Child’s hip problems highlight a little-known issue    

At 3 years old, Sarah Davis was a typically rambunctious child. But one day when she leaped onto the family sofa and plopped into her favorite position, the maneuver resulted in a piercing pain that struck without warning. “We didn’t know what was wrong, we just knew she was in a lot of pain,” says…

Reviewer says Georgia not living up to mental health, disabilities pact

Georgia is still failing to meet key parts of its agreement with the U.S. Justice Department on caring for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, according to an independent reviewer’s report released this week. The reviewer, Elizabeth Jones, cited “preventable deaths occurring in the state system, often the product of confirmed neglect.’’ Many deaths…

7 charged in alleged ‘egregious’ abuse of disabled residents in DeKalb County

Seven individuals have been indicted in an alleged abuse scheme victimizing disabled adults in DeKalb County, state Attorney General Chris Carr announced Wednesday. Three of those indicted operated homes for people with mental and physical disabilities, the attorney general said in a press release. The three – Eric West, Valerie West and Erica West –…

A caring, courageous woman who cleared the path for others with disabilities

Editorial note: This is a reporter’s tribute to a Georgian beloved by people from all walks of life and all shades of opinion.  As a lobbyist, Dawn Alford was smart, tenacious and effective. As a person, she was unfailingly pleasant, greeting people with a big smile. And as a woman with disabilities, Dawn set a compelling…

State asking feds to end oversight of mental health services

Early this year, in the waning days of his tenure as Georgia governor, Nathan Deal wrote the U.S. Department of Justice a four-page letter, asking for an end to federal oversight of the state’s mental health and developmental disabilities system. The oversight role stems from a 2010 settlement agreement between the state and the Justice…

Ballot measure would help housing for people with mental illness

At the end of the Georgia ballot this year is a referendum that, if approved, would help nonprofits provide permanent housing to homeless people with mental illness. Referendum B would allow a property tax exemption for nonprofit housing of these individuals in residences that get tax credit financing from for-profit business entities. 3Keys is one such…

Commentary: House farm bill wrong on food stamp program

The farm bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives proposes changes to the food stamp program that alarm groups representing people with disabilities. “Food insecurity’’ – the lack of reliable access to nutritious food – disproportionately affects people living with disabilities, according to a new GHN Commentary. “Households that include adults with disabilities experience a…

We’re standing up for SNAP in fighting food insecurity

People living with disabilities in Georgia face many obstacles, including higher-than-average unemployment rates, lower-than-average incomes and costly medical expenses. It is little wonder that food insecurity disproportionately affects such people. Food insecurity refers to a lack of reliable, consistent access to nutritious food. In many cases, that means people are unable to afford all the…

Health facts about Georgia that may surprise you

Some health stories from Georgia are not particularly big or particularly new. But that doesn’t mean they’re not interesting. Here are a few things we think are worth noting, with illustrations to help you remember them. The founder with a big heart: James Oglethorpe’s concern for public health was one reason he founded the colony of…

‘Horrific’ elder abuse case highlights crackdown on unlicensed facilities

The case started with a tip from concerned Dougherty County citizens. They told authorities that residents of some Albany apartments were approaching people and “begging for food.’’ Those July complaints have culminated in the arrest of three people in what was described Tuesday by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr as a “horrific elder abuse scheme.’’ The residents…