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Wednesday, January 26, 2000
Budget-cut protest leaves officials unimpressed By Adam B. Ellick She composed the note in 1992 in a terrified state of loneliness after brain tumor surgery left her permanently blind at the age of 18. Once a hairdresser, the rosy-cheeked Skvorova, 26, suddenly faced a massive challenge: to survive as a blind citizen in a nation that offers few special services for the visually impaired. She beat the odds thanks to SONS, or Czech Blind United, a nationwide organization with 150 centers created in 1995 to cope with cases like that of Skvorova. But SONS is in trouble. The Labor and Social Affairs Ministry says it can promise only 60 percent of last year's 25 million Kc ($714,000) to the group that all but saved Skvorova's life. Skvorova's saga is a tribute to will power and luck. Her mother, with whom she had previously lived, refused to allow her daughter home, fearing the additional burden. Skvorova finally had no choice but to settle in a senior citizens' nursing home. A social worker, struck by her youth and circumstances, helped her move to a general rehabilitation facility that treated more people Skvorova's age. But her first real vision of hope came four years ago when she discovered SONS, which assists the blind in such skills as reading, writing and walking. After a few years of training, Skvorova became a cleaner at a SONS center in Prague. She uses public transportation to get to work; she lives, cooks and walks alone. Her suicide note is now in the director's office of the SONS center where she's employed: a tribute to the organization and to Skvorova's courage. "The center helped me live alone. I can't imagine life without it," she said. But she may have no choice. Skvorova's eyes well up with tears as she speaks of the ministry's decision. Deputy Labor and Social Affairs Minister Bela Hejna blames the shortage of funds on Parliament's failure to finalize the state budget for 2000 -- a major source of tension for months between the ruling Social Democratic Party (CSSD) and the opposition Civic Democrats (ODS). "This [outcry] is unfair," said Hejna, defending the government. "When we guaranteed [SONS] 60 percent of last year's funds, it was meant to provide security, not [to become] a tool for them to beat us over the head." About 200 SONS supporters, including Skvorova, protested outside of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on Jan. 20. With walking sticks and guide dogs, activists heckled and chanted for increased funding. SONS presented the ministry with a petition with more than 10,000 signatures by citizens who had come from as far away as Ostrava. "The decision to cut grants means absolute liquidation and destruction of our services this year," said Milan Pesak, president of SONS. Skvorova said if the government doesn't reverse its decision, she'll lose her job because the center would have to shut down. Unemployment, however, is not her worst fear. "Without the center, my life will become very empty," she said as her blank eyes roamed the room. Meanwhile, Pesak said that if the cuts take effect, conditions for the blind in the Czech Republic will revert to communist-era neglect. He also fears the waiting period for a guide dog will take two years instead of the current three to six months. Dog training is a key SONS program. Still, Hejna remains unsympathetic. She stated that SONS chose protest over filing an official appeal. She added that the grants were intended to supplement 70 percent of expenses. SONS, she said, relied on the grants for 95 percent of its costs. "We are only at the beginning of the process," said Hejna, who noted that funding matters would not be reviewed again until the 2000 budget -- delayed by political infighting -- is back on the table. Adam B. Ellick's email address is news@praguepost.cz
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