Fight to Keep Early Intervention Program Money

Budget Cuts Alabama Lawmakers Victoria Carroll A woman from Theodore is on a mission. She wants to know why Alabama Governor Bob Riley wants to cut millions of dollars from a children's special needs program.

by Kesshia Peyton

Published: Mon, March 24, 2008 - 4:32 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, March 24, 2008 - 4:35 pm CST

She wants to know why Alabama Governor Bob Riley wants to cut millions of dollars from a children's special needs program.
Victoria Carroll's two year old son was born with a genetic disorder and had to have open heart surgery at five months old.
He requires home therapy treatments.
Carroll says if it hadn't been for the help of the Early Intervention program, her son wouldn't be able to walk and talk as much as he does.
The program received more than seven million dollars last year to help young children across the state.
Now, the governor wants to cut the program by $2.3 million.
"We've had other physical therapy in the past and they treated him {bailey} like a genetic disorder. And it's really refreshing to see someone treat my child, treat them professionally and treat them like a human because that's what he is. He's just like anyone else." said Victoria Carroll of Theodore.
Wednesday, Carroll and other parents involved in the Early Intervention program are heading to Montgomery.
They hope to convince lawmakers making budget cuts to the program will affect many families who can't afford home therapy care.
A spokesperson from Governor Bob Riley's office told News Five that the cuts to the Early Intervention program is not an indication that the governor does not believe these type of programs are worthy, just that the state is facing a tough budget year.
The cuts are effective October first.

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