Woman With A Disabled Husband And Two Disabled Children Fights ...

I feel for this family and appreciate her arguments on the cost savings to the tax payers. However, in the article and in the pictures I see a TV that is newer and nicer than the one I have as are the granite counter tops she had installed. The renovations she made seem a bit excessive which added to the value of her house and compounded her problem. I am going to get hit on this, but if you are already taking taxpayer money should you be living with such top of the line finishes? She says she wants the family to be comfortable, but how important is a granite counter to a blind child? Sorry but it bothers me when people who are subsidized by taxpayers (primarily those on welfare and food stamps), don't live frugally. That being said, I am sure that this would have been a problem sooner than later either way with the loss of income from the father. Hopefully someone with deep pockets will step forward and help this family.

Horrible story for this family but this has nothing to do with CT in particular or the current economy.

Unfortunately this family would be under this incredible pressure regardless of location or economic situation. The enormity of the family health issues are enough.

The medical system is completely and utterly corrupted, and every employee and investor, from insurance CEO to nurse to equipment maker to shareholder is guilty of robbing the most vulnerable people in our society.

But at least we aren't socialist-commies like those darn Canadians, right?

Better dead than Red, right?

Idiots.

I have mixed feelings about their standard of living.At first I was thinking your way, also. However, I think they added the cherry and granite before Tonys illness. He seems like a real resourceful guy and had he not gotten ill would have been able to make ends meet. I do think the Master Suite was excessive and the TV room, but, maybe this couple are optimists and thought they would be able to handle it.

Also, the guy worked at Sears and probably got that TV at a great discount, or it could have been a gift.

The idea and plan Janet came up with is a sound one. I think the State could and should do it.

Ryan Whites mother did something similar in Indiana when she desparatley needed a place to live.

I wish this family all the help they can get...they should be together.

Lucky wrote:

I feel for this family and appreciate her arguments on the cost savings to the tax payers. However, in the article and in the pictures I see a TV that is newer and nicer than the one I have as are the granite counter tops she had installed. The renovations she made seem a bit excessive which added to the value of her house and compounded her problem. I am going to get hit on this, but if you are already taking taxpayer money should you be living with such top of the line finishes? She says she wants the family to be comfortable, but how important is a granite counter to a blind child? Sorry but it bothers me when people who are subsidized by taxpayers (primarily those on welfare and food stamps), don't live frugally. That being said, I am sure that this would have been a problem sooner than later either way with the loss of income from the father. Hopefully someone with deep pockets will step forward and help this family.

This woman's courage and determination are truly amazing. I doubt that most of us who read her story have the resolve to endure what she has been through. I disagree with the comments of "Lucky," who believes that the renovations are "excessive," as Ms. Catucci has created a place where she can keep the family together. She correctly points out that she is saving the state many thousands of dollars per year in doing so, but only because she has created a home that works for her children (tracks in the ceiling, changing tables, etc.). Adding a few things that make the house liveable for her seem quite appropriate.

I also disagree with the comments of Ms. Dickson, who seems selfishly focused on her own issues. Ms. Catucci has made it quite clear that the agencies that she has dealt with have been very generous. The problem now is that someone is taking a very narrow, legalistic, short-sided perspective regarding her taxes.

Would the Courant consider establishing a trust fund for this family, so that admiring readers of her story can do the right thing for her? I would glady contribute! Please keep us posted

This story could be so much worse, at least this mother is taking care of her children at home, as well as her husband when she could, she has done all her homework on finances and it does make sense for the state to pay off the house and have it as theirs after the family is gone.....other choices are extremely costly (to us), and possibly in the long run this house with all it's disabled person(s) ungrades will be sold and un-constructed to fit healthy people. wow, lost of wasted time and money.....so much of our money goes to welfare-suckling humans that this family i would gladly see our money land on.

ShoreBlinder wrote:

The medical system is completely and utterly corrupted, and every employee and investor, from insurance CEO to nurse to equipment maker to shareholder is guilty of robbing the most vulnerable people in our society.
But at least we aren't socialist-commies like those darn Canadians, right?
Better dead than Red, right?
Idiots.

While this is quite a sod story , it is not a platform for socialized medicine . To place medical care into the hands of the government would overtax the system and , like the soviets, the economy would collapse under the weight of taxation. The problems that exist with medicare and medicaid would be multiplied hundreds of times over and there would exist a health care system , rather, health care rationing, comperacble to a third world nation.

Larry the Cable guy wrote:

<quoted text>While this is quite a sod story , it is not a platform for socialized medicine . To place medical care into the hands of the government would overtax the system and , like the soviets, the economy would collapse under the weight of taxation. The problems that exist with medicare and medicaid would be multiplied hundreds of times over and there would exist a health care system , rather, health care rationing, comperacble to a third world nation.

I agree with you. Isn't the problem here the inflexible and overly bureaucratic government, not health insurance? Do we really want these people controlling everyone's medical care?

This family has real problems, not of their own making. They have struggled for years to keep themselves together the best they could. They express gratitude for the help they have received and have fiscally responsible, reasonable solutions to the problem.

Sounds like a good time to launch the "money follows the person" pilot, or have the state purchase the house. Is there no one in state government who can find a way to do a very common sense thing here? If the state legislature has time to pardon witches, then surely they have time to address this problem and actually help some of their hard-working constituents.

Is there a fund out there to help this woman? I don't know how she does what she does. God bless her and her family.

Maybe it was the in ground pool they built in 2006 that proved too costly. I'll bet it's a hassle maintaining that, or keeping up with the bills from the pool company.

http://www.westhartford.org/geopro/SingleProp...

It's nice to have choices in life.

This woman is a saint. God bless her.

So where exactly is "the town that cares"? I don't see the town doing anything meaningful to help this family. They have only compounded the problems for this family by raising their taxes to such an extent that it is now unaffordable for them to stay in this home which has been specifically modified in order for their family to stay together.
These incredible tax increases are a burden to everyone - not just this family - but the tax and spend crowd couldn't care less. Sklarz along with other highly paid town administrators need their raises and benefits and the town employees have to eat at local restaurants and have catered meals at their meetings.
This is a disgrace.

I have seen everyone comment about the "corrupt state and medical systems", but I haven't seen anyone comment about the real matter which is the tax bill.
The problem is that this house was assessed incorrectly. The assessment is clearly a blanket one based on square footage and a few "luxury" upgrades like granite and cherry cabinets (big whoop). The bottom line is however, for those of you who don't live in West Hartford, that the area of town in which they live could not possibly actualize a sale of $500k for a house. It's all about location and that area of town is not "high-end" enough to bring in that kind of money. So, the town, relying on a computer model, has made a large mistake and these people are paying the price. The assessment needs to be more realistic. If the town insists that a home which sounds more like a special needs group home than your typical WH home is of such value, then they should go ahead and purchase it for that price.
As for the upgrades that many are complaining about, you try living in a house 24/7 and taking care of wheelchair-bound children day and night and having your only "luxuries" in life be a granite countertop, large TV and a pool and then judge. This poor woman probably hasn't slept a full night since 1984 much less painted her nails. I think it's the least she deserves.

You know what Poolboy, I wouldn't begrudge these people any amenity that makes their life more bearable.
Shame on you.

Walk a mile in her shoes and see if some of you feel the same way. So she has a big tv, so what. If you and your family have their health, that's all that matters. She is not able to have a normal life. Think about how your children go to college, play ball, go to the prom. And, how you people can go on vacation or out to eat. The tv is her only outlet, then God bless her. Do not begrudge unless you have the same type of life.

Truly a story of rare courage and resourcefulness. But for heaven's sake, the woman has the trials of Job. Stop being judgmental about the finish work in her kitchen and the size of the TV. How many of us would have the courage and strength to do what she's done?

Poolboy wrote:

Maybe it was the in ground pool they built in 2006 that proved too costly. I'll bet it's a hassle maintaining that, or keeping up with the bills from the pool company.
http://www.westhartford.org/geopro/SingleProp...
It's nice to have choices in life.

$20,000 pool raises her taxes and her costs of maintenance. I felt sorry for her until I saw that. If she fills it in, her taxes will be less as well as her carrying costs. Go to the public pool, that is why you pay taxes.

This story is heart wrenching. I pray that someone will come forward and help these people find a solution. With all the aid that goes out to people unwilling to work or help themselves, these people should be first in line for a break. I challenge one of the great minds within the city of West Hartford, who know how to reduce taxes for the benefit of wealthy clients, to come forward and help these people stay afloat.

Article says house's tax appraisal is $436k; the town's tax website says $320k on the 2007 Grand List. Which is accurate? The article or town's website? Is the latest appraisal for financing? Either way, this family has $200k in equity in this home - quite alot in this economy.

Wow. Show a little compassion here. Granite counter tops? Hmm. Well, how about this. YOU CAN HAVE their new TV and their counter tops. It also comes with two mentally retarded adult children and an infirm husband.

Sound about fair?

You need to get a dose of reality, bud. These people have suffered enough. I bet you wouldn't last a friggin day in that house. You'd run out screaming.

Lucky wrote:

I feel for this family and appreciate her arguments on the cost savings to the tax payers. However, in the article and in the pictures I see a TV that is newer and nicer than the one I have as are the granite counter tops she had installed. The renovations she made seem a bit excessive which added to the value of her house and compounded her problem. I am going to get hit on this, but if you are already taking taxpayer money should you be living with such top of the line finishes? She says she wants the family to be comfortable, but how important is a granite counter to a blind child? Sorry but it bothers me when people who are subsidized by taxpayers (primarily those on welfare and food stamps), don't live frugally. That being said, I am sure that this would have been a problem sooner than later either way with the loss of income from the father. Hopefully someone with deep pockets will step forward and help this family.