Parents are Forced to Leave Their Intellectually Disabled Child Home Alone

March 29, 2012 - PRLog -- The families shared stories about their every day lives and the affect the cuts have had on them and their loved ones.

Harlena Morton a single mother of Brittany Stevens testified against the cuts. Brittany is a 22-year-old who is not fully toilet trained and has a cognitive level of a 5 year old.  Harlena must leave Brittany at home alone while she goes to work. “I only have two options right now, to place Brittany in an institution away from her family and friends, or quit my job. Neither alternative is an option for Brittany or me. I want Brittany in the community and I love my job and want to continue to be a productive citizen.”

PA Representative Gene DiGirolamo today outlined his concerns over the Department of Public Welfare’s proposed cuts for services to Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities.
“Implementation of changes to Pennsylvania’s funding for community services is having a very serious impact on the well being and safety of the individuals they serve,” said Representative DiGirolamo of Bucks County. “We need to be fiscally responsible and make sure we are utilizing the most cost-effective services. Spending twice or three times the cost to institutionalize Pennsylvanians or endanger a person’s safety is simply not acceptable.”

Nearly 16,000 Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities are on waiting lists for services, 3,700 of which are considered in emergency need. A 20% cut to the budget would increase the waiting list dramatically said Nancy Richey the head of Self Advocates and Family Alliance (SAFA).  SAFA is an organization representing 12 disabilities organizations spread across the Commonwealth.

“If the moral test of a society is how we treat our most vulnerable citizens, Pennsylvania is in big trouble,” said Audrey Coccia, Co-Executive Director at Vision for EQuality and one of the testifying families. “Families have been waiting years for services, and we have parents calling every day whose greatest fears are being realized as they grow old; because there is no one they can count on to care for their adult child with disabilities.”

Eighteen families testified before the House Human Services Committee today, outlining the already lengthy wait for services. The families expressed fear and frustration in trying to make sure their children are safe, now and in the years to come.

“We want to know our children will be safe and cared for,” said SuAnn Brenner.  “As parents, it is difficult to listen to elected officials refer to our children as being ‘addicted to welfare’ or part of a group that is trying to defraud taxpayers. The very suggestion is offensive and absurd.”

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