Governor's office calls after parent's Facebook campaign.
Daniel and Tresh Crosby are very dear friends of ours and have a child, Cullen, with special needs. On January 23, 2009 Tresh set up a Facebook Group called CULLY’S VOICE – Therapy Works for Special Needs Children and when I received the invitation that day over 200 people had already signed on. Her mission was to create awareness for a Tefra Medicaid cut that limited the access to physical, occupational and speech therapies for special needs children. In just 10 days over 1,250 people have joined on to show support and many have reached out to their local Representatives to show they care and this needs serious and immediate attention. Guess what? It worked and action is being taken. Please read her notes below and don’t forgot to search “Cully’s Voice” on Facebook and join in the support!
Help Cullen and others be heard.
From Tresh on 02.03.09 –
Our Story made it to the GOVERNOR himself and our story will be on WFYFF Greenville News tonight.
“Hey everyone. You did it! You were heard and do not under estimate what great work you have done! Last night Governor Sanfords office called me while I was being Mommy, cooking dinner and baking cookies..LITERALLY. I tried to become “professional” as Cully ran around me begging for “cookies please” in sign language. They wanted to know what was going on and they patched me through to DHHS and remained on the line. I had the priviledge of sharing our story and our concerns and will again have the opportunity to speak with the deputy director of DHHS medical services today at 12, who is over Tefra Medicaid. This morning Kim McCrea (who is adorable by the way) from WYFF News Greenville Channel 4 came and interviewed me and Cully to run the story tonight at 5. She said it could be either on the 5, 5:30 or 6 o’clock segments so tune in and see what your hard work is accomplishing. I was honored and humled by the opportunity to speak on behalf of our special kids. Sometimes we do not see the fruits of our labors but I truly see fruit everyone. We WILL get these therapy limitations reversed and must stand firm in our voice! God truly is blessing this grass roots effort!!! Thanks everyone and please keep praying and stay involved! I will send out the news story after its posted on the WYFF website. Thanks and much love! The Crosby Family”
From Tresh on 02.02.09 –
Some GREAT news posted from Columbia but we still are not where we need to be!
“As the wise King Lemuel of Massa says in the Book of Proverbs 31:8-9, Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed, Yes speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice.”
Thank-you for speaking up for our children with special needs.
I am amazed at the number of people that have supported this cause and thank-you for the letters you have written to your state legislators. Tefra Medicaid has decided to extend the cuts on therapy benefits to allow an additional thirty days on therapy, making the new effective change date 3/1/09 instead of 2/1/09. Never doubt for a minute the role you are playing in this descision for an extension. This is great news because we know our voice is being heard, but its just not enough. We need to continue asking our local SC state reps to please allow ALL recommended therapies for all special needs children all the time. We need a law that protects these kids from ever having their therapies cut again. If you have written your letters to your local state reps, thank-you so much. If you have not, please consider writing your local officials a letter requesting ALL therapies, ALL the time for ALL special needs kids to be paid by Tefra Medicaid. Here is the link. A tobacco tax can fund this, as well as Obama’s stimulus plan, but they need to hear your approval.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe
Again, thank you so much. Love, The Crosby Family”
From Tresh on 01.29.09 –
Rising sentiment for a Tobacco Tax could help get back Tefra Benefits..YOU CAN HELP
I have received multiple emails today that their is a rising sentiment in Columbia in the house of representatives for a tobacco tax increase to help with medicaid funding. I am not trying to be a pest but we are TRULY gaining momentum being heard in Columbia thanks to each one of you. Our local reps are receiving 100′s of emails and letters and Senator Larry Martin is responding, as well as others. If you agree, PLEASE ask your LOCAL STATE HOUSE REPS and our GOVERNOR for a TOBACCO TAX increase to pay for Tefra medicaid. Again, they WILL listen!!!! God is GREAT and despite the outcome, He will be just as great tomorrow as today, but I like knowing that we are standing up for a common good united! The tobacco bill must originate in the house so contact your STATE HOUSE REPS and GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD
Again, here is the link to your LOCAL HOUSE REPS:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe
From Tresh on 01.28.09 –
998 and counting!!!!! PLEASE see this through and write a personal letter
Hey everyone. AMAZING! I asked and 998 of you have responded with hearts the size of Texas. Imagine what they will think if each of you responds with a letter. Thank-you so much. Please take the time NOW to write your local representatives and ask them to please reverse the medicaid changes and allow special needs kids to have full access to all of their recommended therapy benefits. Most of these kids do not have cures for their disabilities and therapy offers them and their families help and hope! PLEASE PERSONALIZE YOUR LETTERS. They will listen to personal stories. SHARE your story, thank them for what they do…they are not bad people, just not fully informed and convinced. You can find you personal representatives at the link below. TAKE COURAGE! Much love and may God bless each of you as you each have personally blessed my family. Love, The Crosby’s
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe
This is where it started. Just a simple comment that got the conversation started.
Thank you Tresh for speaking up for Cullen and others. And thanks to anyone who is moved to pass this along. Please share it!
Oh yeah, you can find Tresh and Cully on Twitter @cullysmom
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Jami,
You are a friend in the truest since of the word! I want everyone who reads this to know that I love you like a brother and I think you are truly a great man. Thank you so much for helping us spread the word about the legislation that affects Cully and others like him.
Daniel Crosby
I just believe that Tresh is doing something awesome and people are really paying attention. She deserves all of the credit. You guys are awesome and I can’t wait to see where this goes. Love ya, man! (not sure why Rodney’s head is in my picture, oops?)
I am so excited for Tresh and her son. It takes a special person to raise a special needs child,and it takes an army of special people to help teach them and care for them on a regular basis. I will do all I can to help her win this fight for her son and many more kids like him. May God continue to bless this cause and her family!!!
Hey all. If you did not have a chance to hear the story on The Meyer Center, here is the link to the story. Please note that though The Meyer Center is the headline, they represent all special needs kids in their mission…in other words, the publicity they receive or Cully receives is representative of a voice for ALL special kids. We are all very mindfull that we ALL need a voice here which is the purpose of this FB group. Here is the WYFF link as well as a link to a Blog that my wonderful friend Jami Mullikin created for us that will track the story of our mission and will each of you to personally blog as well as invite your friends to follow each of your part in this grassroots effort. Please stay involved. We will get these cuts put on hold very soon….no doubt. I would like to add that the BLUE RIBBON on my wrist in the video when I am swinging Cullen is very symbolic.I have been wearing it as a reminder that God has this covered. I never told the news media when they were at my house what it meant, but noticed that they zoomed in on the ribbon in the video. Let this serve as a reminder that GOD IS WORKING THROUGH YOU ALL. That blue ribbon represents each one of you and what good you can accomplish for our special kids. You are a blessing to me and my family. Love, The Crosby’s
http://www.wyff4.com/video/18639459/
http://www.hillmullikin.com/blog/?p=161
I joined this group from Facebook based on the fact that I have a special needs son also. As I told Tresh, I have never been an activist, actually quite the opposite, always going along with things just as they are, but these cuts to Tefra were too much to ignore. My son, Trey is 6 years old. He speaks on a 3 year old level and is currently on hiatus from his therapy because he has not been making any real progress. His therapy will start again in May. Trey, like most special needs children, has learned to speak with the special attention and training that these therapists have to offer.
Tresh, thanks for heading this up and leading us in the right direction. Without your assistance I probably would have never moved forward with my thoughts and frustrations with “the system”.
All of our kids have something in common. They are truly special and have much to offer. They touch others, not with words, but with actions, as it should be.
Thanks again!
Dear Tresh, Betty & I have just read all the encouraging comments and information on your new website, “Cully’s Voice”). You’ve originated an awesome combination of information about Cully’s condition and Blogs from others in support of your efforts. I’ll make this short, but WE DO have the “Faith” that special little young’uns like Cully will continue to improve, the good Lord willing, and be shining examples to all of us in regard to Cully’s ongoing positive development. My gut feeling since Cully was an infant has been one of Hope, Love, & Belief that Cully and all others with similar symptoms as he shall not only succeed, but lead the way for consistent and measurable improvement that shall truly amaze and gratify ALL of us on the sidelines. The Lord takes care of His children and those closest to the children waiting in the wings. My prediction all along has been that Cully shall always amaze and gratify his contributions to the betterment of our knowledge of all similar children throughout society. Cully is such a sweet. loving, happy child, a real champion in our hearts. God Bless Cully! A M E N! Goooooooooooooo, Cullllllllllllly! We LOVE you as you return our love in your own, special, Christlike ways! . . . Love, ” Grammie” and “Mr. Steve” _***** MATTHEW 19:26__