Story Published: Jul 7, 2010 at 10:09 PM PDT
Story Updated: Jul 7, 2010 at 10:09 PM PDT
Four-year-old Amber, who survived a double-lung transplant two years ago, will lose her in-home state care because of state budget cuts.
SALEM, Ore. - Oregon’s budget cuts have left some of the state’s disabled without their state in-home care, and a small group of protesters came to the steps of the Capitol Wednesday to voice their concerns.
The protesters only numbered about a dozen, a far cry from the armies of protesters who’ve descended on the Capitol in the past. But they are passionate about fighting for their services and are begging the state not to cut their children’s critical services.
“We’re going up against an army of politicians and statewide capital people,” said Ron Absoe.
He and Christy Battazzo are fighting against the elimination of state in-home care for their 4-year-old disabled daughter, Amber, who survived a double-lung transplant two years ago.
“She means everything,” Ron said. “I would die for her right now.”
“I work hard, and I pay my taxes,” said Christy. “And it seems like when I need something small, or some sort of assistance from the state, I should be able to get it.”
About 1,500 disabled Oregonians will lose in-home care because of the budget cuts. In Amber’s case, that will mean losing the medically trained caregivers who come to her house 38 hours a week.
“It’s about the almighty dollar right now, and it shouldn’t be,” Ron said.
Christy works nights as a registered nurse, and Ron is going to school to become a corrections officer. Amber’s state in-home care allows Ron to study and Christy to sleep.
“Me and Mom may end up losing a job because of this,” Ron said. “It’s just not having the funding and having to put her in special day care.”
Amber needs to be tube-fed, given medication through an IV and lifted from her wheelchair. Still, her parents said they won’t stop fighting to keep her happy at home.
“She’s a huge blessing to us,” Christy said. “She’s taught us so much about being human, and it’s the least I can do is make a statement and say that these kids deserve our support.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services said they had to eliminate disabled services because under the law they couldn’t cut money from another part of their budget.
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