JACKSON – The Melvin Cottrell Center for Senior Citizens & the Disabled was filled with personal stories – many of them hard to listen to, but the need to be heard was evident.
Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R-12th) hosted a legislative listening forum with concerned parents and residents speaking about the issues that affect them most. For two hours, parents and caregivers spoke from the heart; stories of tragedy, struggle, and frustration were conveyed to Assemblyman Sauickie, who listened and took notes.
The event was billed as “a forum for families, caregivers, and individuals with special needs,” according to the event flyer. The Bipartisan Legislative Disability Advocacy Coalition sponsored the event.
The main topic of the forum was to engage with the assemblyman to push for the passing of three bills: A2705, the Billy Cray Law, would require certain group homes to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas, upon request and with uniform resident consent. Bill A4008, the Justice for Vulnerable Residents Act, creates the Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. A4009, the Fair Ratio Bill, is the “Fair Funding for Vulnerable Residents Act” and establishes direct care ratio requirement for certain providers of services to adults or children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. All bill information can be found on legiscan.com
William “Billy” Cray, son of Martha and Stu Cray, was found dead in his bedroom closet of the group home where he resided, according to the Facebook page Billy Cray’s Law. Billy, who lived in different residential facilities since he was 10, had been subject to many incidents of sexual and physical assaults, according to the Facebook page. He was 33 years old at the time of his passing.
Martha Cray attended the forum and spoke about her son. His story was one of many shared during the event.
Many stories at the forum had one thing in common: needing help and not receiving it. The audience sat intently, listening to harrowing stories from family members who seek help from those with the power to pass bills.
Two words were spoken numerous times at the event. “Unsubstantiated” and “retaliation.”
According to the speakers, the state investigates these incidents and find them to be unsubstantiated. Without physical proof of the abuse, the cases are often dismissed or ignored. The bills would hold the agencies accountable with the addition of cameras in the facilities.
Many of the speakers spoke about retaliation from the powers that be. Parents who report such incidents are sometimes labeled as “problem parents” according to one speaker. Those who advocate for change in the way things are handled by the state live in fear of what will happen to their loved ones who are in the state-run facilities.
Alex Janoczkin, chair of the Jackson Commission for Handicapped/Disabled, spoke about the bills that they are working on to get passed in Trenton. “A lot of people don’t know what (we) go through on a day-to-day basis with the special needs community,” he said. “Some people have problems with transportation…they say it’s available, but when you call, you’re told it isn’t available.”
Janoczkin, who is a resident of Jackson, spoke passionately during the forum. He said a lot of issues derive from getting the care the community needs, such as issues with insurance or doctors who do not want to render care.
“We’ve had people go homeless,” said Janoczkin, who spoke about different programs that can help the special needs community. “There are plans available that do work. We have to get the people to know about them.”
He spoke about the need for the creation of a panel to monitor or oversee the issues for the special needs community.
“We need an independent panel to come and support them in the hour when they’re not getting support,” he said Janoczkin. “Tonight, I am very thankful that this attention is turning back to our hometown, so we’re able to get the word out.”
Yana Mermel, founder of AlsoHuman, and mother to a special needs daughter, spoke before and during the forum. She wants her voice to be heard, and to help elevate the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves.
“Presently, group homes in New Jersey do not have cameras in all the agencies; only a handful of self-elected agencies have cameras,” said Mermel. “What we’re advocating for is group homes across the board will have the cameras. It’ll be a choice; someone who is higher functioning who can advocate for themselves, can elect to not have a camera. But for the profoundly, severely disabled individuals – the cameras are very much needed.”
Mermel spoke about her daughter’s story. She was abused in a facility, so much so that she was hospitalized in serious condition. Mermel, along with other concerned parents, wanted Assemblyman Sauickie to hear their pleas for help.
“Those three bills are critical for the protection of people with disabilities,” said Mermel.
Michelle Solomon, co-founder of AlsoHuman, also spoke before the event. “We always say ‘everybody is abled until they’re not,’” said Solomon, speaking about her uncle who was involved in an accident at the age of 19. “We’re here to fight for everyone’s rights, no matter what your disability is.”
Solomon said she wanted to let the public know that the group AlsoHuman means what the title says. No matter what a person’s disability, they are still a human, first and foremost and they deserve to be treated equally. “This can be in anyone’s family. Many people are affected by it. They are also human.”
For those interested in learning more about the bills, you can contact Assemblyman Sauickie. For those interested in hearing more about AlsoHuman, you can visit their website at: alsohuman.org. They have a podcast as well and more information about their journey.
