GLASGOW — In every charity, action is a basis for the organization, whether it be collecting clothes or building a house. With Arc of Kentucky, the charity is in its advocacy and in working with those who are in need of charity, instead of those giving it out.

The Arc of Kentucky and its local branch in Barren County are affiliates of the Arc of the United States. The mission statement for the Arc is first and foremost about educating the public that “all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect,” according to the Arc U.S. website.

James Cheely, head of the Barren County chapter of Arc knows what life is like for someone with intellectual and developmental disabilities, not because he is disabled, but from watching his son, Bryan, 22, go through it.

“You can sit by for so long and cast blame on other people for what is happening, but you realize that you’re being one of those people that complains and never does anything to help,” said Cheely.

Cheely decided to become a Special Olympics coach and for him the education continued to grow from there.

“I just realized there was so much information I didn’t know, and I knew that not everyone that has a child [with special needs] knows about it,” he said.

So he began his work with the Arc of Kentucky, advocating for the rights of the disabled to make sure that not only the caretakers but the disabled individuals know about the programs and funding that are available to them. Programs include Medicaid waivers, discounts from local businesses and Lifeskills, Inc., a private, non-profit corporation in Bowling Green that contracts with the Kentucky Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addiction Services for 30 percent of its funding.

“We’re trying to increase public awareness as well that although an individual may be disabled, they can still function,” Cheely said. “Thirty-five years ago, you didn’t see the disabled in school, a lot were institutionalized which is costly and not necessarily the best fit for that person.”

Living a normal life is the point of the Arc, which holds presentations about the options for mentally or developmentally disabled residents on the second Thursday of every month at the Columbia Avenue Church of Christ. It is also about showing the individuals who is there to help them in the community while they try to live a normal life.  

“A lot of times they are afraid of police or the fire department, and they need to know that these [agencies] are there for them, not to try and hurt them, so we do a meeting about that, too,” Cheely said.

The opportunities extended to the members of Arc also include fun things, like tickets to see the Bowling Green Hot Rods, a chance to visit last weekend’s Glasgow Highland Games and seats at the Western Kentucky University women’s basketball games. As many as 60 individuals went to see the Hot Rods last year and Cheely hopes to get to 100 this year.

At these events the people around the group often learn as much if not more than the group members.

“We took three (people) twice a week for a season to WKU games and we sat with other families [who were not involved in special needs],” he said. “As the season went along we got to know the families, and they became consumed with the [Arc] individuals.

“What started out as a chance for the three people to grow became a way for the other families around us to grow as well.”

Cheely said the school districts are learning how to interact and allow students with disabilities to be a regular part of the school, but said it will have changed even more from the days when mental institutions were the norm for the disabled.

While Arc receives funding from local government, state legislatures and a small amount from the city and the United Way, funding is always needed. Members pay $20 per year, and the funding is especially needed to help provide transportation for the group members to get to and from their jobs.

“One of the biggest hindrances for gaining employment is getting there and getting home; we were able to purchase a van that takes them to Bowling Green and wherever their work is. It’s a huge service for us,” Cheely said. His son also uses the van to get to work one day a week when his parents are unavailable to take him.  

State representative Johnny Bell announced May 10 during budget debates that he would be giving his salary away when they were called back to continue talks in Frankfort.

“I will go back and work for free,” he said. “If I have to take [the salary], I’ve already told the people, I will bring it back and donate it to the Barren County Arc program.”

Bell was exposed to the program after he was first elected as state representative, and said it was one of those programs to which he has always been attached. There was no question that they needed and deserved more funding, he said.

“I think if people see some of the environments that these people have to live with and the struggles that they go through, it pulls compassion out of you,” Bell said. “The people there are some of the most genuine, nicest, most grateful people you’ll ever meet.”