by Jim Copeland

It is becoming more difficult to determine what is actually going to happen and this isn’t even going to be about politics.  There has been much press about the special legislative session and the $10 million appropriation.  Emotions are running pretty high.  People are making plans for what services they will receive when they get allocated to the DD Waiver from the waiting list.  In most cases these families have been waiting for at least 3 or 4 years.  These families have been struggling with the demands of providing supports for an individual with developmental disabilities for a much longer period of time.

At a recent meeting with Department of Health personnel, I was informed that there has been no final decision as to the $10 million and how it is going to be expended.  That doesn’t mean that the money will not ultimately be used to allocate people from the waiting list.  It just means to me that no decision has been made.  This is contrary to the majority of opinions that have surfaced on the internet and in coffee shop conversations.  As they say in the south, I don’t have a dog in this fight.  But, I do have feeling that it is absolutely necessary that people receive accurate information.  When you have been living your life with the stress and pressure of having to make arrangements for the care and support of a family member with a disability you begin to look for any sign that help is on the way.

Alta Mira has been that help since 1985.  Albuquerque Special Preschool and Esperanza Para Nuestros Niños were that help prior to that.  We have seen and been involved with lots of stories about that needed help and the impact it made in the lives of families.  We are continually looking for new ways to provide the help to more families.  If you have suggestions about how we might be of help, please feel free to contact me.  If you want to become involved in helping us help others, I would love to talk with you.  I may be reached by e-mail at jcopeland@altamiranm.org or by direct telephone at (505) 366-2117.