by JENNIFER BISHOP

On August 26, the Maryland Board of Public Works voted to approve a 24 million dollar budget cut for services for people with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Yet, the zoo was spared.

Here’s a list of all the recent cuts.

Yes, we should all share the pain of budget cuts– all of us who are able bodied and share some of the same basic human options for adaptation, that is. But when already-underfunded community services for the severely disabled are cut, the need for basic care is shifted to state institutions, hospitals, and Medicaid.

In the long run, this will cost the state more than they saved up front, while diminishing quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens. It’s a lose/lose situation.

If you object to this, like I do, call the Governor’s office at 410-974-3901 and tell him so. He needs to hear from us.

You can also get more information, read how this might impact just one agency, and learn who else to call or write, here.

Maryland is one of the very worst states– 43rd out of 50– in prioritizing spending on services for people with disabilities– a long-term problem of insufficient funding for years which puts our citizens with disabilities in a particularly vulnerable position. Add the perspective that every state is struggling with too-long waiting lists and you realize how far we must come to meet the needs of this population.

There is a national strategy afoot to add services for the developmentally disabled to the proposed national health plan, which, if approved, could alleviate the need for waiting lists by making basic care for those with developmental disabilities an entitlement. You can sign a petition for this solution here.