Imagine waiting over a decade for something as basic as the services that allow you—or your loved one—to live with dignity. It sounds unimaginable, yet this is the stark reality for more than 17,900 North Carolinians stuck on the Innovations Waiver waitlist. This state program provides life-changing support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). But for families waiting more than 13 years to access it, life can feel like a series of closed doors.
I’ve seen this firsthand. Over 50 years ago, my mother, Betty Moore, found herself in the same position as many parents today—fighting for her son, Jimmy, to have a meaningful life. At the time, there were no IDD services available in North Carolina. Parents like Betty and others had to create them from scratch. Their determination led to the founding of The Tammy Lynn Center, now known as TLC, which provides educational, residential, and family support services to individuals with IDD.