Vote YES on Prop 100

If Ari could talk, she would surely ask each of you ever so politely to "Please vote YES on Prop 100" (in Arizona). A vote of YES on this proposition would prevent drastic cuts to services in education, therapies, and healthcare to Arizona's children, including Ariana. This prop deeply affects your own children too. It's been repeatedly stated that "If Prop 100 fails, so will Arizona's education system." This proposition is right down the line, so your vote, and your husband's, and your sister's, and your adult child's... all count. Very. Much. So please take the time to put partisan matters aside, and make a vote that will really help in this election.

ASU Graduation 2009

My sister, Marci, just graduated from ASU's Nursing School. We are so proud of her! We got to go to her Commencement Ceremony and listen to Pres. Obama give the commencement speech. It was a very memorable experience. It was really neat to be present at something that monumental.We celebrated later over dinner at Digestif.

We Won! Children with Special Needs Protected!

You know, there's an old Yiddish saying that goes, "God slaps you on one cheek and kisses you on the other." I wrote a post not too long ago about how Arizona had decided to cut out the Early Intervention program for children with disabilities because of lack of budget funds. Remember the lawsuit for which I wrote a deposition and was serving as a plaintiff against the State of Arizona, the one I doubted we even had a hope of winning, the one that presented our one and only chance of getting the budget cuts for services of children with special needs repealed? Well, we had a big success today, and we won that lawsuit outright, and babies throughout the state are getting their services reinstated.

Today, our family attended the press conference at the State Capitol. It was very exciting to be influencing public policy, and in particular, to be advocating for something so close to my heart. It is a wonderful feeling to know that, even in a world where it seems like one can be drowned out by the opposition and overwhelmed by bureaucracy, your voice can still be heard. So far, news stations Chanel 3 and Chanel 5 have covered the story in addition to several valley newspapers. I will post a video of the segment as soon as I get it.

Here is the link to Channel 3 clip: http://www.azfamily.com/video/?z=y&nvid=340992&shu=1

Here is the link to Channel 5 article & video: http://www.kpho.com/health/18912232/detail.html

In front of the Capitol Building with the CEO & Vice President of TCH (The Center for Habilitation) and Monica Attridge for AAPPD (an advocacy group for privder services).

Here is an excerpt from the official Press Release:

"Judge Stops Drastic Cuts in Disability Services by DES"

On February 13, 2009 the Department of Economic Security (DES) announced the most severe cuts in services and provider rates since the community system for people with disabilities was founded 30 years ago. More than 4,000 people with developmental disabilities were to be removed from service effective Friday, March 13th, ranging from 2,000 infants in early intervention to adults with severe disabilities, many of whom had received services for over two decades. The already fragile network of service providers was hit with a 10% rate reduction in payment for services even while a recent DES study indicated that provider rates were already substandard.

On February 27, providers, advocates and developmentally disabled individuals and their guardians from various parts of the State sued the State of Arizona and DES in Superior Court over these cuts. They asked the Court for an immediate injunction to stop the suspensions of services and the rate cuts that would jeopardize the continuing availability of essential services. At a preliminary hearing, the Court heard evidence about infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed and will lose essential services at a critical time in their lives; about disabled adults who will lose personal care services that are essential for their immediate safety and welfare; and about service programs that either have or will have to close their doors if these cuts are permitted.

Today, Judge Joseph B. Heilman enjoined the State of Arizona and DES from making those cuts. His ruling is retroactive to March 1st. The ruling notes that, in the State's rush to fix its budget problems, it acted so hastily -- without public input -- and that it ignored the immediate safety and welfare of some of its most vulnerable citizens. The State's actions threaten to undermine the very network of services that it designed to serve the thousands of program beneficiaries and their families. And in its haste, the State most likely ignored the law as well.

Clients, their families, advocates and providers will hold a rally at the State Capitol next Thursday, March 19th to emphasize the effects of the cuts proposed.

Therapy Service Cuts! What?!

I've said it before, but it bears repeating that both of my twins have received government-funded therapy services since they were babies. Ariana acquired these therapies because of her obvious diagnoses and developmental delays, and Gabriel was formerly delayed (due to his prematurity) and has been able to catch up to age level (and even surpass it) thanks to his therapists. Right now, Gabriel receives Physical Therapy (PT) and Developmental Special Instruction (DSI). Ariana receives PT, DSI, Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (SP), and has qualified for Feeding Therapy (FT). Gabe's program is state funded and is known as the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), and cares for children between birth to 3 years of age. Ariana's program is mostly federally funded and is known as Long-Term Care (Title 19) and cares for individuals with serious diagnoses from birth to age 19.

As of the end of March, the grand state of Arizona will be the first state in the nation to cut all state funded therapy services for babies (0-3 years old). AzEIP will be a thing of the past. Gone. Finito. Gabriel's services will be cut. This is not good, but it's not devastating, in and of itself, seeing as though Gabe has been making great progress and was getting ready to graduate out of the program anyway. But to think that this cut will leave Ariana unscathed is totally wrong.

Here's where it gets bad:

1) Ariana's DSI therapy is state funded. Every child's DSI is state funded. This means that every child, no matter how delayed, no matter how severe, is getting this crucial service cut, even if they are considered Title 19. Ariana is out a valuable therapy that will not be reinstated. We are also losing a beloved therapist, and she and so many therapists like her are out of a job. DSI has been one of the most beneficial therapies for Ariana (and Gabe), and has served as a parenting coach and invaluable support system for me, to say the least.

2) TCH is the company that employs Ariana's PT (as well as her DSI & SP). Since the budget cut, TCH and so many other companies like theirs is having to close its doors and shut down their program altogether. They simply cannot run a business without the state funded portion of their clients (which makes up the majority of their reimbursement). Therefore, even though Ariana's federal service funds are still available, the providers are not there to offer these services anymore. At the end of this month, Ari's PT will be out of a job, so she will need to decide if she wants to and is able to find a job with another company that is managing to stay afloat under these turbulent conditions. If and when that be the case, we will transfer service to her new company. If not, Ariana will be out her Physical Therapist as well.

3) Ariana's OT is the owner of a therapy provider company. She is also in a position to decide whether or not it is possible for her to keep her business afloat, given the sudden and drastic budget cuts. If (like so many others) she can't, Ariana will be out her Occupational Therapist.

4) The fact that Ariana won't be getting the feeding therapy that I've been fighting for and was recently approved is just moldy icing on a stale cake.

5) To say the least, Ariana and so many other children with special needs in our state are having their much needed therapy services terminated or interrupted. This vulnerable population of children is losing medical care, their parents are losing knowledgeable coaches, their families are losing valued relationships, and the providers are losing their jobs. This is happening by the thousands. It's simply NOT okay. There are Third World countries with better programs for children with disabilities (and, no, I am not making this up).

Currently, I'm a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by TCH (The Center for Habilitation) against the State of Arizona. Wish me luck, right? It is an attempt to put a hold on the budget cuts for further review, seeing as though they are IN VIOLATION of Federal requirements! There was a rally at the State Capitol to protest the cuts last Thursday. People are writing their legislators left and right. The cuts have passed, so the only hope of reversing it is if the lawsuit is successful. So, although it may be a mute point, we are fighting the good fight anyway.

Can you Believe This Guy? --> Obama

I know that if you read my blog consistently, you must be a lover of babies. If not, you would have tired long ago of my incessant babble about the joys and sorrows and the miracles that they are. So this video is for all of my fellow baby lovers, regardless of your politics (although I don't indulge you often enough, I'm sure you can tell where I stand). Pause my playlist at the bottom of the page to hear the video.