Greg Jones, a disability rights advocate, protests the funding levels for in-home services for disabled Kansans outside the Statehouse on Tuesday. He helped plant 58 white crosses to represent those who have died while waiting for in-home service funding.
Fifty-eight crosses lined the grass in front of the Statehouse on Tuesday morning, a representation of what one disability advocate said were the disabled Kansans on the in-home service waiting list that have died while waiting for funding.
"They demonstrate the political genocide going on while the Kansas Legislature fails to act," said Greg Jones, a representative of the grass-roots group. "They represent 58 lives who chose to remain at home and keep their dignity instead of having their dignity stripped by being placed in a nursing setting."
The state acknowledges 58 of the 1,700 disabled Kansans on the waiting list have died since December 2008. But 467 disabled Kansans who were receiving in-home services died during that same period. About 6,600 people currently receive those state-funded services.
Around 30 protesters first positioned themselves outside the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday to add to their silent outdoor protest. The group later moved to the Senate Taxation Committee, which was debating the merits of raising the state tobacco tax.
Jones said he sees "the writing on the wall" when it comes to taxes.
"Does anyone want to pay more taxes? No, I don't," he said. "But if I have to spend an extra dollar to make sure the elderly neighbor has oxygen, to keep her in her home, I'll do it."
K-State for All
C r e a t e A b i l i t y Click here for Downloadable poster
Disability Awareness Week ~ March 28 - April 3, 2010
K-State For All! 2010 Kick-Off Event is Sunday, March 28, 6-8 p.m., Derby Dining Center, Sponsored by ARH
Fun and Food! Features a free meal, games & prizes.
K-State For All! Disability Rights Timeline
March 28-April 3, 2nd Floor Showcase, K-State Union, Sponsored by DSS
The history of civil rights for persons with disabilities is reflected in a pictorial timeline.
UPC Film “Adam”
Monday, March 29, 7 p.m., Little Theatre, 1st Floor, K-State Student Union,
Sponsored by the Union Program Council
This 2009 “dramedy” stars Hugh Dancy and follows the relationship between a young man who
has Asperger’s Syndrome and the woman of his dreams. Click here for more info
Governor Parkinson puts forth plan to fix $106 million budget gap
Governor calls on Legislative leaders to join in solution
"...I look forward to the Legislature to coming to the table, putting politics aside, and raising the revenue we need to get Kansas back on track.”
Governor Mark Parkinson has put forward his plan to balance an unexpected $106 million hole in the current fiscal year’s budget by, among other things, reducing work on Kansas’ highways and roads throughout this year and next.
“I have said, time and time again, that there are no great options left to balance the budget. Having already cut more than $1 billion from state spending, every option I have left will harm state programs. However, facing an additional $106 million shortfall with less than four months left in the fiscal year, I am compelled to act.
More state budget cuts coming tomorrow March 5,2010
TOPEKA – Gov. Mark Parkinson will announce more cuts to the state budget Friday morning.
The announcement comes on the heals of February revenue numbers which showed tax receipts lagging about $71 million behind expectations.
Already, lawmakers are expecting a $400 million plus shortfall for the fiscal year 2011 budget, which starts July 1. In November, Parkinson, a Democrat, announced cuts to the current 2010 budget total ling about $260 million. The new round of cuts are something Parkinson has tried to avoid. After the last round of allotments, the governor said further cuts could cripple state government.
TOPEKA, Kan. - The Ms. Wheelchair Kansas (MWKS) crowning ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 14, 2010, 2 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, Kan. The ceremony will be open to the public and free of charge. It will include platform speech presentations by the contestants, a keynote speaker, a performance from Whyte Lyte, farewell from the current titleholder, and crowning of the new Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2010. Kelly Stegeman, KSNT News anchor in Topeka, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.
SRS Press Conference Part #2- no way to live when there is no hope.
The press Conference at the SRS Building on February 25th was to bring some attention to the real life impact of the Medicaid Budget cuts are having on real people.
According to Greg Jones, quoting from a report of the local community health clinic there are 22,000 children on a waiting list for Medicaid. A good share of the wait is based on case load and man power and not on funding directly. Parents are experiencing a three month waiting period from the time they apply for Health Wave before they can take their child to see a doctor.
Linda Roberts shared about her experiences of living in a nursing home. One of the ever real and present fears she faces is that if she goes into the hospital for any reason she would lose her Home and Community Based services. Once she loses her place in receiving services and the state tries to force her into a nursing home Linda shared with the media, “I will tell you, right here and right now you will be seeing one of those wheel chairs with my name and my cross on it; before that happens to me.”
The Yates center Advocacy group called, “Feminine Mystique” met in regular session Wednesday February 10th. The plans for the day included a hot bowl of chili and fresh cinnamon rolls then it was right to business.
The team created personal Valentines for the residents of the local nursing home. They sent blue and purple to the men and pink to the ladies. Some of the fun discussion erupted as people began to discuss what numbers they would put on the cards. After a few laughs it was back to business and everyone agreed t o just put a telephone number of SKIL and not their measurements on the cards for the men.
Armed with paper, pens, and markers the team really hoped that if anyone inside the nursing home that wanted to get out would see the number and know that there are resources and people that support folks living in their own home rather than being moved into a nursing facility.
Some of the advocates wanted to share how the recent budget cuts were affecting them. Gala Blevins shared that with reduced hours there is a real danger of not being able to monitor her blood sugar as close as she needs to.
Daniel Hudson who has had a serious heart attack and four stints is feeling a tremendous amount of stress, because he fears the state will take away his personal care attendant and then try to force him into a nursing home. Daniel stated, “I worked in a nursing home. I’ve seen how they do. It’s not good for the people."
Joyce Potter who lives out in rural Woodson county requested that the state not cut the wages of personal care attendants as it is already a hardship to find people willing to drive out into the county and do the work. Joyce stated, “The State of Kansas should care about the people that need the help.”
Bruno Lift for Electric Whellchair
Arlene Evans, of the Sedan area has for sale:Bruno Lift for Electric Whellchair-1 1/2 years old still has warrenty on it.$2,500.00 Her telephone number is 620-725-3667.
According to Greg Jones, quoting from a report of the local community health clinic there are 22,000 children on a waiting list for Medicaid. A good share of the wait is based on case load and man power and not on funding directly. Parents are experiencing a three month waiting period from the time they apply for Health Wave before they can take their child to see a doctor.