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Advocate Susan Senator condemns Massachusetts budget cuts
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Ms. Susan Senator is the proud mother of three boys. Her oldest, Nat, will be 20 in a little over a week. He has “fairly severe” autism. Ms. Senator has been advocating for people with developmental disabilities since Nat was born. The avid writer says “I'm usually working on a book or some other writing project.” She's completed two books on autism and family life, Making Peace with Autism, and The Autism Mom's Survival Guide. Both are available through Amazon. She maintains a blog that she updates regularly that also deals with autism issues. She teaches English at Suffolk University and gives talks on autism and family issues. Additionally, she finds time to be active in The PT0 andserve as a town meeting member, Lastly, she belly dances for her “own sanity.”
Although many in the Massachusetts disability community considered the budget cuts less severe than expected, Ms. Senator disagrees. “The disability community did not "get off easy" because the cuts will still be a big problem for some! I noticed that local aid, on the other hand, took far less of a hit. I don't feel all that grateful.” she said. Continuing, she added, “there is no fat in the budget Nothing left to trim there. In fact there are still who have not received housing or services when they are in need! So now, it's time to raise taxes, rather than cut at all.”
There is still a great need for respite funding for families, and that was gutted recently. Parents need a break sometimes and now that will be much harder.” Adequate housing is a big problem for individuals with developmental disabilities, as it is people with many kinds off disabilities. “Many developmentally disabled adults living with their aging parents. That is a recipe for disaster. What will happen when those parents cannot deal with their adult child anymore, or when the parents die? And now there will be even more cases like this, even with "minor" cuts.” Ms. Senator said.
Individuals who have a place to live “need appropriate day programs and job supports.” she added. “We have all of these people coming through the public schools, receiving supports and educations, and then suddenly the supports lessen or are dropped just because they turn 22. How is that fair or even a wise way to invest resources?” Perhaps the lawmakers should consider the people who will be affected, before they decide to cut or eliminate services that may be lifesaving for individuals with developmental disabilities or any other other citizen.
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