Testimony by Dixie Frantz

Dixie Frantz, parent of a severely disabled adult, provided written testimony before the Texas State House of Representatives Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee on February 16, 2011 regarding Article II of HB1 (House proposed budget).

Reprinted with permission from Dixie Frantz.

Mimi

I am here today as a parent of a disabled child from Kingwood, Texas.  It is my hope to put a face on just one of the most vulnerable in our society who cannot speak for herself in hopes that you will reconsider budget cuts being proposed to Texas Health & Human Services Commission funding for Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs, such as Home & Community-based Services (HCS).

Our middle child, Melanie, was born with cerebral palsy 26 years ago.  We don’t know why, she just was. My husband of 38 years and I also have two other children, both productive, taxpaying members of society.  Katie has a master’s degree and works in the education field, and Ricky was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force right before Christmas.

And then there is our little angel, Melanie (we call her “Mimi”).  A photograph is attached to my testimony since it would have been a great hardship to bring her here today.  Here is a list of things she cannot do:  she cannot read or write, walk, brush her teeth or hair, or bathe herself.  She has a vocabulary of 252 words.  I know this because I have counted them all.  She speaks in one and two word phrases.  She cannot be left home alone EVER.  Mentally, she is about 4 years old.  That means lots of Sponge Bob Square Pants and Wheel of Fortune.  Oh, and she is not toilet trained.  Yes, I’ve been changing diapers for 26 years and that is very difficult for me to say here.  She has been on the HCS waiting list for 6-1/2 very long years.

However, in spite of these difficulties, Mimi is a positive force in her community.  She gives the best hugs.  She loves people and going to the movies, church every Sunday, out to eat, and the mall.  She loves her family and we adore her.  Oh, and she loves going to what she calls the “Center.”  Every morning when I get her ready for the day, I ask her, “Mimi what do you want to do today?”  Her reply is always the same, she says, “Center” … even on the weekends.

The Village Learning Center is a wonderful day center in our community that gives Mimi a place to thrive, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Her favorite day of the week is Tuesday when her class goes bowling.  At the center, she also loves going to the movies, exercise and dancing at a local dance studio, participating in cooking class, arts & crafts, bingo, music therapy, learning new skills and so much more.  The Village Learning Center allows a safe and accepting place to belong in her own community.

The center also gives me a chance to be normal: I can hold a part time job, go to the grocery store, workout at the Y, go to doctor’s appointments, and volunteer at our church on Wednesday, which is where I make prayer quilts for the sick and dying in our parish.  With Mimi I cannot do these things.

Our most vulnerable Texas citizens deserve to live in their own homes and communities aided by programs that are already in place, such as the Village Learning Center, but are in jeopardy of being slashed, burned and closed down because of possible state budget cuts.  Studies show that the disabled living in their own communities, with supports, are happier, healthier, and safer.  By far, they are also less of a cost burden than the State School model.  I pray that you consider the welfare of disabled adults like Mimi by saving our “Center” and accelerate funding for those on the HCS waiting list.

Thank you for your time.

Dixie Frantz