The South Carolina proposal to cut services for those with disabilities is a criminal act.
I am not surprised, however, that the state would prey on the groups that are most vulnerable in our society and the ones with the least political clout. I am upset and angry that this proposal is even being considered.
I can't speak for all disabilities, though they all deserve to have their services retained, but I can speak for autism because our family has been deeply affected by it.
I understand some services already have been cut for children ages 3-5 who fall on the spectrum. This tragic decision, if it passes, comes at a time when autism numbers are at their highest point (one in 58 boys) and continue to increase.
When will people realize that this autism epidemic is only going to get worse, and people affected need our help now? There is no known cause in sight, although government and health agencies continue to repeat the mantra "We don't know what causes autism, but we know it's not vaccines."
This proposal must not pass in the South Carolina legislature, and we must do everything we can to stop it now.
Maurine Meleck
North Augusta, S.C.
Yes it's so unfair to single out these folks for cuts. Cut EVERYTHING NOW. I note the LTE writer's use of "services" repeatedly without providing detail.
Think of it this way, what would you have done from day one if there were no Government services upon which to rely?
Then do that.
When people put their kids in front of a Cathode Ray Tube or a Video Display Terminal (commonly known as a flat panel TV) and expose them to flashing lights, constantly changing images, and leave them there for hours, do you really expect a child to develop "normally"? In my unqualified opinion, there's your autism cause.... as well as ADD & ADHD.
The basis for my opinion? None of this was in existence before the age of Television.
Ayetidiosi says: "I note the LTE writer's use of "services" repeatedly without providing detail."
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That usually equates to $$$.
Aye, very will factual post and the truth. A child learns more in it first 3 years of life than they do in the next 10. A proven fact.
As long as an individual or group relies on public money, they have to rely on the availability of the money.
Good letter, Maureen. Aye, "TV causes autism"? Really? I wish we would have though of that earlier! I dare say, the majority of kids diagnosed with autism I have worked with did not like to watch TV. They tend to want to do the same things over and over and the unpredictability of TV does not fit in. They may watch a viseo over and over, however. But you are confusing a symptom with the cause. The cause of autism is unknown but it is a neurological disorder that is DEVASTATING to the child and parents. By the way, Nazi Germany began their social services cuts in the same way. Eventually, the disabled were determined to be living "lives not worth living." Don't think we want to start down that road. Provide for the truly needy and cut out payments to those who CHOOSE not to work.
It sounds like the author is very passionate about this cause - obviously her son's benefits are in jeopardy. But I do not think that this is an extremely serious disability. This is not like an adult who was viable & working with 3 children who got into a wreck & is now paralyzed from the neck down.
The government & taxpayers simply cannot fund everything. The vast majority if not all of the burden of raising children must fall on the parents. Sometimes parents have to make hard choices. New car or therapy for my child? You might have to drive a beater for a while so that your son gets the services you feel he needs.
I had a child who was born very, very prematurely. He needed lots of therapy for 2 years. I fought like a rabid dog with our private insurance company and guess what, they paid for a lot of his care (outside their rules & guidelines). I paid for some personally too. Now he is normal and healthy, plays sports, no trace of the early issues. No government necessary.
I agree with ayeti "Heartless? Maybe. Realist? Absolutely. Sacrifices must be made, by all. "
Chillen, I don't think you understand too much about autism. For the majority-it is a life long metabolic illness that affects every organ in their bodie, not just their minds. The numb ers have now reached 1 in every 58 children. If it continues at this rate-in ten years it'll be less than 1 in every 10. In just a few years tens of thousands of these children will be eligible for SSI and for the rest of their lives Guess who will be paying for them--you and I and everyone who pays taxes. Most insurance does not cover autism, unlike your child.(I meant 1 in every 58 boys) It's the fastest growing developmental disability. If we don't help and pay now(and the government I mean too) we will have a much bigger problem on our hands 10 years from now.
msitua, I don't claim to be an autism expert but I do know for a fact that the disability is not at bad as being paralized. As I said, it is not an extremely serious disability.
You bring up a good point, one would have to wonder why insurance companies don't cover it - they cover pretty much every medical condition known to man - including self-induced drug dependency. Do they not consider autism a real illness or condition?
Look at it this way. If the state/govt was forced to cut benefits (because there is NO MORE taxpayer money available) and you were given a choice, would you cut the benefits for autism or cut the benefits for the paraplegics? In this scenario which one would you choose?
People had better get ready to choose what government service they want because it is definitely going to come down to that. And not just for this issue either. Do you want a state park or that road re-paved? Do you want nice school buildings or good teachers? Do you want a new sheriff building or the ability to keep the deputies you currently have on staff to help fight crime? We will be faced with an onslaught of choices in the coming years due to budget woes.
What everyone is missing is that there is no money. The state is going broke. The federal government is already broke. It's now time to make some difficult choices. Services that we have grown accustomed to will no longer be available. It will affect each and every one of us in time. Its the harsh & sometimes cruel reality of the "New Normal". And the whole thing kinda sucks.
Aye, "TV causes autism"? Really? I wish we would have though of that earlier!
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In my unqualified opinion, there's your autism cause
Reading Is Fundamental
The state is going broke. The federal government is already broke. It's now time to make some difficult choices. Services that we have grown accustomed to will no longer be available. It will affect each and every one of us in time. Its the harsh & sometimes cruel reality of the "New Normal". And the whole thing kinda sucks.
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I find the whole thing quite an opportunity. We will never be able to say "you're more disabled than him" or "you're more deserving than him", so cut them ALL off.
Very simple concept: if you must depend on others, you better have a family. You are NOT my family, I didn't ask for you, I didn't create you, and I feel no obligation to support you in your time of need, unless I VOLUNTARILY and DIRECTLY choose to do so.
Heartless? Maybe. Realist? Absolutely. Sacrifices must be made, by all.
I do not doubt that Ms. Meleck is receiving “services” from the taxpayers of South Carolina. But why should she? I don't receive taxpayer-provided services for my diseases. I pay for their treatment myself.
Absolutely Little Lamb. I breed em, I feed em. You breed em, you feed em.
I could almost swear some people have children to maximize the extortion of the Government. I'll stop short of saying some people hope for "disabilities" like ADD, ADHD so they can get even more free gravy.
What a sick society we've become.
Well, you could just do what the Spartans did. They'd just throw those they felt were inferior onto the trash heap and let them die. Ouch! I sound so much like a Conservative.
Try not to see the worst in everyone. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Besides, isn't taking care of the less fortunate the Christian thing to do?
Yes, org, it is absolutely is the Christian thing to do. But the government taking my money to pay for someone else's issues is not Christian charity.
Thanks Chillen. Couldn't have said it any better whatsoever.
In just a few years tens of thousands of these children will be eligible for SSI and for the rest of their lives Guess who will be paying for them--you and I and everyone who pays taxes.
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Au contraire mon frere. We will be broke. Then we can all live in misery together and sing Kum Bayh Uh.
Wow. Just wow. I hope none of you ever have to care for a special needs child, especially one with autism. I don't agree with Ms. Meleck often. My son is autistic, non-verbal, & has a lot of sensory issues, among other things. He currently receives speech and occupational therapy from the state of SC. I wasn't a refrigerator mother, nor does my child sit in front of the TV for hours on end. I can't spank him into being "normal". He will always be autistic, it's not a disease he can recover from. He will always need care. However, the more therapy he receives now, the less help he will need later. My insurance will pay for 10 sessions of speech and occupational therapy a year. Now for a non-verbal child, what good will that do? I have been gainfully employed since I graduated from high school and have NEVER used any state services before now. Believe me, if I could avoid relying on the state I would. Right now, he needs more than I can afford to give him. For the record, I am married with 2 kids, one who is neurotypical, one with autism. My husband and I both work full time. We also have bills to pay, and therapy sessions are expensive. I suggest before you people start mouthing off, you try walking a mile in someone else's shoes.
Mom: what makes you think I haven't?
I would not ask others to do what I haven't done myself, it's not my way.
My second eldest son WAS LD. He is now a HS grad and very gainfully employed by N &W RR. The teachers told me he couldn't learn, I told them to take it and put it where the sun don't shine and homeschooled him.
Not one penny of other people's money was spent. Nada.
Since you opened the door, I'll walk thru it. Quit your job, live a lesser lifestyle, and raise your own kids. Don't expect others to pay for you to do so until you've not another option.
As much as I would like to quit my job, I pay for my families insurance because my husbands job doesn't offer it. If I quit my job we would have 2 kids in the system. While I won't take away from what you did for your child (as you have done to me), a learning disability is NOT the same as a neurological disorder! We DO NOT get SSDI for our son, nor any kind of welfare check. I work hard with my son, but since you OBVIOUSLY have no idea what a child with autism is like, it takes more than just spending extra time hitting the books. Have you ever tried to teach a 3 year old who can't look you in the eyes how to do anything? Have you ever had to spend 20 minutes trying to figure out what your son needs, but since he can't tell you, he just cries in frustration? Could your 3 year old tell you "I don't feel good" or "My head hurts"? Could your 3 year old tell you "I love you"?? Because mine can't! Like I said, if there was another option than relying on the state I would gladly jump on it! Right now, there is NOT another option!! If my son had a learning disability, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. What my son needs is intensive therapy, and I am not trained to give him what he needs. I would encourage you to do some real research into autism. Then look back at your son and see if the comparison can be made. I think you will be surprised at how easy you and your son had it.
Not worth arguing with some of these people and comments. It's obvious they have no understanding of autism and they are not willing to learnApart from that, I also wonder how they think medicare and social security are funded. These are government programs. You are not on your won.
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