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Mary Johnson
Age: 31
From: Kansas City, Wyandotte County
Impact of Budget Cuts: Loss of HCBS/PD waiver services, Cuts in vision services
LOC Score: 24
Senator: David Haley (4th)
Representative: Broderick Henderson (35th)
Mary says the cuts are going to affect her in many ways and have created many fears. Mary is not only blind, but she is also trying to raise two children. Her elderly mother helps out as much as she can, but because of her age, Mary does not know how much longer her mother might be able to help or what she is going to do when her mother dies.
Cuts in transportation will especially affect Mary. Not being able to access transportation to get to medical appointments will only make untreated medical conditions worse.
Mary needs minimal assistance for basic needs. If Mary would fall, her children would have to call the ambulance, which she would not be able to pay. Cuts in vision assistance are really going to affect her ability to seek medical assistance for her eyesight that is slowly getting worse. Mary worries about cuts in medication assistance as well. Mary's biggest fear is that she will lose her children.
Vervie Davis
Age: 62
From: Kansas City, Wyandotte County
Impact of Budget Cuts: Loss of HCBS/PD Waiver Services
LOC Score: 22
Representative: Bonnie Sharp (31st)
Senator: Chris Steineger (6th)
When Vervie Davis heard about cuts in the HCBS/PD
waiver services, she responded, "A whole lot of people need
this program, why can't they cut something
else?" Vervie has been on the HCBS/PD waiver
program for over 5 years. Vervie is in constant pain
and walks with assistance of others and uses a cane on
occasion.
Vervie has been able to live independently when she received help with personal hygiene, and other basic needs such as bathing. Getting in and out of the shower is a chore and requires the help of another person. Because of the constant pain, she can't sit, stand or lay down for any length of time. Vervie is routinely hospitalized for special nerve block treatments to help with pain management.
Vervie states that she does not know how she is going to make it. She points out that she takes 11 different types of medications and shots for pain. Vervie is concerned that she will end up in a nursing facility, which will cost the State more money in the long run. "I thought that the State wanted to save money during tough budget times?" Vervie stated.
Nichole Fair l Contents l Marrianne Fisher/Beverly Saunders
Statewide Independent Living Council of
Kansas
www.silck.org
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