CHANGES IN FOOD STAMP PROGRAM WITH BOXED FOODS ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE DISABLED

This is about the changes proposed to the Food Stamp Program with prepackaged boxed foods.  This is a terrible change targeting the poor, elderly, and disabled.   This change should only be put through if Exemptions are allowed to those who are sick or disabled.

Many people on Food Stamps are very sick and mentally ill.  There are many that are moderately to severely Autistic.  Many people with Autism have serious stomach issues as part of the complex disability.  Many people with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities are on a lot of medications which causes intestinal problems.  Many people of this population are Obsessive Compulsive with foods and will not eat many of the foods and will starve with this program.  Many of this population can not tolerate textures of foods in their mouths to be able to swallow strange foods.  Many also have severe food allergies where Peanut Butter can kill them.  Many will not eat beans or raisins, etc. due to their restricted palate. Many can not digest beans and it will cause disruptions in Schools and Programs from their stomach being too gassy.

These pre-packaged foods are not nutritious because they are dead foods with shelf life void of any enzymes.  These extremely Disabled people will get sicker on these boxed foods if you can even get them to eat it at all.  This will run up more Medical Bills and many of them are on Medicaid.  And, if you can not get them to eat this “end of the world last resort” food, what do you do with it?  Throw it out?  Give it away?  Sell it to get the food these Disabled kids need? 

Doctors are involved with Diet suggestions for all the ailments that go along with the Disability.  Doctors mostly recommend fresh foods, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, yogurt, lean meats like poultry and fish, fresh low fat milk, low fat fresh cheese, and whole grain cereals.  None of this is on the “care package food list”.   And how do you give a 225 lb Autistic young man the same meal as an 85 year old 100 lb woman?   Do you starve the Autistic boy and over-fee the elderly woman?

This change will cause Disabled kids to have more Medical issues from starvation and worsen Irritable Bowel Syndrome which many of these kids have.  This will cause Disabled kids to regress and have more Mental Health issues by increased Anxiety and Nervousness which will make them act out more.  This will cause Crisis events from behavior outbursts from their not getting the foods they want and need.

Why target this weak population of Americans?  Disabled people are victims in society they should not be harmed in this cruel manner.  It is unjust.