Military Special Needs Network
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Stabbed in the Back
Just a few weeks ago, my children and I had the opportunity to present at a press conference with Senator Patty Murray (WA). The purpose was to publicly support and rally for Amendment 2265 which would allow ABA therapy for military children with developmental disabilities. During the press conference, Senator Murray described the amendment, which would cost roughly $60 million annually, as a “drop in the bucket” for the Pentagon’s $527 billion spending plan. Senator Murray hugged us while posing for pictures with my kids, thanked us for our sacrifices, and vowed to work diligently for our military families. It was empowering to know that one of our elected officials was willing to fight for, not only my family, but for all special needs families in the military.
So, the hurt was incredibly sharp on Wednesday, when Senator Patty Murray stabbed my family, along with the rest of the military community, in the back by co-authoring and then passing the Ryan-Murray budget deal.
$60 million dollars a year is a “drop in the bucket” and yet Senator Murray was willing to take from retired service members to pay off the debts of the country. These men and women have risked and sacrificed everything for this country. When it is time for them to hang-up their uniform, our politicians continue to take from their pockets.
What Senator Murray fails to understand is that every year, thousands of service members retire in order to care for their special needs child. The disability does not disappear the moment their parent retires. Pensions are crucial to continue to support the medical expenses, therapies, and equipment that are vital to the success of the dependent. This Bipartisan Budget Act will have devastating effects for all military retirees, but I fear most for our special needs families.
The only silver lining I can find in this situation is that my children, who are still so young and innocent, will not understand the feeling of betrayal from Senator Murray’s actions. They will not know when they go to sleep tonight that the woman who sat right beside them recently, was planning to deceive rather than work for our military families. I, however, will.
5 comments on “Stabbed in the Back”
Comments, discussion and insight always welcome!
Military Special Needs Network 
Do you have a link for the loss of retiree benefits for military?
Hi Ann,
This articles is the least confusing of all the articles I have read.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131213/NEWS/312130018/Levin-Proposed-COLA-reduction-get-second-look
VR,
Miranda
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