In Morrow County, funding for people with disabilities is the lowest in Ohio, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported.

Brandon White knows about the discarded, the left behind and the forgotten.  He gives furniture new life at the Morrow County Board of Developmental Disabilities work program.

SPECIAL SECTION:  Campaign 2009

Superintendent Jerry Manuel calls his county's funding a crisis.  He has cut his staff in half, froze wages and slashed programs, like speech therapy.

"Right now it boils down to people and the economy," Manuel said.

The agency can only hope that voters open their eyes when they see another levy on the November ballot.

Levy proponents said that a dime a day could add up to big changes for people with disabilities.

A tiny breath is a victory for Ava Ballenger.  A ventilator keeps her alive but her mother, Vicki, said that more services are needed.

The services are no longer available after the board cut its program for infants, Seavert reported.

Ballenger said that the nearest therapy is in Columbus.

Before Ava, Ballenger admitted that she probably would not have voted for such a levy, but when she feels helpless, Ava teaches her not to give up the fight.

On Sunday, hundred of people from developmental disability boards across Ohio will travel to Morrow County to get out the vote. 

The .9 mill levy would generate about $650,000, costing the average homeowner $28 extra a year.

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