StarTribune.com
eday010808

Home | Opinion Exchange | Letters

Letter of the day: State must keep its promise to the disabled

Last update: January 7, 2008 - 6:01 PM

In the 1960s, Minnesota made a courageous and proper decision. That decision was to move people with disabilities out of institutions and into community life.

Forty years ago, these large institutions were used to warehouse children and adults with disabilities. Their lives were grim. Most were safe but not thriving. Loneliness was an everyday challenge, and productivity, education and relationships were sadly often nonexistent.

Thankfully, the good people of Minnesota saw this sad reality for their neighbors with disabilities and created group homes -- a new model that was less expensive and based in the community. Disabled citizens began to thrive with roommates and staffs that could give more attention and care. Most important, people with disabilities gained new friends and opportunities to add their own unique gifts to our society.

The last of the warehoused citizens moved into a group home in the 1990s. Life was good and Minnesota was right to help people be productive and to encourage relationships with their society and with friends.

In 2003, however, people with disabilities suffered a huge blow. Due to state budget cuts, the funding source for group homes (waivered services) dried up. Suddenly, a waiting list of 5,000 emerged for Minnesotans yearning to live independently in the community. Now, the only way for a person with disabilities to receive funding for independent living is for his or her parent to become incapacitated or die.

The promises of the 1960s are now broken and dead. Nothing is being done. Change needs to happen and no one from either party seems to care.

As our legislators begin a new session in February, my question is this: Will anyone speak for our most vulnerable and help to create a plan to mend the broken promise?

BISHOP CRAIG E. JOHNSON, MINNEAPOLIS;

MINNEAPOLIS AREA SYNOD OF THE ELCA

Recent Letters stories

Readers Write for Sunday, Sept. 27 - January 7, 2008
Readers Write for Sunday, Sept. 27 - In all the talk about the assumed exorbitant costs of health care reform proposals currently on the table, I have three questions that I have not heard addressed: More

Comment on this story   |   Be the first to comment   |  Hide reader comments

Subscribe
Streamlining Minnesota

New ideas for the public sector

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME to create a more efficient Minnesota. Facing large budget deficits at the state, county and local levels, Minnesotans are seeing with new clarity that the public sector must adapt to new economic realities. Only the smartest, most strategic reinvention will ensure that our tax dollars are spent on the best programs and services. Read more

About Opinion Exchange

Opinion Exchange is produced by the Editorial Department, which is dedicated to hosting the discussion on a range of issues of interest to Star Tribune readers online and in print. In its new format, it's our hope that Opinion Exhange will create a more dynamic dialogue between Star Tribune readers and the Editorial Board. Many individual posts will be written and signed by members of the Editorial Board and will reflect their own opinions. Daily editorials will continue to represent the institutional voice of the newspaper and be researched and written by the Editorial Department, which is independent of the newsroom.

Subscribe to RSS|Learn more about RSS

Follow Opinion Exchange on Twitter Do you use Twitter? Follow Opinion Exchange.

Shopping + Classifieds
Cars: Get A Quote

Get a Quote!

Price out the perfect vehicle for you. Select features and options.

Win tickets, and maybe a $100 gift certificate, for the opening night party (Nov. 21) of the MCAD Annual Art Sale.

Vita.mn presents the Minneapolis College of Art and Design Annual Art Sale at MCAD, Nov. 20-21.

See all contests