By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
NORTHAMPTON - In an attempt to restore more than $45 million in proposed budget cuts to the Department of Mental Retardation, families of individuals with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders gathered Wednesday night and discussed ways to reach out to local legislators.
The meeting, called by the Association for Community Living, drew a crowd of more than 50 local residents who depend on state-funded support to care for family members who have physical, mental or developmental disabilities. State Rep. John W. Scibak (D-South Hadley) was the only legislator present.
"These are really tough times and difficult decisions have to be made, but we just want to ensure that the legislators get a chance to listen to the stories of the families that are caring for a family member at home and realize how these cuts will affect the services that they are receiving," said the association's divisional director, Mary Martin.
According to Martin, if Gov. Deval Patrick's budget proposal passes as it is written today, more than 11,000 children and adults would lose support services, more than 1,000 people would lose employment or day services and 200 children with autism would lose some or all services.
"In the last six months, services to people with disabilities has been slashed more than $85 million," Martin said. "This year the governor's house budget is looking at a $45 million cut to the transportation, day employment and the family support line item, and another $2.5 million in the autism division."
One in the audience who volunteered to speak at the meeting was Northampton resident and mother of three Eneida Garcia, whose 20-year-old son, Freddy, has cerebral palsy.
"Over the years I have been able to get a lot of support for Freddy, and that has given me the opportunity to do things for myself like go to college and work," Garcia said. "Right now I am working 40 hours a week and have only been able to learn as much English as I do now because of the support I have had at home. Without this funding I would have to stay at home to take care of him, and I really don't want to do that."
Also speaking at the meeting was program participant James Miller, who said he would not be where he is today if it weren't for the support of programs like the Association for Community Living.
"When you cut family support you are actually cutting individual support," said Miller. "In my own personal case, when I was 3 years old my parents got a nurse to come to our home from the hospital to do all the physical fitness with me so that I can be standing here and talking with you right now. I wouldn't be able to be here talking about this if they had these kinds of cuts 20 years ago."
Scibak, who represents Hadley, South Hadley and Easthampton, said he began his career working in an institution for the mentally retarded and that for his entire political career he has supported programs which make the lives of families and those living with disabilities easier.
"The stories that I have heard tonight have been remarkable," said Scibak. "You have all convinced me that I have to advocate much more next week to get some of this funding restored."
Scibak said he wished he could assure that the funding these families depend on would be included in the budget, but when the state is facing a $3 billion budget shortfall, difficult decisions have to be made. However, he said he wants to be sure other legislators realize that cutting funding to services benefiting those with disabilities could end up costing more in the long-run.
"I think these cuts are absolutely crazy, because most of you have cared for family members that a generation ago would have been institutionalized, and that would cost the commonwealth a great deal more," Scibak said. "We are also talking about cutting services to people who won't be able to go to work because they will have to stay at home and take care of their loved ones."
Scibak encouraged those in attendance to contact legislators and let them know the impact the proposed cuts would have on their families.
"This is going to be a difficult fight. There is no question about that, and there are no guarantees," said Scibak. "We are still going to be $3 billion short. I don't know that we can restore the entire $50 million, and I don't know if we can give you $30 million but I will make this a priority and will certainly advocate for it."
Approximately 33,000 people with disabilities and their families receive services through the Department of Mental Retardation, which will soon be renamed the Department of Developmental Services. Of those 33,000, 22,000 live at home with their families.
Residents interested in sending a letter or sharing a story are encouraged to visit www.arcmass.org.
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.
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