John, Paul, and a Band of Angels

John and Paul with Special Olympics Awards

     John and Paul are 30-year old twins who happen to have developmental disabilities.  They currently reside in the Just People Village in Roswell, Georgia, a facility owned and operated by Just People, Inc.  Just People has helped them obtain employment, and they currently each have two jobs. They both work in a high school cafeteria. One works from 5:30 to 8:30 collecting buggies at a Sam's Club and on Sundays until 6:00. Paul works in a kitchen at a restaurant.  However, their incomes do not meet their expenses. Housing, transportation, and many other services are provided by Just People.  Up until three years ago their income was supplemented through Medicaid due to their disabilities.
          Unfortunately, due to a change in Georgia regulations, the twins lost their eligibility for assistance three years ago.(See below.) Their income from their jobs leaves them with a deficit of $1200 each per month. Over the last three years the twins ended up with a deficit and were on the verge of having to leave the home that they love.  Enter Darla and her band of angels……………..
     Since Darla heard about the situation, she has been on a mission.  Over the last few weeks, she has been able to raise enough funds to address the deficit. This was due to the generous donations received in John and Paul's names. The goal now is to find individuals who will donate an amount each month to keep the situation from ever happening again. Darla refers to these generous individuals as “angels.” She has recruited a few angels, but still needs more.

All donations are tax deductible even though specified for a particular person, as long as that person is not an immediate family member.

****The change in regulations initiated by the Georgia Department of Human Resources not only impacts John and Paul, but many other individuals who have developmental disabilities. The decision was made to deny benefits to individuals who reside in a facility that is primarily populated by other individuals who are developmentally disabled. The reasoning was that it would be better for them to live out in a "regular" community. Unfortunately home to John and Paul has nothing to do with regulations. As John said, “All our lives everyone has been so kind to us, but we have always had to try and fit in.  Here we are normal. Here we are friends.  This is our home.”
   The change in the regulations has been addressed, and will continue to be addressed, in hopes that either the policy can be changed, or an exception made in regard to Just People.  In the meantime, people like John and Paul struggle to remain in their homes.  Even if a change were to be made, there is now a long waiting list for benefits, and it would be several years before they would be eligible again.