MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTiNEL: Disabled community made a half-century of gains. Now, they're quickly being undone.
Natalie Eilbert profiles Wisconsin's disability community facing threats from Trump administration policies. Cindy Bentley, 67, executive director of People First Wisconsin, lived in institutions from age 8 to 26 and now receives support through Wisconsin's IRIS Program (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct). "I go to bed crying because I'm terrified about them reopening institutions," Bentley said. Stacy Ellingen, an Oshkosh resident with cerebral palsy who hires caregivers through IRIS, struggled to fill 20 October shifts as caregivers earn $12-16/hour. Trump's $880 billion Medicaid cuts threaten services for 63,000 Wisconsin childless adults under new work requirements.
