Social service program loss affecting dozens of Walworth County families
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From left, Anita Szymanski helps her daughter, Angel, with homework after school while her other daughter, Catherine, looks on at their Walworth County home. The Szymanskis relied on Lutheran Social Services to help them with Angel, who has Down syndrome, and Catherine, who is recovering from the effects of a brain tumor, but Lutheran Social Services has ended its in-home assistance program.
ELKHORN — Walworth resident Anita Szymanski wishes she could get back to work by getting someone to help watch her two daughters with disabilities.
Another mother, Kathy, who lives south of Elkhorn, wonders how she'll be able to care for her autistic son while she and her husband work full-time jobs.
The organization they counted on, Lutheran Social Services, earlier this month folded the in-home assistance program the women relied on. Lutheran Social Services officials said the company was losing money with the program, which supports about 34 individuals and their families in Walworth County.
That means Szymanski, Kathy and several other Walworth County families have to find other accommodations for their children, who sometimes need up to 30 hours of caregiver help each week.
"I had to change my schedule, my work schedule, my daughter Catherine's medical schedule," Szymanski said. "Had they told me while I was still home in August not worrying about going to work, I would've had plenty of time to find somebody.
"Now when you call other agencies, they say, 'We weren't aware LSS was closing,' and 'We can't accommodate you.'"
Lutheran Social Services officials sent parents a letter in early October explaining the program would cease Saturday, Nov. 7.
Lutheran Social Services spokesperson Briena Jacob said the organization has struggled because reimbursement rates provided by the state have not covered program expenses.
"A lot of non-profits are struggling right now," Jacob said. "We are a mission-based organization, so not all our programs provide financially."
Szymanski and Kathy, who asked her last name not be used because of the sensitivity of the issue, are doing their best to work through the problem.
Kathy's teenage son has severe autism and no independent living skills.
Szymanski's 14-year-old daughter, Angel, has Down syndrome.
Szymanski's other daughter, Catherine, 20, had a brain tumor last year that left her with traumatic brain injury, short-term memory loss, anxiety and panic attacks.
Szymanski and Kathy need help caring for their children because they need their jobs to support their families.
Szymanski and her husband rearranged their work schedules. She's working about 10 hours a week. Her husband's job is somewhat flexible, and he often is able to pick up Angel from the bus stop.
"I just wish I could get back to work," Szymanski said.
Kathy took family leave for a week because she can't find a caregiver for her son during work hours. She wishes there was more time to solve the problem.
Jacob said Lutheran Social Services is helping families affected by the program's cancellation by directing them to other providers. A letter to parents included information about three organizations that could provide services to affected families.
Kathy said that wasn't much help.
Of the three suggested organizations, one doesn't do personal care, the second assists only elderly individuals and the third offers sub-par service, she said.
Kathy has been in contact with an out-of-state provider that might be able to help, but she's afraid the transition will take too long.
"It could be two to two-and-a-half months to get a personal worker from interview to work; maybe if they expedite the process, two months," she said.
"There is no way this is going to be seamless."
With one month's notice and half the time already past, Kathy feels like she's hit a dead end.
"I feel burned by LSS. I feel really burned," she said. "They sent out a notice letter and sent no assistance.
"Some other families will probably not be OK."
Jacob said Lutheran Social Services understands the difficulties, and the organization will continue to care for families until they can find appropriate service elsewhere.
"I can assure them they will have no dropped service," she said. "It is our goal to make sure the transition is as seamless as possible."
That won't help Szymanski.
She hasn't had an in-home caregiver since late August, when her previous Lutheran Social Services worker went back to college and stopped seeing her children.
"They know we need the help," Szymanski said. "Where are they?
"We're going to keep calling. It's all we can do."
Szymanski said Lutheran Social Services officials have been telling her they're trying to replace her care. It's been two months and Szymanski still has no help.
Despite the challenges, Szymanski, Kathy and their families continue to fight. Kathy is hopeful the caregiver she is contacting will come through. Szymanski looks after her daughters and does all she can for them.
"We have to go on," Szymanski said. "We can't stop. I hope that we can get some help in here.
"We just need someone."
Oct 28, 2009 at 7:39 p.m.
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Aww You did like my comment Hannah??? lol
Oct 27, 2009 at 1:12 p.m.
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I am happy to see that I am not the only compassionate person to posts on the Gazette articles. I was starting to believe that Hannah's views were that of the majority. I actually stopped reading the comments for a bit because I was becoming so angry at the ignorance some people exude while commenting on topics. Like the old adage "it's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are stupid, then to open it and remove all doubt". In this case the typographical errors make them look even more foolish.
Oct 27, 2009 at 11:37 a.m.
Oct 27, 2009 at 11:02 a.m.
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Again, Hannah, your posts make no sense. Back when these children were born there was no ultrasound and even if there was, I am sure they still would have had and taken care of the down syndrome baby. God forbid you ever get pregnant. You can't spell, say you have no patience and just from all your post I read on ALL articles, it would be like a monkey caring for an infant! Oh wait! Not the same. They do a pretty good job of rearing their young!
Oct 26, 2009 at 9:08 p.m.
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How about a little compassion? These are people trying to work and give their families a better life, but yet they are being crucified for getting some assistance in caring for their children. They don't sound as if they are abusing the system as so many do. I am appalled by people who use,use,use and take,take,take from my tax dollars and do nothing to better themselves. How is quitting working and being a complete burden on the tax payers better????
Oct 26, 2009 at 7:06 p.m.
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How about this? Make a sacrifice for your family. Quit your job.
Oct 26, 2009 at 4:34 p.m.
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Could Lutheran Social Services connect families in similar situations so they might be able to swap child-care with each other?
Oct 26, 2009 at 3:52 p.m.
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MikeF - finally a voice of reason in the group. Some people just lack compassion and they like to advertise it here on these boards!
Oct 26, 2009 at 3:38 p.m.
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Wait until you are financially stable before having kids? Sounds like a good idea, but did you read the article and note the ages of the daughters? Angel is 14 and Catherine is 20. Do you think there is the possibility that something may have happened in the last 14-20 years to change things financially? Like maybe a BRAIN TUMOR or a child born with DOWNS SYNDROME?!?!?
But that would require you to actually read the article, consider what is being said, and think a second before spewing forth your hatred! And that is too much to ask of you, isn't it?
Oct 26, 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
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Can we give Dad a choice between caring for his family, or prison until he does? He's violating the rights of the children to be protected and cared for until they're able to care for themselves. One of the (few) jobs of our government is protecting individual rights, right?
Oct 26, 2009 at 3:19 p.m.
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This child is in regular school. does it matter what disability they have compared to the money they give you? I am not being mean I am asking a question.
"financially equipped to handle it."like I said I do agree I am not financially ready to handle it so I us protection. Mentally I am sure Would be fine. If it was disabled I may not be able to because I am not a very patient person and I know this so I may never have a child. I dont just pop one out and lets see what will happen. Yes it seems many DO do this so dont even go there!!
Oct 26, 2009 at 3:09 p.m.
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Hannah, you honestly think $750 is enough to care for a disabled child?! Do you realize that it can cost that or more for FT daycare for a healthy child. Children with special needs require extra attention that can financially devastate even families who are well off. The one young lady is recovering from the effects of a brain tumor. Have you any idea the financial burden medical bills can put on a family? Have you ever had to make a trip to the ER? Do you know that a day in ICU or on a neuro unit can cost up to $3,000/ day or more? Most insurance companies max out at $250k per year. One major injury or illness can leave a family with hundreds of thousands of medical bills they are unable to afford. Shame on this young lady for getting a brain tumor that has left her disabled. Shame on her family for not being wealthy enough to pay for everything on their own. Fools that they were having a child that was born disabled and then the nerve of them giving their other healthy child a brain tumor and not being able to care for these children. The funny thing, it is ignorance on your part thinking that you could actually plan for the hurdles these families have been forced to overcome. God help you if you ever have children that need special attention - because according to you that sole responsibilty is yours and you aren't mentally or financially equipped to handle it.
Oct 26, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.
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"That being said, if my children would have been born with a disability, financially I would have been devastated."
I know somebody with a disabled son and they get $750 a month for the child. You cannot tell me that isnt enough to help take care of him. He is also able to walk and talk etc. He is just a little slow at learning and thinking.
Oct 26, 2009 at 2:46 p.m.
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I am afraid to be blessed if I cannot afford the child so I protect myself.
Oct 26, 2009 at 2:43 p.m.
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No - :) So these families that were blessed with gifts from God should not be allowed any type of assistance because they are asking for "money in exchange for nothing"? Financially I was and am prepared for the births of my children as they were born healthy and were able to attend a daycare for children who have no disabilties and a public school for children who have no disabilties. That being said, if my children would have been born with a disability, financially I would have been devastated. One can never plan for a child being been born not of sound mind and body. I am grateful that all of my children were born healthy and with no ill effects, but would be greatly appreciative for a community organization willing to help keep life as normal as possible for my family - especially children who deal with so many trials and tribulations on a daily basis. These kids should not be forced to suffer and not have care when needed just because a regular daycare would not provide the nurturing environment necessary for them to flourish.
Oct 26, 2009 at 2:32 p.m.
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lets not fall asleep at the wheel here. i personally hate to judge the family not knowing all of the variables that must play a part in their lives. seems to me they are trying and exploring their options.
Oct 26, 2009 at 2:02 p.m.
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Nice post sandman. That TV older as it may be could bring a few hundred bucks into the household as well as that bird in the background. I am not completely opposed to "helping someone in their time of need." I am apposed to taking on someone's bills for a lifetime. People...get financially stable prior to having unprotected sex, not after.
Oct 26, 2009 at 1:56 p.m.
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*These women are not looking for hand outs, just some assistance *
Not to pick nits, but what's the difference between a 'hand-out' and 'assistance'? Aren't both simply money in exchange for nothing?
Oct 26, 2009 at 1:36 p.m.
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I am appauled at some of these comments. These women are not looking for hand outs, just some assistance while working FULL TIME jobs to financially provide for their families. Have a little bit of compassion. These may be their children and like some of you said "their responsibilties", but what is wrong with the community helping them in a time of need. I can't believe anyone would honestly believe they don't deserve a little bit of help caring for their children that are disabled. You that feel that way should be forced to spend a day in their shoes or move out of your glass houses.
Oct 26, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
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WWJD?
Oct 26, 2009 at 10:38 a.m.
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I get the feeling this is what Obama National Healthcare will look like. No reimbursement so medical provider close, and quality Doctors retire.
Oct 26, 2009 at 10:21 a.m.
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hopefully sandman somebody gave them the big RELIC tv when they replaced theirs with a new model. I do agree you need to have priorities like stop smoking.
Oct 26, 2009 at 9:24 a.m.
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WAIT! Is that a big screen TV and satellite box I see in the window? See -- there are things you could cut back on to focus your resources on the care of your children!
Oct 26, 2009 at 9:21 a.m.
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Yes, sometimes things get tough and YOU have to make sacrifices (and even change your schedule around!) to care for YOUR OWN family members.
Sad, but such is the reality of life. They are, after all, YOUR CHILDREN, and therefore should be your priority -- not everyone else's -- even though they might interfere with what you might prefer to be doing with your life and time. Perhaps other family members could help, or you could cut back, pool resources, live more simply?
Oct 26, 2009 at 9:04 a.m.
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Why worry? Just have faith and Jesus will save the day. Does Jesus love them? We shal see.
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