Here is the latest KC Star Letter to the Editor - Nov. 19, 2009
‘A wonderful influence’
A hearty congratulations to Sarah Sherman and all those who helped her along the path towards induction into the National Honor Society (11/13, A1, “Big smiles for a big honor”). Sarah is a shining example of the new philosophy of parents and schools in partnership — parents working in tandem with teams of educators in support of the student’s unique talents is paying dividends for all involved.
With her work as a peer mentor and her 40 hours of community service, Sarah is a contributing member to her school and community. Sarah shows us that people with Down syndrome need not be relegated to just receiving services from others.
The Down Syndrome Guild routinely references the peer mentor program at Blue Valley North High school when presenting best practices for educating students with Down syndrome.
And how is Sarah faring as a tutor? I can tell you that with Sarah’s help, my son Jack Murphy is maintaining an A average in Earth and Space Science. Sarah is a wonderful influence on us all.
Bridget Murphy
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Latest JCDS Newsletter
Click HERE to read the latest Images, the Johnson County Developmental Supports newsletter!
Another KC Star Letter to the Editor regarding the DD waiting list
Article was published Nov. 17, 2009
Where’s the compassion?
The Star recently published a column regarding funding cuts for children and adults with disabilities (11/8, Opinion, “When the state fails the neediest”). Shame on our elected officials in Kansas. How can they be so insensitive to this problem?
We would encourage them to spend a day with one of the thousands of families on the waiting list for services. They would find families in crisis with no one to care for their adult children after they exit high school. Some parents have quit their jobs to stay home with their children. They cannot leave them for lack of someone with the skills to care for them. They need someone who understands sign language or how to handle a 14-year-old with a feeding tube. These are very real situations.
We spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for early intervention and programs in school, yet we forget about people with disabilities after high school.
Our elected leaders need to lead with compassion and with smart decisions so everyone gets an opportunity to live and work to their fullest potential.
Mimi and Jack Nagle
Overland Park
Where’s the compassion?
The Star recently published a column regarding funding cuts for children and adults with disabilities (11/8, Opinion, “When the state fails the neediest”). Shame on our elected officials in Kansas. How can they be so insensitive to this problem?
We would encourage them to spend a day with one of the thousands of families on the waiting list for services. They would find families in crisis with no one to care for their adult children after they exit high school. Some parents have quit their jobs to stay home with their children. They cannot leave them for lack of someone with the skills to care for them. They need someone who understands sign language or how to handle a 14-year-old with a feeding tube. These are very real situations.
We spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for early intervention and programs in school, yet we forget about people with disabilities after high school.
Our elected leaders need to lead with compassion and with smart decisions so everyone gets an opportunity to live and work to their fullest potential.
Mimi and Jack Nagle
Overland Park
KC Star Letter to the Editor
Article was published Nov. 15, 2009
Waiting list for services
The Star ran a column on Danielle Bryant and her family (11/8, Opinion, “When the state fails the neediest”). Danielle is a person with a developmental disability that qualifies her to receive services from the state of Kansas. But due to a shortage of funds, she and many others are placed on a waiting list. It is a frustrating situation.
The same problem exists in Missouri, where nearly 5,000 people with developmental disabilities are waiting for needed services, often for many years. Elderly parents struggle to give loving care to adult children, often including bathing and dressing them, while worrying about the future and waiting. Young people transition from the school system only to find that there is no funding to continue services. They must wait, and wait.
It seems odd that the government can find money to provide services to people in this country illegally but can’t find money for natural-born citizens with developmental disabilities. If we are unwilling to protect and serve those unable to care for themselves, one wonders about our national values.
I urge legislators from both Kansas and Missouri to provide adequate funding of services for people with developmental disabilities and eliminate the waiting list.
Mike Hanrahan
Cameron, Mo.
Waiting list for services
The Star ran a column on Danielle Bryant and her family (11/8, Opinion, “When the state fails the neediest”). Danielle is a person with a developmental disability that qualifies her to receive services from the state of Kansas. But due to a shortage of funds, she and many others are placed on a waiting list. It is a frustrating situation.
The same problem exists in Missouri, where nearly 5,000 people with developmental disabilities are waiting for needed services, often for many years. Elderly parents struggle to give loving care to adult children, often including bathing and dressing them, while worrying about the future and waiting. Young people transition from the school system only to find that there is no funding to continue services. They must wait, and wait.
It seems odd that the government can find money to provide services to people in this country illegally but can’t find money for natural-born citizens with developmental disabilities. If we are unwilling to protect and serve those unable to care for themselves, one wonders about our national values.
I urge legislators from both Kansas and Missouri to provide adequate funding of services for people with developmental disabilities and eliminate the waiting list.
Mike Hanrahan
Cameron, Mo.
Waiting list wake-up call: KC Star editorials
The Kansas City Star ran two compelling editorials on Nov. 8 about the DD waiting list in Kansas. Click HERE to read the first and HERE to read the second. The waiting list is one of the most important issues that DD advocates have been fighting to eliminate. Contact your legislator today and ask them to vote to eliminate the waiting list in 2010.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Who knew that numbers had a "look"?
PERCEPTIONS The drawings of Daniel Tammet, above, who wrote the 2007 book “Born on a Blue Day,” about living with autism, show how he visualizes some numbers
Monday, November 2, 2009
Guardianship Informational Session Nov. 5
On November 5, the Kansas Guardianship Program is holding an informational session from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the County Administration building. Families are encouraged to attend to learn more about guardianship and basic procedures involved in pursuing guardianship.
The County Administration building is located at 111 South Cherry Street, in Olathe, KS. The meeting will be held in Room 200.
For more information, please contact Peggy Shear at 913.826.2502.
The County Administration building is located at 111 South Cherry Street, in Olathe, KS. The meeting will be held in Room 200.
For more information, please contact Peggy Shear at 913.826.2502.
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