PROTESTERS SEEK MORE LOCAL WORK OPTIONS FOR DISABLED

A few more than a dozen placards were raised to protest conditions for the handicapped in Cape Girardeau on Saturday.

Dave Grant, who made the placards, would like more options for the disabled in Cape Girardeau County than what VIP Industries can offer.

"Our issue is that the Senate Bill 40 money is not being used right," said Grant, who worked for VIP Industries for 10 years.

Grant was honored recently for his volunteer work for the disabled in the community by St. Francis Medical Center.

The county's Senate Bill 40 Board oversees money collected from a tax levy, which can be distributed to sheltered workshops, group homes and other services for the handicapped.

Grant and others stated that not enough of the more than $400,000 collected annually in the county for appropriation by the board is given to organizations besides VIP Industries.

Jane Perry, who has a disabled brother, said she has no complaints against VIP Industries. But she said a feeling has been created that money would not be made available to any other groups besides VIP Industries.

"I think it's sad we have to come out and do this to try and make people aware," Perry said.

VIP Industries is one of eight nonprofit companies operated by Hillary Schmittzehe of Cape Girardeau. They include sheltered workshops, apartments, and service organizations for the disabled. Four other nonprofits are registered to Susan Wallis, an assistant to Schmittzehe, who has worked with the handicapped for over 30 years.

More would have come to protest, Grant said, but they were afraid.

"They're afraid they will lose their job or home and be out on the streets," he said.

Miki Guthermuth, director of Southeast Missouri Alliance for the Disability Independence, said she was not a participant or sponsor of the protest, but she was observing. She wanted to be there as an advocate, should any problems arise.

"There is this fear, even if it's a perception, that VIP has the power to shut people down and stop their lives from continuing," Guthermuth said.

John Burns, who continues to work at VIP Industries in Cape Girardeau after 14 years, came without fear, he said.

"I came out because I want to make changes in my life and broadcast those changes," Burns said.

Burns has already been verbally abused because of his actions, he said.

At some point, he would like to see the workshop integrate half-days of work with training opportunities for employees who would like to find jobs outside of the workshop. The average pay for sheltered workshops in Missouri is $1.90 an hour.

"I feel like I'm determined to live my life like normal," Burns said.