KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | Senior citizens and disabled say cuts would be devastating
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YAKIMA--Two disadvantaged groups join to protest cuts in Gov. Christine Gregoire's preliminary budget.
Dozens of senior citizens and developmentally disabled people came together at Entrust Community Services in Yakima to speak out about cuts in the governor's early budget.
Bill and Sue Gillespie care for the 37-year-old developmentally disabled daughter Kelly. They're able to take her to places like Entrust for physical and occupational therapy, and also to socialize with others.
"These services are necessary," Bill Gillespie said. Cuts would take hours from the nurses and therapists who help Kelly and thousands of others throughout the state. Bill hopes the budget doesn't come to pass.
"We don't want to shutter away our handicapped, our developmentally disabled, our elderly and say, 'You don't matter,'" Gillespie said.
The cuts would eliminate home care for 1,000 seniors and people with disabilities, along with cutting health benefits for caregivers.
Programs like Basic Health and Meals on Wheels are also on the chopping block.
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