WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO RENEW OUR PUSH FOR MICASSA AND MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON Many people with significant disabilities cannot live without supports, like attendant services. Terri Schiavo's story brought into focus, in an extreme way, the fact of this need. It pointed a huge spotlight on this issue. The visceral/gut reaction of many in the disability community was a feeling of being deeply threatened. The fear comes from their current need for this support, or anticipation that they will need such supports in the future, combined with a sense that the general mood is to diminish just these types of supports. Many politicians who spoke in support for Terri's life have not shown the same support for the services that would allow people with disabilities to live with dignity in their communities. Others who failed to see the importance of the value of Terri's life, sometimes even life with a disability in general, have also not shown strong support for legislation supporting us in the community. The lack of understanding on both sides is chilling, to say the least. Congress came back from their Spring Break on Tuesday (April 5th). With Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security up for perhaps radical reform, we cannot just hope for the best. We must continue to push our agenda forward. Let's make some good come from all this. Let's get our Senators and Representatives to support disability by passing legislation. We need community attendant services and supports. If they support people with disabilities they need to support MiCASSA (S. 401 and HR 910) and Money Follows the Person (S. 528). CONTINUE YOUR ADVOCACY BY CONTACTING YOUR SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE. FREE OUR PEOPLE! NATIONAL ADAPT MAILING LIST - Adapt MiCASA List http://www.adapt.org
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