I now live in a state where the governor believes that providing Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers who are less than 50% delayed is “financial recklessness.”
Early Intervention has been my lifeline, my saving grace, my hope that if we can get her started on the right path, she can accomplish her dreams. And though the path will be challenging, there has been support and structure and light for our journey.
However, my child is not more than 50% delayed.
In the proposed budget, presented today by our newly elected governor, my child would lose her therapy services.
My child, who has just mastered crawling on hands and knees while her peers are starting to walk.
My child, who has just barely begun to sip from a straw while her peers are long off the bottle.
My child, who is miles from any words, while her peers have begun saying Mama and Daddy and other first words for weeks.
My child, who ate pudding on her first birthday because she cannot manage solids while her peers fed themselves their own birthday cake.
My child, who has come so far and has worked tirelessly for every. single. milestone.
I literally feel as though I am going to throw up.
Life is not fair. I have never expected it to be. But I’m angry. Livid. Because this isn’t just about me and my family – it is about society and values and about being a human being.
I want out. Out of this state. I want to throw a tantrum and yell and kick and scream. And then I want to strap Tessa in her car seat and drive on over to the governor’s mansion and interrupt his lovely dinner to ask him a few direct questions. When did we decide that it is just fine not to take care of our own?? When did we decide that it is dandy to cut from our most vulnerable of citizens who live in families (like mine) that otherwise cannot afford to provide them with the therapy services that they need?? Why is that okay with ANYBODY??
My direct statement to my family and friends who voted this man into office (because I know you are many) – is that I am begging and pleading for your support in fighting this proposal. It is not what is best for our children. It is not what is best for our state. You elected him into office and he is now dismantling every support that my family relies on – I urge you, please contact your representatives and ask them to fight these changes to Early Intervention. This cannot move forward.
End rant. For now.
The first trek out was considerably calmer than the afternoon madness.
Yo soy La Lay 