State must stand for something, Bob

DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom has been quoted as saying that "The state cannot afford to be all things to all people." Absolutely, Bob, you are right. Currently, in the state of Illinois a parent has to die to be able to give care of their severely disabled adult child to the state.

I am OK with this, Bob, but if the day programs that are state-funded disappear, the parents of these adults will no longer be able to go to work. I have to say, Bob, that my greatest fear, as not one, but two, of my children were diagnosed as severely autistic, was that I would spend my middle and old age walking my sons up and down Roosevelt Road.

However, due to Oak Leyden Developmental Services' wonderful day program, my husband and I are able to go to work. So the state can't be all things to all people, but it must be some things to many people. The talk of cutting off funding to day programs is outrageous. The state is there for people who can't do for themselves, and, Bob, I hope that you never have to find this out personally.

Peggy Vicars

Oak Park