Reserve family attends signing of bill to aid Delawareans with disabilities

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda
  • 512th Airlift Wing
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  When Master Sgts. Michael and Carrie Huot, both 512th Airlift Wing reservists, welcomed Leopold into the world seven years ago, they took on a new mission as parents of a child with down syndrome.

Their journey of love, learning and advocacy reached a notable milestone June. 10, 2015, when Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed legislation that allows families to set up tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities.

Delaware became the 19th state to create an Achieving a Better Life Experience program, following a December 2014 federal law making it possible to do so.  U.S. Senator Christopher Coons of Delaware is one of the original co-sponsors of that bill.
Previously, individuals with disabilities couldn't have more than $2,000 in assets without losing benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.

"I found it odd and hard to believe;  $2,000 is not that much," said Carrie. "I'm sure it was a lot back when it was created, in the 1960s I believe, but that cap has never been adjusted for inflation."

Coons said families of children with disabilities have faced the choice between federal benefits to help care for their child and saving for their child's future for far too long.
"Americans with disabilities deserve every opportunity to build a brighter future and the financial stability to ensure independence and self-determination," he said in a news release on his website.

The Huots have been pushing for the ABLE Act for a couple of years, but Carrie said her good friends  Rick and Amy Kosmalski, have been lobbying for eight years on behalf of their daughter Kayla, whom Delaware's ABLE Act is named after - "Kayla's Bill." 

Kayla and the Huots' son Leo know each other through the state's Down Syndrome Association, which hosts several awareness events and socials for its members. They include buddy walks at the beach, holiday gatherings and college tail gate parties. Carrie is the southern representative for Delaware's DSA and helped organize a fund-raising half-marathon last year in Wilmington.

She said her son doesn't talk much, but he is a fun, outgoing little boy who loves animals, swimming and playing "Super Mario Brothers."

"Teee-go!," Leo blurted out as he listened to his mother talk about some of his favorite things.

Teee-go was a reference to his favorite cartoon, "Teen Titans Go," his mom explained.
"He can do everything, but it just takes him a little longer," she said. "When people try to help him with everything, he gets frustrated and says 'I do it.'"

Leo is the only child in his elementary school with down syndrome. He completed first grade with the aid of an assistant who walked him to class and helped him when necessary.

Carrie said she and her husband are glad he strives for independence but also realizes there are some things that he's going to need help with in the future.

"That's why it was important for us to be there at the bill signing," she said. "It was a big goal, and it was exciting for us to witness. Later, he'll be able to look at the pictures and know he was a part of it."

About a dozen children with disabilities and their families filled the office, where the bill was signed, and Leo's friend Kayla sat in the governor's chair.

Also present at Dover's Legislative Hall for the legislation signing was 512th Airlift Wing Honorary Commander John Paradee and his brother Delaware Representative Trey Paradee, one of the sponsors of Kayla's Bill.

"I am extremely proud of him; he deserves a lot of credit," said John. "As a financial advisor by trade, he especially understood the cause and the huge difference it could make in the lives of families with disabilities in Delaware.

"It's a very important piece of legislation which will impact so many."
For the Huots, Carrie said it allows them to do the same things for Leo that they do for his older and younger brothers -- legally in his name.

"And, who doesn't want to put $10 a month away for their kid," she added. "Our state's ABLE Act now gives Leo the same opportunities as any other kid."