April 5, 2009

I am writing to you to make a plea for my beautiful daughter, Kelly, who is almost twenty-six years old. She has Down syndrome and many medical challenges. She cannot say these words for herself, so I am writing to you as her voice. Kelly works at the University of Arizona and is a taxpayer. She votes in each election. We are counting on you, as our district representative, to share our voices with your peers in both the District Representative and Senate Houses.

The budget cuts have already made a huge impact on my daughter’s life. The Division of Developmental Disabilities has discontinued all financial subsidies towards her rent. She lives in her own apartment, with a roommate without a disability – a roommate of her choice. Because of her medical involvement and other safety issues, Kelly needs daily supports to live her life. She loves her life.

With any more budget cuts, it is probable that she would have to move back home with her mom and dad. As a young adult, she would hate this! We picture her becoming quite depressed at this option. Then what? My husband or I quit our jobs to care for her? My husband and I have tried to dream with our daughter since her birth. We have tried to plan her life so she can live with dignity and respect; so she can continue to live her dreams if something ever happens to us. We are afraid for her future.

It saddens us to think of all the lives that could be so negatively affected by these proposed budget cuts. With all these cuts, are we taking steps back in time? There is plenty of research, that it is not less expensive to group people together. Do people’s quality of life matter? If this were your child, what would you be dreaming of for his or her future? What would you be fighting for? There has to be another way than taking food from people’s mouths. We support the budget plan that the Democratic Party has proposed; a plan that makes sense and is fair. It is a plan that is respectful of all people.

Thank you for supporting and valuing all people. Thank you for being Kelly’s voice. We appreciate you, and everything you can do to help others do the right thing.

Respectfully,
Cathy Sweeney
Cathy Sweeney “Kelly’s mom”
700 N. Northern Vista Pl.
Tucson, AZ 85748
(520) 235-2405
ksweeney2@cox.net