Denied: Jim’s Story

Posted February 24, 2012 by Mandy Smith in

Jim H., is a person with a disability, one of the over 3,500 Kansans on the waiting list for Home and Community Based Services. Jim has Huntington’s Disease. Because Huntington’s is a progressive disease, it is getting more and more difficult for Jim to accomplish his daily activities, including cleaning and cooking for himself.

The disease has also led to an increase in falls, which can be extremely dangerous, in fact, falls are one of the leading causes of death in individuals with Huntington’s disease.

Jim was unable to get a “crisis exception” from SRS to be eligible for in home services without waiting on an over 3-year long waiting list.  This video is Jim sharing his story, he talks about the minimum assistance that he needs to remain safely in his home. It is a travesty that in order to access necessary supports, Jim must go into a nursing facility or go without any services and endanger his life.

Mandy Smith

Mandy has worked at RCIL since June of 2009. She is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and provides services in 32 counties to individuals who are blind or have low vision and are 55 years and older.

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