State is failing to help autistic children

    First, I want to thank a true champion of Kansas children, especially western Kansas children, Rep. Pat George. Pat's leadership and genuine consideration has been invaluable to us in western Kansas. I also want to thank Melvin Neufeld for his honesty regarding the funding proposal and the heads up that the majority of the funding for the autism waiver was pre-destined for the eastern half of the state.
    My appointment to the task force was another avenue to advocate for children, education and early intervention. Like most parents of special needs children, we put one foot in front of the other and set a trail for others to follow. We hope their journey is less wearisome. We advocate for our children and each other. We strive to do what's right for our children and all children. We have strong faith. Faith in our children and the better good of our fellow human being. Our children have taught us that much.
    The Kansas legislative session will come to a close. Members of the Kansas Senate gutted funding for the autism waiver for children throughout the state. The posturing by some legislators was described by some families as horrifying and a lack of recognizing priorities. At a recent meeting, the task force voted to amend proposed legislation not to include the wording "morally correct" to fund the autism waiver. We were not bold enough but overly cautious so as not to offend some legislators.
    It's a shame that our children don't matter. Our children's very lives are at risk. No one asked for a hand out, they asked for a hand up. THE TASK FORCE SHOULD not have DELETED THE WORD MORALLY. This legislative action is morally wrong. Children's, as well as their families' lives and even the future of Kansas, is a write-off. Our children matter.
    Tomorrow, we will get up and go to work. We will take on another day of the fight that is our every day. The reality to this pop quiz is gas will still be $3.50-plus, bread will be $3 a loaf and my taxes will still go up. Those legislators can go home and start running for re-election, boasting about everything thing they do to save the Kansas way of life, for at least them. The back-slapping, we-saved-your-tax-dollar rhetoric snugged up for the summer. We can look forward to the hand-waving parades and photo opportunities.
    This is a failure of our state to provide adequate medical treatment to those 1 in every 150 children that will be diagnosed within the autism spectrum. The state of Kansas has seen a 471 percent increase in children diagnosed within the autism spectrum. Legislators need to stop reading the polls and look at the research and best practices data.
    I have humbled myself before man and God for the sake of my child. She should matter. Your child, your grandchild, niece or nephew should matter. Early Intervention isn't an option for her anymore at age 12. Her father and I did the best we could do and will continue to do the best thing for her, our community and our state. We advocate because we want better for the next child and their families. We want a better Kansas. I wish I could say we did the best we could as a state. I wish I could say the same for a few so consumed in their political careers that they care so little for human life.
    There's an old saying ... "Walk a mile in my shoes." I want to say, "Walk a step in my child's." Most wouldn't have the courage or the determination.
    God bless the great state of Kansas.

Jeanie Zortman
ASK Autism Southwest Kansas
Dodge City