Advocates Pack Meeting On Community Supports
By Dave Reynolds,
Inclusion Daily Express
July 27, 2006
CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA--It
was standing room only at the Bureau of Senior Services conference room last
week, as more than 100 people showed up to express their concerns over changes
in the state's Medicaid waiver program.
In fact, according to the Charleston Gazette, so many people with
developmental disabilities, their family members, and advocates showed up for
the meeting that about 30 of them had to wait outside.
Some who attended reportedly said they were worried that a new system
for determining who is eligible for in-home services, such as respite care,
would disqualify many who currently receive those services, while prescribing
some supports people don't need.
Chris Huffman, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, said he is
worried that he might have to live with his mother because the new rules might
make him ineligible for his current supports.
"Why take my freedom away because I am too intelligent?" he asked.
"Please don't take my freedom away."
Related:
"Disabled people protest" (Charleston Gazette)
http://wvgazette.com/section/News/2006071929
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with Inclusion Daily Express international disability rights news service.
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