When Ed Carlson goes to a baseball game or visits his girlfriend, it's a large, complicated production.
Due to his cerebral palsy and quadriplegia, the 40-year-old said in-home health care has to get him ready to go out, and a special mode of transportation needs to be coordinated. He relies on these state-funded services to help him live a full life, but state budget cuts might prevent him from doing so.
"I rely on stuff to take me everywhere, so if it's cut, I can't," he said. "I won't have freedom - we will take a giant step backwards."
Carlson was among the hundreds on the lawn of the Capitol on Wednesday morning to voice their concerns to policy makers and raise awareness about budget cuts for human services.
Ann Marston, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services, said budget cuts affect a number of the state's most vulnerable citizens, such as the aging, children, disabled and low-income individuals.
To balance the state budget, Marston said the proposed cuts include freezing health services such as Medicaid/Medicare for about 43,000 low-income and disabled people and shortening an independence program by discontinuing assistance for recipients after 48 months in the program.
Tom Masseau, director of government and media relations for Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services, said the rally was to highlight the impact of the proposed budget cuts.
"We need to look at everyone when we make policy decisions and the impact it will have," he said. "The event is just the first step to raise awareness."
Speakers included state Rep. John Gleason, Department of Health and Human Services Director Marianne Udow, Lansing mayoral candidate Lynne Martinez and State Board of Education member Elizabeth Bauer.
Collene Dabish, assistant technology advocate for the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, said sessions within the Capitol were canceled for today.
"It's disappointing that the sessions were canceled; we wanted people reached today," she said. "This is definitely a rally to have our wants and needs heard."
Rep. John Gleason, D-Flushing, said only 35 percent of disabled people willing to work are provided with an opportunity.
"These are some of the most diligent workers, they want these jobs and want to keep these jobs," he said "It is sinful to cut them off."
Along with his government assistance, Carlson works as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army during the winter, and he said it provides him with more than extra income.
"I can meet more people and give them awareness that the disabled can work," he said.
Gleason said everyone at the rally came with their own concerns.
"We have always left the disabled behind," he said. "This is important because we never look at what the disabled can achieve - we always put more significance on what they have to overcome."
