A few weeks ago, the letter below was sent to WINK TV on behalf of our family and Florida’s special needs community. Unfortunately, the author of this letter received the same lack of response and inaction that every other attempt by me directly to contact WINK Listens has resulted in. It’s disheartening that WINK claims to listen, yet no one from their organization has reached out to the author of this letter or myself. Despite numerous emails, voicemails, and comments left with their news desks and individual reporters, there has been no reply. What does this say about WINK as a news organization and the values of the company that owns it?
Once again, we are left with the impression that Florida’s special needs population is only given a voice when it can be framed as a feel-good story or edited for emotional appeal—while the harsh realities faced by this community are ignored. It feels as though this population doesn’t matter unless a tragedy forces it into the spotlight. WINK Listens has the potential to create a platform for this community—one that raises awareness, fosters collaboration, and brings much-needed attention to the challenges we face. Florida currently ranks 49th in the nation for funding and support services for individuals with special needs, yet it ranks 3rd for Department of Corrections funding. This disparity is heartbreaking and unacceptable. The families, caregivers, and organizations dedicated to serving Florida’s special needs population deserve to be heard. More importantly, the Special needs community and their families deserve action. Adequate funding and resources must become a priority to address this crisis. WINK can and should play a part in amplifying these voices and creating meaningful change.
RE: WINK Listens
Dear WINK staff, I love the idea of your current "WINK Listens" involving your team going out into the heart of the neighborhoods you serve to engage with viewers and learn what's important to us. This is a great concept, but it does not take into consideration your viewers who are medically fragile, disabled, or their families and caregivers who cannot attend these events due to caregiver duties, lack of transportation to accommodate both disabled and their caregivers, or mobility issues of the disabled, which seem to be greatly underserved by State and County agencies, charities, and Media outlets until there is a newsworthy hardship or a tragedy.
Case in hand, I know of one grandmother, Sherri Gabel, who has reached out to you Station on several occasions but has had no response or reaction from your news team. Ms. Gabel is caring for both her disabled 14-month-old grandson, who has a rare genetic disorder called Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, and her mother, who is in the early stages of Dementia, with at best a shoestring budget.
She is a former EMS/ first responder personnel member whose career was ended by a crushing injury to her hand, wrist, and arm. Additionally, she is a former Florida Department of Corrections officer, who, with no alternative, Ms. Gabel resigned her position with the Florida Department of Corrections due to non-flexible scheduling practices within the corrections department when her mother's condition began deteriorating, requiring additional services with a price tag larger than her take-home pay from the Florida Department of Corrections. Yet, every charity, church group, business, government department, and media outlet has led to another shut door.
She spends hours every day advocating for special needs services and funding for rural areas such as Desoto County, not only for her grandson but for all people with special needs who are underserved in Florida as a whole. I have listened to her share her knowledge with other families, guiding them to services and equipment needs for their family members. She continuously contacts politicians at all levels of government, attempting to gain support to allocate additional funding for needed services for disabled persons. I have watched her write letters and emails, make phone calls, and leave voice mail that goes unanswered. She does all of this while also providing caregiving to her mother and grandson, running errands for groceries, medications, and between doctor appointments for both family members. Unfortunately, she has had to face additional challenges on top of the list of daunting tasks to be completed daily.
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