Web Page Updated March 18, 2009

Disable Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness petitiononline 

            Mr.Scott G.LaLonde                                                                                                                              

         Petition online: http://www.petitiononline.com/Ord13217/petition.html

            website: http://sglalonde.tripod.com/

            website: http://www.myspace.com/disabledcivilrights 

website: http://groups.myspace.com/pt2disabledcivilrightslifeliberty

            E-mail scottklfl@aol.com              

The Supreme Court has passed a law but government does not want to enforce it. They think if they keep it secret and no one knows what they're entitled to they won't have to do it. They are quite correct but I'm not going to let that happen.  Estimate based on 30% cost of living increase based on fuel costs $12.00  75 extra dollars allotted to centers for independent living for each client based on me receiving 21 hours a week $3.57 Total cost now $40+$12.00+3.57= $55.57 agencies Medicaid was paying $40 an hour for my care for my care providers agencies, care providers are only receiving $10 an hour. Show me where the money went. This is not only for the disabled it is also for the elderly is at all possible staying in the community is better for everyone. It would also provide more jobs for people that need work. In the long term it makes sense and costs less but the government doesn't think the way we do. Right now there is lobbyists asking for more money for nursing homes. I spent 28 days in a nursing home and I was always last on the list they have two certified nursing assistants and one registered nurse RN for approximately 20 patients. And the people that need more care say an hour and a half which is how much care I need in the morning and evening. And I can only move my head it was very difficult to get attention to get the help and care I needed!

Members of the 110th US Congress Campaign Letter, State Governors and Lt. Gov. what have you done to enforce this legal precedents set by the Supreme Court in your state. To make them aware of Nationwide Problem! The Supreme Court Olmstead decision, Presidential mandate Executive Order 13217 of June 18, 2001 Community Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities which are federally funded by Medicaid and Medicare Census 2005 50 million families reporting at least one person with disability in family or more.

Scott G. LaLonde

Petition online: http://www.petitiononline.com/Ord13217/petition.html

November 28, 2007 

All Honorable Presidential Candidates,
                            

November 18, 2007

The Honorable State Governors and Lieutenant Governors Faxed,

November 10, 2007

All Members of the 110th US Congress Faxed,

October 6, 2007

All 100 Honorable Senator Faxed,

August 27, 2007

Honorable Presidential Candidates, senators and representatives, Governor Charlie Crist, Lt. Governor Jeff  Kottkamp, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen18 District of FL, Senator Bill Nelson, Senator Mel Martinez, Rep. Ron  Saunders 120 District of Florida, Larcenia J. Bullard D - FL (39), U.S. House of Rep. FL, 14,16,17,19,20,21,22, 23, 24,faxed.

I am writing about an extreme situation affecting people with disabilities in the State of Florida.  This denial of basic civil rights has led to individuals such as myself who are contributing members of society to be confined to their beds 18-20 hours per day against their will.  I am asking that you as an elected official tell me how you can help to remedy the situation.

I am a 42 year old man with an extreme case of muscular dystrophy known as Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy.  I volunteer at a local elementary school working with young children.  I am a mentor, a friend, and an educator.  I live in my community, I shop here and I play here just like you.  Yet I am dependent upon others for my care as I only have function from my neck up and can not tend to my functions of daily living.  Each day I require assistance to bathe, prepare meals, and to be put into and out of bed.  Because of things such as the Olmstead Decision and Presidential Executive Order 13217, I have been given the right to live in the community and receive services, rather than being institutionalized away from my family and the community.  Medicaid waivers have helped make this a reality for many individuals like myself.  Unfortunately, I fell through the cracks as have many other individuals in my situation.

Even though I was placed on the waiver program, was protected by Presidential Executive Order 13217 which entitles me to care in the community, and dollars were set aside for my care, my county subcontracted out these care services to an organization that only did business from 8:00-5:00 daily.  This meant that I would be taken out of bed in the morning at 8:00 and put back in bed around 4:00 each evening to face 16 hours in that prison.  This is unconscionable. I suffered this unbearable fate for about 8 years and was even forced to pay out of my own pocket if I wanted to get out of bed at all on weekends or on holidays when the agency was closed.

Recently I was placed on another program known as CDC+ which is working well for my care and puts more choice and decision with the individual.  However I can not remain quiet as so many others still face the awful fate that I endured for 8 years.  Even worse Governor Charlie Crist is now cutting the waiver programs so that many people are being forced off or will have reductions in care.  I want to know what you will do to stop these cuts, and also to ensure that those who are on the Medicaid Waiver program will have care that goes beyond the 8:00-5:00 Monday-Friday schedule and that no one will be forced against their will to spend 16 hours per day in bed.  I eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,

Scott G. LaLonde