The Arc of Indiana appreciates the difficulty of quantifying how many jobs have been saved or created by federal stimulus dollars. Gov. Mitch Daniels and state Rep. Pat Bauer are correct in being cautious to not overstate the impact. However, the positive results of federal stimulus dollars that have gone to stabilize Indiana’s Medicaid program can been seen each day.

Statistics do not tell the story of the little girl who continues to receive the home nursing care she needs to live at home with Mom and Dad, the young man with Down syndrome and his roommate with cerebral palsy who continue to have support staff that allows them to live in an apartment, or the caregiver who got a paycheck on Friday and will make this month’s mortgage payment.

We know that the amount and types of cuts considered without the stimulus would have led to greater stress on the economy. So far, such a scenario has been avoided; and for that The Arc of Indiana, the people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families we represent are grateful.

John Dickerson

Executive director

The Arc of Indiana