Mr. Perry’s
letter to our
governor

Dear Gov. Schwarzenegger,

I am the father and caregiver of my 17-year-old son who has been diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). My son suffers from severe mental retardation and has uncontrolled daily seizures. He has had as many as 80 or more seizures per day and is in need of full- time protective care. His needs are many, as he can do nothing for himself, not even speak. He must be dressed, fed, bathed and given medication three times daily. He also has no sense of danger and therefore must be supervised constantly.

From infancy to about the age of 7 years old, his grandmother would help tend to his needs while his mother and I worked. After his grandmother passed away, I was forced to give up my tour business and became my son’s full-time caregiver through the In Home Support Services Program (IHSS). We had no one else who could be with him full-time and meet with all the demands in caring for him. I took on the position of caregiver rather than his mother because she had many years already vested in the grocery store, and we desperately depended on her medical benefits provided by the company. We’ve lost a great deal on that issue with the recent grocery strike. And now, we find out that my job as caregiver with the IHSS is scheduled for termination because of your proposed budget cuts. How much more can our government take away from its poor and middle class citizens?

As a registered Republican, I must tell you that I do not agree with your proposed budget cuts. It would be far better to ask all Californians for 5 cents more per week than to target those who need help the most. I understand that you gave a campaign promise to balance the budget without raising taxes. What about your promise to be a governor for all the people of California? Your cuts are targeting a potential 75,000 people who need help the most in this state. During the next gubernatorial race, you will not be remembered for balancing the budget without raising taxes, but rather for the countless number of Californians who suffered and lost everything because of a campaign promise. If you have any doubts about this issue, put this to a vote with the people of California. I’m sure you will find that the people would rather pay a small increase in taxes than to make those already suffering be truly devastated, even homeless.

Finally, Mr. Governor, I must ask you if you know what it is like to wake every morning to tend to a handicapped child? To feed them, dress them and deal with every single aspect of their lives to keep them alive and well. If you do not face this, sir, I suggest that you give thanks to God Almighty. I know my son will never go to college or have a family of his own. I will never see any grandchildren from him, nor will he ever be able to live on his own. My heart grieves every day knowing that his life will never be a normal one. But because of my love for him, I will sacrifice my dreams and hopes for my own life until the day I die. Please, Mr. Governor, do not devastate the most vulnerable citizens of California. Please reconsider your proposed budget cuts for the state of California.

Sam Perry

Moorpark