Meeting with Gov. Otter

I was one of the people that got an opportunity to meet with Idaho's Gov. "Butch" Otter when he was up here to visit on December 17th, 2008. I spoke to him about the recent decisions to cut Medicaid hours from 30hrs/week down to just 22hrs/week. This cut will have a dramatic effect on all those involved and I wanted to make sure that I tried to do as much as I could to hopefully change their minds.

The Governor listened to me as I spoke about Jamison, and why him and others like him so desperately need these hours. He told me what any one would think he would... he told me that "in these times" and so on about the state of our economy right now.

My question really now is if you take away these precious hours they need now when they are children, isn't the government going to be paying even more to help disabled adults, rather than help these children now and hopefully prevent even more spending in the future because they never got all of the assistance they needed when their brains were still developing and taking in so much more than if they were adults! These are the most critical years and yet they are considering cutting nearly 25% of their hours!!

After I spoke with the Governor they wrote a story in The Coeur d'Alene Press where it mentions both Jamison and I. It really made me happy to know that at least someone heard me, and someone felt strongly enough about my speech to recognize it. Now let's just hope that the Government really heard!


Like I said before, it is so important to make yourself heard. It doesn't take much out of your life to make a difference, even a small one. If we all did it, can you imagine the effect! Write to your Government Officials about your Medicaid hours being cut!!

Suckers Please!!

Jamison is learning so quickly I can't even believe it. I know that I haven't updated this in a little while and I'm probably forgetting many things, but his newest accomplishment is signing "please" when he wants a sucker!! It appears that he thinks "please" actually means sucker, but it's amazing that he's even doing this sign because we have never taught him that. He just picked it up from watching the other children at school sign "please"!


I am so proud of my little guy. He is coming so far and I know that his progress will surly continue! I am saddened however at the recent 1% cut backs through Medicaid that will be taking his hours from 30hrs/week down to 22hrs/week. Since he only qualifies for this amazing opportunity for 3 years total, it is sad to know that they are even cutting that down further. I know that I should be thankful for any hours at all with these amazing therapists, but to have the hours and then have some of them taken away just breaks my heart.

Please contact your appropriate Government officials if you are dealing with your Medicaid hours being cut also for DT or IBI Therapy. They can't help us if we don't make ourselves heard!!