Please read the story about Haylee Cain, former Camp ASCCA camper! You can help by expressing your support to your legislatures!
By: Erika Odell
Email: eodell@waaytv.com
Full Story on www.waaytv.com from WAAY ABC 31
About a year ago, 21 year old Haylee Cain was living in a Shoals nursing home. The cerebral palsy patient was told there was no one who could care for her. But, after a Tuscumbia family brought Haylee to live with them, her life has changed completely. Now, she’s making it her mission to help others.
According to Alabama law, because Haylee is over the age of 18 and does not have a mental disability, she’s eligible for very little help from the state. They’ll pay for her to stay in a nursing home, but that financial assistance ends if she leaves. Thanks to Judson and Donna Emens, she was able to and is living a happy life, hoping to help others in similar situations.
“I just want them to have the opportunity to enjoy life and not have to be in that gloom and depressed,” said Cain. “I just want them to have fun at life because you only life once.”
On Monday, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program officials announced that Haylee’s Law has been introduced this Spring to the state legislature by Senator Tammy Irons. If passed, the law would change the state’s definition of the word “disability”. It would provide that all references to “intellectual disability” be changed to “developmental disability” and change references to “people with intellectual disabilities” to “people with developmental disabilities”. It would also provide Medicaid waivers for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Currently, people with cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and similar developmental disabilities can no longer receive support services after the age of 21, which leaves them to fend for themselves.
However, with the passing of Senate Bill 470, “Haylee’s Law”, it could be a turning point for many others.
“I feel like this has been a new start for people with disabilities, and I feel like it’s going to happen,” said Cain. “I’m just really excited because it means the world to me to help others, and that what I want everybody to know.”
“Things change because people like Haylee act, and because people like Judson and Donna care and because others join them in that fight. That’s what we’ve begun today,” said James Tucker, ADAP Director of Litigation.
Tucker said they are expecting the law to pass next year.
Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of traditional recreational and educational activities with a unique design for accessibility.
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