The New York State Legislature has restored 90-million dollars in proposed cuts to the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities in the state budget. People Incorporated is among the many agencies in this region that provide vital services. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley toured their site on Delaware Avenue in North Buffalo to learn first hand who is receiving and caring for the developmental disabled.
"How's everybody doing today?" Cheerful staff members engage in conversation with clients during a senior day-program. A group of developmentally disabled men are seated around a table chatting.
Warren wants to be a weather man and quickly delivers a forecast. Michael is a poet and recites a poem. All their individual talents are encouraged by staff members.
April Caggiano is senior program manager at People Inc. and interacts with the clients.
"Most of my folks here have dementia," said Caggiano.
This adult day-care program is integrated with seniors allowing them to socialize in a safe environment for about five hours a day, while providing relief for their family members.
"Almost everybody here has memory loss. So that can be a challenge because sometimes they don't remember day to day. They don't remember if they had breakfast or didn't have lunch and they may have just had breakfast or lunch. That can become difficult for them, because they may get upset," said Caggino.
Eugene King plays the piano with ease. The elderly gentlemen participates in the senior program at the Delaware Avenue site so his daughter doesn't have to worry about him being alone all day.
There are a number of activities provided. Justin Leis is an art specialist. On the day of our visit he was teaching the group to make artwork based on Henri Matisse and watercolors.
"I always try to have to different types of activities, and I like basing them on artists. And but they're not unnecessarily here for art -- so then you have to come up with other things on the spot also," said Leis.
In another area of the facility there is an entire art room filled with paintings and pottery work everywhere.
"There is a wide range of disabilities. We have a couple of individuals with that have Autism, Aspergers, mild disability. We have two individuals that are non-ambulatory," said Denise Litz, program director of Arts and College based programs at People.
"I've been told everyone has a creative side, and this program has really brought out that in individuals that attend this program. It also minimizes behaviors. We have a couple of individuals who have autism and they have really flourished in this program," said Litz.
Those developmental disabled individuals range in age from 21 to 55.
Without these daycare programs, families would find it difficult. That is why recent restoration of state funding was imperative.
"For families, that is the biggest fear in a day program setting this allows families to work," said Rhonda Frederick is chief operating officer at People. "We are seeing the incident of disabilities increase. As you can see in our seniors program, people living much longer and much healthier lives. So the idea of staying home all day -- none of us want to be homebound," said Frederick.
Two parents, who also work as advocates for these services and represent the DDAWNY Family program shared their stories with WBFO.
"Samantha has pretty significant development disabilities across all areas. She's non-verbal," said Kathy Bunce.
Bunce says the Townline Respite House provides much relief in caring for her 17-year-old daughter Samantha.
"She is very social and very busy. She's got a lot of energy and likes to be with people and doing things, but cognitively probably about the age of a two-year old," said Bunce.
The program allows Samantha to interact with others.
Bunce works closing with another mother -- Barbara Delong.
"Without the services of agencies like People Inc. I don't know if I would be sane to tell you the truth," said Delong. She is the parent of 21-year-old Laura. She suffers multiply disabilities, Cerebral Palsy and is also nonverbal.
"She brings sunshine to our everyday, and we're not sure what she understands, cognitively, but we do know she understands love and respect," said Delong.
Lora functions only at about the age of a one-year-old.
Both women have fears for the future of their daughters care. "My biggest fear -- I'm going to wake up dead and my daughter is not going to understand what happened to mommy," said Delong.
"The older she gets, the older we get it's becoming a different type of challenge," said Bunce.
Bunce and Delong continue to fight to keep these programs in place. A major issue across is finding enough residential living for these families. There are 12,000 in New York State waiting for residential placement. 980 are right here in Western New York. "And now is the time to get involved. Now is the time to make sure Buffalo is the type of community that does take care of its neighbors. It always has been, and we know that if people start thinking on those lines, it will be better," said Bunce.
"It's our role as citizens to take care of the people that can't take care of themselves, and it's such a critical need. There's lots of needs out there, but you know what -- don't fund the Buffalo Bills Stadium or fund Hollywood to come to New York and take money, and use it so unwisely when there is individuals that can't tie their own shoes, they can't feed themselves and they have to have help going to the bathroom everyday," said Delong.