RE: [QUAD-L] Home help/health care - Gabe

[Lana Baugh]

Lori, It’s true that individuals with developmental disabilities have different needs and different programs. Working through the “DD maze” is just as difficult and problematic. I’ve worked through both in our state. We had to fight to get Gabe’s programs and prove that we and our insurance were capable of providing time and $$$$$$. Gabe is one individual in our state that is fortunate enough to receive 24/7 in his home. 3 -8 hour shifts. However, to be eligible he has to be very very ill all the time as well as having parents and insurance that provide time and $. I really wish he had a world of opportunities open to him.  Individuals with a SCI as a single diagnosis are very unlikely to receive 24/7 in our state. However, I know a lot of people with and parents of individuals with developmental disabilities that are fighting to get better services for all, including people with SCI. They do not put down people with SCI. They work side by side with them.  We have a great coalition of people and agencies that are banding together to resolve services for everyone. It’s not us and them. We call ourselves the Coalition of Idahoans with Disabilities. We are a large group, about 25 agencies, non-profit and for profit. We have come along way, made a lot of changes and we have a long way to go.  We all suffer when we have losses and we are all sure we will have success. We will have 24/7 for everyone. Lana Gabe’s mom         From: Lori Michaelson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 6:07 PM To: Quad Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Home help/health care - Gabe   Yeah.  Lana mentioned DD was involved and THAT is a whole other ball game!  Anyone with developmental disabilities has a world of opportunities open to them.  Again, life isn't fair and the government is NOT here to help you.  LOL   Lori Michaelson C4/5 complete quad, 25 years post Tucson, AZ     -------Original Message-------   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 08/19/05 16:53:38 To: quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Home help/health care - Gabe   I'm never surprised anymore. I know 2 brothers with birth defects that live in their own home and their father GETS PAID to manage their 24/7 help. These are guys that wouldn't know if they were in a nursing home or pigeon coop.     john   In a message dated 8/19/2005 3:48:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Lana,   You've mentioned before that Gabe gets home help via a waiver (and maybe some other source as well?) 24/7.   I am shocked by that as probably many here on the list are.  That would be three 8-hr shifts, or by whichever arrangement, and I know of no one living at home qualifying for that much care.  The most I've heard of is, like, 8 hours a day - total.  Via Waivers or county help.   Is anyone else here also surprised at this amount of care that Gabe receives?   Lana ... what state are you in?  For 24/7 care ... is it ALL paid for or must you spend-down anything?   Or any other pertinent info would be most appreciated.   Thanks in advance,   Lori Michaelson C4/5 complete quad, 25 years post Tucson, AZ