Disabilities Awareness Day Spotlights Needs
By :TaMaryn Waters":http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090325/CAPITOLNEWS/903250321
The average person may not know the road blocks people with disabilities are facing, such as long waiting lists for needed services. But Janet Atkinson knows them all too well.
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Atkinson, a single mother who lives in Tampa, was among nearly 100 people who crowded onto the second floor of the Capitol on Tuesday in an effort to bring more awareness to the issues affecting people with disabilities. The news conference, sponsored by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, allowed advocates and others to acknowledge the newly created “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day” and to voice concerns on various issues.
Atkinson said resources for her 16-year-old son, Taylor, are increasingly limited, and she wants him to live the most independent life possible. Taylor has cerebral palsy and autism and suffers grand mal seizures, which are severe enough to cause convulsions and blackouts.
“I’m scared to death,” she said, referring to her son’s future.
She said she worries that because of the recession and budget cuts, Taylor will end up living in a nursing facility instead of at home with a personal assistant. She said it would be cheaper if the state helped parents such as her to keep their children out of costly care facilities.
Susan Gold, chairwoman for the council, said thousands of Floridans are on the waiting list for needed care. And they’re waiting because there’s not enough money to go around.
Continue Reading At Tallahassee.com
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Photo: Ed Yourdon/Flickr
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