Growing up I never thought of my relationship with my younger brother, Shaun, as any different from those shared by brothers. I never recall looking at him any differently or my parents showing him any more or less attention because of his disability.

Around the age of five Shaun was diagnosed as autistic with impulse control disorder. Instead of looking at our families' situation as strange, I was struck by all the wonderful things that made him special rather than different - from his great memory that had a knack for recording every last minute detail of an event to his love for any movie that had music in it.

Click here to read the rest of Tim's story. 

This week's Notes from the Arc.

The House has ended its debate on budget amendments pertaining to disability accounts. Thanks for your hard work calling and emailing your representatives asking them to support disability amendments!
 
Minor changes were made to disability accounts in the final House budget compared to the House Ways and Means version. Changes include language that requires the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to ensure that the autism waiver is fully enrolled.Click here to read more.

Every year the state budget undergoes several  steps prior to being finalized.  In each branch of the legislature, a ways and means committee is responsible for its respective budget.  The committee crafts a budget for the consideration of the entire House.  Much feedback and consultation goes into this process.  The Committee’s budget is debated prior to a vote and many amendments are offered. Click here to read more. 

Our son Robert is extremely vulnerable to being taken advantage of and is unable to safely care for himself. We need to take the lead in many decisions made on his behalf regarding his care and welfare whether a complex decision about his supports or his medication for a health condition.   Despite that, there is no state agency to serve my son when he becomes an adult. He has even been denied eligibility for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).