My name is Natalie Sinkew. I live in St. Albans. I am a member of the Put People First campaign. Last Wednesday I went to the Statehouse with 300 other people to tell our representatives that we were there to fight for our human rights. I often rely on services to be able to do things important to me. I do not drive, so I need public transportation to get to where I need to go. Sometimes I need a support worker to help with chores. In the past when I was using the Howard Center to get services there were state budget cuts. My support workers hours went from 10 to 8 and then to 6 hours.
Because of the cuts it made it not possible for me to do all the things I needed to do. Like going to the doctor, going to the supermarket, or going shopping for shoes. The budget cuts make it hard for me, and others who also rely on services, to live with dignity. We need a new way to make a budget, because all of our human rights are connected. And I don’t want to see more money for support services if that means that we lose money for housing or transportation or any other fundamental need. We need a budget that Puts People First.
NATALIE SINKEW
St. Albans
Join The Conversation
Welcome to your discussion forum:
Verified accounts are now required for immediate posting. Please verify your e-mail address in Disqus, or sign in with your social networking account. You may also post using your e-mail address (which will remain private), but those posts will first need to be approved by the moderator. Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion or approval of the Bennington Banner. This forum encourages open, honest, respectful and insightful discussions; there is no need to be offensive. Read our guidelines.