BDC

                So, New York State wants to close Broome Developmental Center  (and the State Psychiatric Hospital).  They say its for sound reasons.  Most people around here are up in arms about it one way or the other.   I can understand everyone's concerns, BUT here's a parent's take on the idea.

                 IT SUCKS. BIG TIME.  I understand some of New York State's reasons. Not all of them mind you.  I don't believe we need to close services to our most vulnerable residents just so some company or rich a$$hole doesn't have to pay a cent in taxes.  I'm a capitalist. I don't mind people making money as long as I don't have to act as if said money is  sacred.   I especially cannot stand tax evaders.  And just because your pet lobbyist managed to convince lawmakers to make your tax evasion legal does not make it not be tax evasion.  It just makes politicians hookers.

               Now, when you say you want keep people at home and move them out of institutions, great!  I'm all for people being comfortable and safe in their own homes.  Everyone deserves that.  And we should not keep the centers open just to provide jobs.  It is not the job of the disabled to make jobs for others. But here comes the big BUT.  BUT  THEY WILL STILL NEED SERVICES, SPECIALIZED SERVICES THAT YOU HAVE NOT MADE PROVISIONS TO PROVIDE FOR.  And we do not trust you do so.  You have a long history of making promises to the vulnerable that you do not keep.  Everyone remembers the mentally ill being tossed into the streets without their medications or any help.  And now, it looks like you doing the same damn thing all over again. Only this time, you doing it to the disabled.  Including disabled children.  My child is already not receiving specialized care she needs because you have decided to be frankly, a bunch of cheap bastards.  Seriously, she was getting to the see the specialists she needed and getting the services they provide, when you took the option of taking her out of state away.   The specialists here CANNOT proivide the care she needs.  Because by the way, you will not allow it.  You will not let her get botox treatments without anesthesia.  She cannot have anesthesia without certain tests that we have not been able to get done.  And btw, she has reacted badly and gotten gravely ill due to anesthesia before.  So, in effect, you have simply made impossible for her to get the medical care she needs.  All so you can trumpet your cost saving measures.  But how much does it have to cost our children so some rich business does not have to pay a tax.  I pay my taxes. Why are they exempt?  (And don't parrot that "job creator" nonsense.  Businesses only create jobs when they have no choice. They don't want to create costs and employees are a cost for them.  If profit equaled jobs we would be awash in jobs right now.  Profits for companies are a fifty year high.  Jobs are not. Ergo, the equation is not true.)

                  And this doesn't even begin to question the services that can be only found at a BDC in the area at all.  Where are these kids going to get services like aquatherapy??  These therapies aren't games for us, its not an extracurricular activity.  These therapies are the difference between a life of dependence or independence.  How dare you take them away?!?

                    And what of the Forensics Unit at BDC?  Exactly where are they going to go?  People too dangerous and damaged to be let into the community?  Where are you going to put them? 

                   How short do you think our memories are?  I will not forget who you stood for and with when I am standing in the voting booth.  And as long as I have breath to speak for my child, you can be damn sure I not going to let anyone else forget either.