Supporting Developmentally Disabled Funding

came together in annapolis today. the goal — to open the eyes of legislators — to the potential devastation that could come with proposed budget cuts. 47 abc’s kelly rule has the story. 10;55;50 without my direct supporters i don’t think id be here today 10;55;55 track 1 marylanders with intellectual — to developmental disabilities — fighting for support in annapolis on thursday. many — at the hands of their direct support staff — to show exactly what would happen — if they could no longer afford those caretakers. 11;10;26 we would not be able to come here advocate and we would not be able to pursue our dreams 11;10;33 track 2 under maryland’s new budget proposal – planned funding would be cut in half over the next four years- for united needs and disabilities in salisbury alone — that’s a 400-thousand dollars loss just this year. 10;43;47 those reductions at the same time that minimum wage is increasing is going to make it very very challenging 10;43;54 10;51;19 it’s hard enough to get good people to care for someone with such great needs 25 let alone not pay them a raise they were promised 10;51;27 track 3 and the cuts — couldn’t come at a worse time. currently — there are 8-thousand people on a waiting list for state services. kathy knott has been on that list for 2 years — after she was forced to quit her job to make sure her niece has round-the-clock care. 10;55;23 i’m living in essential poverty 10;55;24 butt sot 10;55;26 i’m at risk to lose my home but her care comes first 10;55;32 track 4 advocates are pushing for 9 million dollars to just to restore funding for next year plus an additional 3 million to help those most in need on the waiting list. but first they’re making sure legislators understand their need. 11;12;37 do we want community inclusion for all citizens of the state of maryland or do we not 11;12;41 10;57;53 i’m begging, begging, just give these families a chance 56 because we need to take care of these children 10;57;59 track 5 kelly rule…47 abc. advocates also individually met with legislators today — and attended a budget hearing with a senate committee — to push for awareness. for the latest updates on this — or other