Can't afford to care for your disabled kids? Dump 'em at the homeless shelter!

**FlowerWhiskers** · October 28th, 2010, 01:56 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_disabl...eless_shelters

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana's budget crunch has become so severe that some state workers have suggested leaving severely disabled people at homeless shelters if they can't be cared for at home, parents and advocates said.

They said workers at Indiana's Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services have told parents that's one option they have when families can no longer care for children at home and haven't received Medicaid waivers that pay for services that support disabled people living independently.

(...)

State lawmakers said they also have received reports from several people who were told they could always abandon their adult children at homeless shelters.

Rep. Suzanne Crouch, R-Evansville, said she found it "deplorable that people are being told to go to a homeless shelter."

Leaders of several agencies serving homeless people across Indiana could not be reached for comment after business hours Wednesday.

Some parents said homeless shelters have also been suggested — or threatened — as an option by private care providers.

Better than starving them, of course, but still disturbing that this is being proposed as an alternative...

**misssmartypants** · October 28th, 2010, 04:25 AM

I might be killed for this..but its late, and I cant sleep. This is what happens when medical science goes above and beyond saving what couldnt a few decades ago. And add to this the fact that the places that were to take care of these people, fucked up so bad, that they had to be shut down..No one really gives a shit about the disadvantaged. And this shows it. It is inhumane, that when budget cuts have to occur, its always the children and handicapped that get the shitty end of the stick, with of course the ones in power consent.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · October 28th, 2010, 04:44 AM

The suggestion to send adult handicapped children to homeless shelters opens up a whole avenue of financial aid for these people. It's not like they are advocating sending them to live there forever or as a lifestyle. If you have support, you are lower than those without support DUH.

If the people of the great state of Indiana have no more blood to give as taxes, and parents aren't willing to go broke for their own kids, then what else is there to do??? There HAS TO be priorities and those without resources come before those that do.

How sad that those parents are not willing to go broke for their kids that are incapable of doing for themselves. Many parents go broke for their perfectly capable spoiled brats and think nothing of it.

**carolinablue** · October 28th, 2010, 08:38 AM

It's a hideous mess, the whole system! My youngest has been thru the wringer this year with Medicaid; she works with a Down's Syndrome woman who is 26, looks 14 and functions at a 5 year old's level. She has been S's primary caregiver for 5 years; it's what she went to nursing school for...to work with handicapped and/or developmentally disabled people. Both S's parents (who are my age) work full-time and clean houses on the side to make enough to pay for S's special care not covered by Medicaid. This year alone Medicaid has switched providers 3 times on them; the red tape is unbelievable and the gaps in coverage have S's parents frantic. And these are middle class working people who save for their daughter's future. K, my daughter, could make a good living doing something else, but this is what she wants to do with her life...help those who can't help themselves. The agency is not about people, it's about bureaucracy; save a few bucks here and there. This just pisses the hell out of me!

**evervigilant** · October 28th, 2010, 08:57 AM

Why has this come up now? Have parents been neglecting their disabled children because they can't afford to feed them? I'm naturally suspicious I suppose, but this sounds quite ominous to me.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · October 28th, 2010, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by evervigilant

Why has this come up now? Have parents been neglecting their disabled children because they can't afford to feed them? I'm naturally suspicious I suppose, but this sounds quite ominous to me.

The full article says that this has not actually happened that they know of - only that some workers are saying that it has been said as a way to get aid for adults who are handicapped and being cared for by family. It's not like they are saying to send actual children to a shelter. "Kids" in this context are adults in the legal sense.

Once a handicapped person becomes legal age all the rules change. That's where the big problem is coming in. The state does not have the resources to care for all handicapped people and has to prioritize things. People that have family that can step in and help are lower on the "totem pole" than those who are without resources.

The rules are tough enough on their own without the current state economic woes. I have no answer to what should be done but it sucks.

**AngelFire** · October 28th, 2010, 02:03 PM

My mom, who is now disabled due to a traffic accident that left her unable to walk, and is one of these people. Granted she doesn't live in Indiana. But we have tried several times now to obtain Medicaid in her State. She not only had the accident that left her pretty much handicap, but she shortly after, suffered a stroke, now almost 50% of her liver is hardening, and she has never drank in her life. Her Health is not very good and I am afraid it's only a matter of time before I loose her.

Social Services has denied her claim for medical assistance. So what do we do? We pick up the tab, or let her die. I opted to pick up the tab, my two sisters and I pay her rent and food and medical expenses. It's not easy by any means, I have 4 kids, one who is in College and I also support.

The State can only do so much, and if their resources are almost gone. She is MY mother, and not the State's, so my sisters and I, we do what we need to do to make sure our mother gets the care that she needs. So if we have to go broke, we go broke but we will take care of what we regard as our responsibility.

**TwiztidAngel** · October 28th, 2010, 03:23 PM

why isn't any of these disabled adults on SSI? i know it's a long drawn out process but if they were disabled from birth or as children i don't see why they don't get it now...and that includes medicaid...sure would beat abandoning your loved one

**62julietandvoid** · October 28th, 2010, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Mybabiesmomma

My mom, who is now disabled due to a traffic accident that left her unable to walk, and is one of these people. Granted she doesn't live in Indiana. But we have tried several times now to obtain Medicaid in her State. She not only had the accident that left her pretty much handicap, but she shortly after, suffered a stroke, now almost 50% of her liver is hardening, and she has never drank in her life. Her Health is not very good and I am afraid it's only a matter of time before I loose her.

Social Services has denied her claim for medical assistance. So what do we do? We pick up the tab, or let her die. I opted to pick up the tab, my two sisters and I pay her rent and food and medical expenses. It's not easy by any means, I have 4 kids, one who is in College and I also support.

The State can only do so much, and if their resources are almost gone. She is MY mother, and not the State's, so my sisters and I, we do what we need to do to make sure our mother gets the care that she needs. So if we have to go broke, we go broke but we will take care of what we regard as our responsibility.

What state she live in? I know of a few people(including myself) who signed up for ssi JUST TO GET THE HEALTH COVERAGE-no check or nothing. Just apply and they have to give you a temp medical card. I was told to do this. Glad I did because I needed surgery in a bad way. And the low income clinics I had been going to had misdiagnosed the hell out of my condition. I tell you this because I know what it's like being in need of proper medical care and not being able to get it any other way. I was honest with them. Told them I could work so i didn't need a check but I had some medical issues that needed taken care of. After you sign her up go to job and family services and apply for it there, bring yr paperwork from ssi. Here they told me they couldn't do it. I hung up and called Columbus headquarters. As soon as I hung up with them I got a call from the county office saying I'd been approved. They will tell you no, you just gotta go over their head if so. But that is Ohio, not sure elsewhere. Try that and see what happens. Good luck.

**AngelFire** · October 28th, 2010, 04:14 PM

Thanks, someone else told me to talk to a Dsiability Lawyer too. She is in CT so I don't know how that State handles these issues. I just wish I could find her a way to get the care she needs. She is in desperate need of medical care for her liver problem. You guys gave me good ideas, so I think I am in a better position that I was before...It just hard when I am so far away

**Dakota Valkyrie** · October 29th, 2010, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by TwiztidAngel

why isn't any of these disabled adults on SSI? i know it's a long drawn out process but if they were disabled from birth or as children i don't see why they don't get it now...and that includes medicaid...sure would beat abandoning your loved one

The assistance they are talking about is above and beyond piddly ass SSI payments. They are talking about services needed to survive that, if you have money for it, you have to pay out of your pocket for. In-home care/aides or living independently but in a monitored setting (like assisted living or group homes).

If they ended up in a shelter, at least they would be higher up in how "needy" they are (even with SSI).

What severely handicapped person (that the article addresses) can live on SSI and food stamps alone? There are so many other services needed that it is mind-boggling.

My sister, now in her 40's, is severely mentally and physically handicapped. She has lived in a group home for 20+ years. Even with aid from the state of Minnesota, We (her dad, brothers, sisters, and I) have pitched in to cover things needed that the state can not. Minnesota has had massive budget cuts and some things just are no longer funded.

We are lucky that we can do that for her. Many families can not and then what is to happen? I totally get that the state can't pay but it sucks that the least able of our society pay the price.