By JERRY WOLFFE
Becky Richey and her husband Jon have seen summer camp and
respite eliminated for their teenage son and daughter who each have autism.
It hurts, Becky Richey said. She added, however, she
understands the recent cutbacks in general funds by the Michigan Legislature leaves the nonprofits
that serve those with disabilities or mental illness with no choice but to try and make the least painful cuts.
“You can’t cut ... funding for those with
disabilities and expect them to do as well,” said Richey, 48, of Clarkston in
reference to her son, Jacob, 16, and daughter, Hannah, 17.
“We as a country aren’t thinking about those in society who
are most vulnerable.”
The Richey family lost respite and Scamp, a camp her
teens could go to five days a week for five weeks during the summer. Jacob had
gone to Scamp for 11 years but it is not likely next summer.
During camp which is held between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., some 200
to 300 children with disabilities divide up into groups, get a “buddy,” and go
boating, fishing, swimming, to the movie or on nature walks, Bechy said.
The family used to get 12 hours per week in respite, or six
hours each child.
Those who are eligible for Medicaid are still getting
respite, said Bechy, but her family doesn’t qualify for the federal program.
“We would look at how we would use respite to see what services our children needed to have the
best possible life. Funding cuts will
affect my children’s long-term development and socialization.”
She said respite was halted Sept. 1, or a month before the
2014-15 fiscal year began.
Jerry Wolffe is the
writer-in-residence, advocate-at-large for the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center.
He can be reached at 586 263 8950.
