Snoutport]

9. I am calling my reps right now.

all I can do!

[Ilsa]

11. Sarah Palin should be all over this if she has an ounce

of personal integrity. She has a special needs child.

Of course, I think she may have cut SO funding in Alaska. Nevermind.

I guess I'm going to have to rob a bank to make certain my special needs son has a shot at a decent life.