Minnesotans protest cuts to disability services

From WCCO-TV:

ST. PAUL ― That thousands are still waiting for services is one of the reasons for Saturday's rally at the capitol, protesting budget cuts that would reduce aid and rehabilitation services for disabled Minnesotans.

Disabled Minnesotans say they can't afford to lose services, but that's what could happen with proposed state budget cuts. Advocates of the disabled and elderly rallied at the capitol March 7 to protest cutbacks to human services.

David Bender's family shared their story with the crowd. The Benders have worked hard to keep 22 year-old Bender happy, healthy and contributing to his community. Bender has thrived despite multiple disabilities, including Down Syndrome, Autism, and visual and hearing impairments. For years, his family has been able to design their own plan for support so they can tailor services to his special needs.

"We do feel like we have a better program for David. We've made family sacrifices to be able to do that," said Bender's mom, Jean Bender.

Now that Bender's graduated from high school, he needs more hours of daily support, however, his service budget in this program has stayed the same. So, his mom Jean had to quit her job to care for her son and find other opportunities for him to be active in the community. It's meant a painful loss of income for the entire family.

"We are doing as much as we can but we still need help," added Jean.

The Benders say more program flexibility and funding could help many families like theirs get what they need and save taxpayer money in the long run. Jean thinks proposed cuts to families like theirs will be devastating.

"We're asking for our most vulnerable citizens to sacrifice so the rest of us don't have to," she said.

But the Benders say they're lucky. They're not one of the thousands still waiting for services.

It's one of the reasons for Saturday's rally at the capitol. They're also protesting budget cuts that would reduce aid and rehabilitation services for disabled Minnesotans.

"I just want to let people know that services for people with disabilities aren't just a line item," said Hunter Sargent, who receives support for his disability.

Governor Pawlenty has proposed $73 million in cuts to the human services budget. According to the governor's website, the reduction represents less than one percent of the agency's biennial funding.