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

2005-08-23 Thread Lana Baugh








Smurf,



DD sometimes refers to Developmental Disabilities.
It is a term used by Docs and psychologist to refer to a disability 

that has been present since birth. Sometimes
its just the title of a program. The Feds use it in a variety of ways.
One is for eligibility for the DD part of the Protection and Advocacy programs.
In that definition you have to have at least three functional lifelong disabilities
that occurred before you reached the age of 22. Different states have different
definitions for a lot of their non- federal programs. DD can mean a lot of
things. It all depends on the situation and who you are working with. 



Hope this helps. To me its very
confusing because every time I run into a different program I see a different
definition.



Lana,

Gabes mom









From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005
11:51 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED];
[EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Home
help/health care - Gabe









Hey all,











I know this is
going to come across as a stupiud question, but what does it mean to be/or have
DD? It's only because I noticed in one of the emails that your considered
DD if you was injuried before the age of 21. I was injuried when I was
18.











Help me out
guys!











Love Smurf xxx











In a message
dated 20/08/2005 21:55:07 GMT Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:







Liz,

When I worked at the PA and we had to determine eligibility by
the fed standards a SCI met the standard of DD.

Lana

Gabes mom









From: Liz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005
6:26 AM
To: Lana Baugh; 'Lori Michaelson'; quad-list@eskimo.com
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Home
help/health care - Gabe







Not sure how true it is but if you were
injured before 21 you are considered DD.







- Original Message - 





From: Lana
Baugh 





To: 'Lori Michaelson' ; quad-list@eskimo.com






Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 10:08 PM





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









Lori,

Its true that individuals with developmental disabilities
have different needs and different programs. Working through the DD
maze is just as difficult and problematic. Ive worked through
both in our state. We had to fight to get Gabes 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.
Its 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

Gabes 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 bywhichever
arrangement, and I know

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

2005-08-22 Thread Smurfonwheels




Hey all,

I know this is going to come across as a stupiud question, but what does it 
mean to be/or have DD? It's only because I noticed in one of the emails 
that your considered DD if you was injuried before the age of 21. I was 
injuried when I was 18.

Help me out guys!

Love Smurf xxx

In a message dated 20/08/2005 21:55:07 GMT Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

  
  Liz,
  When I worked at the 
  PA and we had to determine eligibility by the fed standards a SCI met the 
  standard of DD.
  Lana
  Gabe’s 
  mom
  
  
  
  
  From: Liz 
  [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 6:26 
  AMTo: Lana Baugh; 
  'Lori Michaelson'; quad-list@eskimo.comSubject: Re: [QUAD-L] Home help/health 
  care - Gabe
  
  
  Not sure how true it is but if you 
  were injured before 21 you are considered 
  DD.
  

- Original Message - 


From: Lana Baugh 


To: 'Lori 
Michaelson' ; quad-list@eskimo.com 


Sent: Friday, 
August 19, 2005 10:08 PM

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


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 
PMTo: QuadSubject: 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 bywhichever 
arrangement, and I know

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

2005-08-20 Thread Lana Baugh








Liz,

When I worked at the PA and we had to
determine eligibility by the fed standards a SCI met the standard of DD.

Lana

Gabes mom









From: Liz
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005
6:26 AM
To: Lana Baugh; 'Lori Michaelson'; quad-list@eskimo.com
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Home
help/health care - Gabe







Not sure how true
it is but if you were injured before 21 you are considered DD.







- Original
Message - 





From: Lana Baugh 





To: 'Lori Michaelson'
; quad-list@eskimo.com






Sent: Friday,
August 19, 2005 10:08 PM





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









Lori,

Its true that individuals with
developmental disabilities have different needs and different programs. Working
through the DD maze is just as difficult and problematic.
Ive worked through both in our state. We had to fight to get Gabes
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. Its 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

Gabes 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 bywhichever 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


   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
   









   
  
  
  
 













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

2005-08-19 Thread DeLiMiTeD4




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 bywhichever 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




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

2005-08-19 Thread Lori Michaelson






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 bywhichever 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












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

2005-08-19 Thread Lana Baugh




















From: Lana Baugh
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 7:10
PM
To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] Home
help/health care - Gabe





John,



My son, Gabe has a birth defect, several,
as a matter of fact. He also has a SCI. I do not get paid to manage his care. I
do not support this, nor do I criticize it, since I have not walked in that
parents shoes. I worked at a Protection and Advocacy Agency for 18 years
and advocated for all individuals with disabilities to be respected and to
reach their maximum potential, which includes living as independently as
possible. As you know PAs are independent and do not answer to the state
or feds in investigations. As a parent and a person who advocates for
individuals with disabilities I am outraged at your statement. If you did not sit down and talk to my son Gabe
you would think he wouldnt know the difference between a nursing home
and a pigeon coop. If you spoke to him you would know that he does. But that is really irrelevant. All people with disabilities are underestimated.
Again, irrelevant. All individuals with disabilities regardless of the severity
have the right to be respected, have the right be protected, reach their
maximum potential, live as independently as possible and have a society that
does not judge them or their rights to services based on disability. Just like
many who think that individuals with a SCI might not have good hearing or maybe
have other disabilities. This is the last place on earth I thought I would see
this type of blatant discrimination. 



While I do not support parents being paid
to manage their childs care, I understand it. If you think nursing homes
are pits, you havent visited many facilities that care for individuals
with developmental disabilities. I used to investigate them. Our agency
received all of the state and federal reports. Just investigate a few deaths or
people being tied down or hitting their head on a wall because of boredom and
lack of programs. Bored him to death, literally. 



If the only way I could keep my son out of
a home was to be paid to manage his care, I would. At least people who have a
SCI can tell someone if they are being raped.



Been their, done it!! I expect better
here.



Lana,

Gabes mom



PS. My husband and I are busting our asses
to help individuals with SCI to have 24/7 in our state. Are you?











From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 5:17
PM
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 bywhichever 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
  
  
 



















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

2005-08-19 Thread Lana Baugh








Lori,

Its true that individuals with developmental
disabilities have different needs and different programs. Working through the DD
maze is just as difficult and problematic. Ive worked through
both in our state. We had to fight to get Gabes 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. Its 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

Gabes 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 bywhichever 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


   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
   









   
  
  
  
 











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

2005-08-19 Thread Joan Anglin
Hi Lana
I agree with you on in home care, whether it's their own home or a SLA home. 35 years ago I started working for the State of Nevada in a "mental institution" on a ward for severe and profound MR's. There were 45 to 50 men, women and children all lumped together.Two years later they began smaller group homes, divided into 12 on a unit with 1 or 2 to a bedroom. Within a year we noticed major improvements in behavior, socialization and health.A year later the State funded developmental homes with families, no outside staff. My husband and I had anywhere from 2 to 4 living as part of our family, and even after my SCI continued to maintain "our guys". We divorced9 years ago (darn chair) and now I still have 2 guys living with me. Yes I get paid-it's my work, but I'm proud to say one gentleman who came to live with me in 1980 and who tested 27 on his IQ is still with me. He works full time in a sheltered workshopand earns around $400 a month, takes care of his hyg!
 iene, has
 chores in the house, cleans 3 horse stalls, feeds the horses (has learned how to weigh feed), and is a contributing member of society. Oh yes-he's basically nonverbal.
I began a sheltered workshop and taught MR's that were deemed untrainable to work with horses and general gardening. It was slow but over 4 years 6 people were able to move into supervised jobs. We had to close because liability insurance rose to astronomical levels.
I feel that people not conversant with mental retardation or brain injury often do not understand how much is "cooking" behind the front appearance, leading to misconceptions about needs and wants.
Also, the other day I was riding home on our door to door citilift-marvelous program-when a grown man suddenly-stopped in front of me and said "me John, you John". I had last seen him 20 years ago. He had had a massive brain injury and was unable to talk, and I worked with him along with a speech therapist. One game we came up with was "me Joan, you John". He never conqured Joan so I was always John. Twenty years later he recognized me, even in a wheelchair! 
Ok, I'll quit for now, sorry this was so wordy, but passion runs deep. Joan
Lana Baugh [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:















From: Lana Baugh [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 7:10 PMTo: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] Home help/health care - Gabe

John,

My son, Gabe has a birth defect, several, as a matter of fact. He also has a SCI. I do not get paid to manage his care. I do not support this, nor do I criticize it, since I have not walked in that parent’s shoes. I worked at a Protection and Advocacy Agency for 18 years and advocated for all individuals with disabilities to be respected and to reach their maximum potential, which includes living as independently as possible. As you know PAs are independent and do not answer to the state or feds in investigations. As a parent and a person who advocates for individuals with disabilities I am outraged at your statement. If you did not sit down and talk to my son Gabe you would think he wouldn’t know the difference between a nursing home and a pigeon coop. If you spoke to him you would know that he does. But that is really irrelevant. All people with disabilities are underestimated. Again, irrelevant. All individuals with disabilities regardless of the severity have the right to be respected, have the right be protected, reach their maximum potential, live as independently as possible and have a society that does not judge them or their rights to services based on disability. Just like many who think that individuals with a SCI might not have good hearing or maybe have other disabilities. This is the last place on earth I thought I would see this type of blatant discrimination. 

While I do not support parents being paid to manage their child’s care, I understand it. If you think nursing homes are pits, you haven’t visited many facilities that care for individuals with developmental disabilities. I used to investigate them. Our agency received all of the state and federal reports. Just investigate a few deaths or people being tied down or hitting their head on a wall because of boredom and lack of programs. Bored him to death, literally. 

If the only way I could keep my son out of a home was to be paid to manage his care, I would. At least people who have a SCI can tell someone if they are being raped.

Been their, done it!! I expect better here.

Lana,
Gabe’s mom

PS. My husband and I are busting our asses to help individuals with SCI to have 24/7 in our state. Are you?





From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 5:17 PMTo: quad-list@eskimo.comSubject: 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 the