Oklahoma healthcare funding's impact locally

The Oklahoma House Thursday approved $15-million in emergency funding for programs that help the elderly and disabled. <br><br>Among other things, the money pays for nursing assistants who provide care

Thursday, February 14th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Oklahoma House Thursday approved $15-million in emergency funding for programs that help the elderly and disabled.

Among other things, the money pays for nursing assistants who provide care in people's homes. The measure still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the Governor. If for some reason it doesn't go through, many people will lose their help.

News on Six reporter Steve Berg shows us one family that needs that money to keep their way of life. Jonita Grubbs had cared for her daughter Casie for all of her life. But in 1995 Jonita got cancer. It left her with nerve damage so painful that some days she can't get out of bed, much less care for Casie. That's where the nursing aide comes in. "The aide helps her, the aide teaches her to do things. Things like basketball. And trips to the mall. And reading lessons. And fixing meals. She's not able to get around the stove or anything. She doesn't understand with the fire and stuff. She doesn't understand that." She says for safety, Casie needs constant supervision.

But Jonita says there's more to it than just practical concerns. She says it's about Casie's basic quality of life. Without her aide, Casie would have little to no social life or contact with the outside world. â€œShe loves Marilyn, she's crazy about Marilyn. Marilyn thinks of all kinds of activities for them to do." With Marilyn's help, Jonita says Casie has improved her reading from a 3rd to a 5th grade level. She teaches Casie to balance a checkbook and works with her on the computer. All of it, Jonita says is vital for Casie's self-esteem and for her to have some fulfillment in life. "If she didn't have her aide, she would be sitting here bored, watching TV, and that's what she would be doing all day long. Marilyn is her world."

Nearly every year, Jonita says there's a funding shortage that jeopardizes the nursing assistant program. She says Marilyn hasn't been paid for two months. And even if the money is approved this year, they worry about next year.