Human Face Of Governor Pawlenty's Budget Cuts

You've heard the statistics. Now here's the human being. Jolene Johnson is one of thousands of Minnesotans who are losing health care coverage thanks to Governor Tim Pawlenty's budget cuts. This is her testimony today in front of the Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division Committee. Here is a transcript of her remarks:I am here today to speak to all of you about my personal story. We've heard statistics. We've heard different waivers being cut, and different programs being cut and reasons why. And the truth is I am that person. I am the human being that utilizes the majority of those services. Yesterday… I've been going to the courage center for about five years. And I have Limb Girdle 2A Muscular Dystrophy. For those of you who do not know about muscular dystrophy, the type that I have is the degenerative muscle disorder. And it only gets worse, it does not get better. So preventative care I use the Courage Center and I go to occupational therapy, physical therapy - land and water, and utilize the pool which is also good for muscles like your heart. I have utilized the Courage Center since September and I've been on a very concentrated program where I swim on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on Wednesdays I have occupational therapy and physical therapy. The reasons why I need these services is because I can not get out of bed. I can not get in bed. I can not get on the toilet. I can not get off of the toilet. I can not take a shower by myself. I have to have a personal care attendant. I've had personal care attendants since I was 18-years old. I am 30 now. I am at a nursing home level and don't want to be. We hear the saying that 'we choose our future', I don't get that choice. But as much as I will try to stand here, or sit here, and stand up for myself, I will. By you cutting in September when I went to the Courage Center…there are 13 hours a day that I am by myself. I either sleep in my wheelchair, I lay on the floor because I have fallen, I lay in be and have to urinate ... Distributed by Tubemogul.