Signatures 914 total
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Name: Roderick Duell on Mar 4, 2010Comments: I am a resident of Dorchester County, South Carolina and I am ashamed of my state for proposing these cuts. Everyone knows and should accept the fact that our state and many others are in financial trouble so there must be serious cuts in state services. However, it is completely unacceptable for the painful adjustments made necessary by living beyond our means and the shockingly poor financial planning by our elected representatives to be suffered by citizens for whom the basics of daily living are a struggle. These cuts must not be allowed to stand.Flag
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Name: Kim Bluthardt on Mar 4, 2010Comments: You cannot do this to families.Flag
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Name: Jennifer Vought on Mar 4, 2010Comments: My daughter is now 18 yrs old. 5 1/2 yrs ago she was a bright, funny, beautiful pre-teen girl. In an instant her life changed. She is now non-ambulatory, non-verbal, and requires total care for all aspects of life. I had a very good job at the time and spent a great deal of money on "non-approved" treatments for her to have a better quality of life. I am no longer in the position financially to continue those. In fact, I am not in a position that I can afford to lose my job, which the proposed cuts would do, nor can I afford her supplies should the cuts be made. I have numerous physical health issues from taking care of her the past few years and that has been WITH help of nursing/attendant care. If that is removed, I would not have much future taking care of her solely. It is not only morally and ethically wrong to make these cuts, but is in inhumane! Is this a form of cutting out the "weakest links" in society? Let the ones who can not talk be the first to go? Totally unacceptable!Flag
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Name: Cheserae Elizabeth Martinelli on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Rosemary W. Boling on Mar 4, 2010Comments: Please help us hekp the disabled of our state have a life outside of their homes. These are our young people and they derserve the best we can offer them. They do not deserve to be left in their homes without outside simulation and friends that make up their lives.Flag
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Name: Heather Venesky on Mar 4, 2010Comments: My aunt has MS & she is completely confined to a wheelchair. Her disability is barely enough for her to live on, so if it wasn't for family, she wouldn't be able to make ends meet. Therefore I think it is pretty messed up to cut funds for the disabled, what does the govt expect my aunt, others & their families to do. They don't expect them to do anything because they don't care, its all about the almighty dollar to them. So, I hope a ton of people do have hearts & sign this petition!Flag
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Name: Tracy Wiles on Mar 4, 2010Comments: If you need to fill the gap, do not take this service from the individuals that so desperately need it. Raise the cigarette tax. There are too many families that will lose their employment due to this budget cut to DDSN.Flag
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Name: Donchell Blatch on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: James Gilpatrick on Mar 4, 2010Comments: There must be other areas that SC can cut cost. Why is SC adding an additional burden to families with disabled members. They have enough to deal with, they do not need SC dumping on more burdens.Flag
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Name: Kurt Majors on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Carolyn Webb-Prince on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Becky Egnew on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Courtney Eustace on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Martha Hyman on Mar 4, 2010Comments: Why would we cut benefits that are needed yet allow healthly perrsons abuse the food stamp/unemployment system!! I know 2 persons right off doint this---one has collected unemployment for a year and has worked under the table the entire time!! Another receives Food Stamps ($380.00 mthly) for her and her son--goes to school on a Pell Grant and collects unemployment! She shares her food stamp card with friends and family member which don't live with them because she gets so much---Let's police these systems before cutting DDSN funds! Quit giving so much to the able!!! they can work at McDonald's or cut grass. Our disabled americans Cannot!!!Flag
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Name: Marie Williford on Mar 4, 2010Comments: I provide service for several DDSN clients through the MRDD waiver. If these funds and services are cut , these clients can no longer attend our program and their famiies will be faced with making some very difficult decisions concerning their care. Medical Adult Day Care Programs across the state of SC service MRDD waiver clients and their families on a daily basis. The cost of Medical Adult Day Care is far less than institutional care for this population. Cutting funding for DDSN in the areas of community programs is not a very wise choice for the State of SC , because if community program funding is cut for this population , then they will have no where else to turn to but to institutional care which will cost the state BILLIONS of dollars in the long run.Flag
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Name: Kyle Bluthardt on Mar 4, 2010Comments: I can't believe this!!Flag
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Name: Joe Fox on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Deborah Barrett on Mar 4, 2010Comments: My nephew currently goes to an adult facility for daytime care but lives at home with his parents. His parents would not be able to work and this would greatly impact their life. What are single parent homes supposed to do? We have to be the voice for the people that don't have one!Flag
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Name: William E. Barrett on Mar 4, 2010Comments: This would deeply inpact my family as our nephew who is profoundly disables currently goes to a day facility and lives at home with his loving parents. Without one of them working, would impact their quality of life. And what are single parents supposed to do? These are our children we're taking about!Flag
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Name: Justin Chancey on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Wendy Moore on Mar 4, 2010Comments: Cutting services to our most vulnerable children, young adults and adults is unacceptable!! The proposal to increase the cigarette tax should be supported to generate additional revenue needed in SC. It IS ethically and morally wrong.Flag
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Name: Mindy Steele on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Patricia Gallagher on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Frankie Delahunty on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Crystal Ross on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Kady Oliver on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Kelly Hallock on Mar 4, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Nilsy Rapalo on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Laurin Gallagher on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Candy Hutto on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Michelle Blackshear on Mar 5, 2010Comments: This is a shame.... I would offer any one in Congress the opportunity to spend a day in my shoes. Take care of my 105 lb (dead weight) 15yr old son with Cerebral Palsy (who cannot walk, talk or care for himself), drive 77 miles one way to stressful job, take care of two more children, clean my house and cook dinner. Just one day!!!!!!!!! The divorce rate among us is more than 50%, a category which I now fall into, apparently it was too much for Mr. Blackshear to bear. So, I do everything on my own as single parent. The State will not even arrest him for Non-Child Support after 2 yrs!!!!!! Due to a lack of funding. Now, the one means I have that allows me to go to work to provide for my children and myself is in jeopardy, Nursing, PT, OT and Respite care. I guess I will have to quit my job, go on welfare and social service!!!!! How pathetic!!!!!!! 5 more people have to rely on State Funds! Yet, the State allowed an employee to STEAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS from the Disability Program... where is that money......we could use it now!!! Please don't get me started!!!!! Michelle Blackshear, proud Motjer of Branden Blackshaer of Summerville SCFlag
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Name: Sean Gallagher on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Tempestt Thompson on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Danielle Faulk on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Tim Hutchison on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Jodi Hortman on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Joslynn Golson on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Cathy Elizabeth O'Shields Stephens on Mar 5, 2010Comments: why cut this for some government officials golf?Flag
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Name: Jessica Lincoln on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Addie Lee on Mar 5, 2010Comments: This will adversely affect my grandson and his loving parents who take such good care of him.Flag
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Name: Brooke Hartig on Mar 5, 2010Comments: Personally, our family has benefited from the services of DDSN, Early Intervention, and Babynet. Our daughter, Olivia, has a rare genetic disorder and delay, but with Early Intervention services she has made significant progress. We have been extremely pleased with all of Olivia’s therapists, and the willingness of our Early Interventionist to help guide us when we need additional services, equipment, etc. Without Jennifer (Olivia’s EI), it would be very difficult for us to coordinate our services and to know exactly what is available to her. By providing Early Intervention, Service Coordination, the Medicaid Waiver, and Respite Care the state of SC will benefit in the following ways: Early Intervention – provides children from birth to age 3 the opportunity to become prepared to enter the public school system. Socially, physically, cognitively, and emotionally, their abilities are assessed so that they can receive intense therapy to help them adjust within the confounds of our society. Cutting Early Intervention will put more stress on an already understaffed public school system, and will send these vulnerable children into the school system unprepared emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively. Service Coordination – helps the parents of children with disabilities know what is available for their children. Service Coordinators act as liaisons and advocates for families and can be present at IEP meetings and other school meetings, etc. Cutting Service Coordination will leave parents uninformed, and children without crucial help that could make the difference in their ability to be productive members of society. Respite Care – For many parents, respite care is the only way that parents are able to work. The only daycare for special needs children (in the Low Country) was closed last year. For other families, respite care provides a much needed break and relaxation time for parents to reconnect with one another. *The divorce rate for parents of children with special needs is much greater than the general population. Cutting Respite Care would increase the unemployment rate, put more strain on already stressful marriages, and decrease the care for individuals with special needs (due to lack of rest for caregivers). Medicaid Waiver – Already the waitlist for children to be on the Medicaid Waiver is about 3 - 4 years long. But, with the waiver, children who are unable to walk can receive assistance with getting a wheelchair. Children who are not potty trained, can receive assistance in purchasing the adult diapers. Children who need assistive technology such as walkers, AFO’s, chair lifts, and special vans for their wheelchairs, can receive help in getting them. Without the Medicaid Waiver, some families may not be able to afford wheelchairs or other assistive technology leaving their children bedridden and unable to participate in activities. The decisions made Friday by The Ways and Means Committee will not only affect our daughter, but the thousands of other children and families in SC. (There are over 3500 special needs kids just in the Tri-county area alone). By cutting the services listed above, not only will the state cost itself more money in the end, it will add to the unemployment rate. Instead of possibly rehabilitating these individuals so that they are productive members of society, it will create a drain on taxpayers dollars and more institutions will need to open to accommodate the influx of citizens who have lost their services, assistance, and opportunity to become the most productive and independent individuals possible.Flag
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Name: Jess G on Mar 5, 2010Comments: This is NOT acceptable!! The disabled of our community are just as deserving as those are who able to speak for themselves!! How dare the government even suggest to cut funding for these people!! There are MANY other ways to cut funding!!!!!! I am appalled that this would even be considered!!! This is just another reason why I lack any faith or trust in this state or this countries government!!! Do NOT cut funding for these people who cannot speak for themselves!!!Flag
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Name: Kristin Kovach on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Briana McLaughlin on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Tyisha Simpson on Mar 5, 2010Comments: i think that they should not do this it going to hurt a lot of family'sFlag
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Name: Channing Proctor on Mar 5, 2010Comments: I work with special needs kids and adults - they and their families need and deserve state support.Flag
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Name: DeShontay Berry on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Samantha Hale on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Orin Mccammon on Mar 5, 2010Comments: Please don't cut funding for disabled!Flag
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Name: Liz Van Faussien on Mar 5, 2010Comments:Flag