WE AT DIGS INC. wish to thank Pierre Noth for his recent column concerning the resignation of Dr. Shelp and the condition in which he is leaving the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

DIGS is a 501c3 nonprofit here in Rome and Floyd County whose mission is to provide safe housing, work and leisure opportunities for adults with developmental challenges. We have been working for the past five years to increase the services available to our adult clients by providing activities (Just As I Am choir, camera club, art club and a dance club), fundraising to build personal care homes and working toward post-secondary education leading to work opportunities.

Due to the high cost of housing and day services, our adults and families must rely on the Medicaid waiver system to be able to afford these services at the present time. Since Dr. Shelp’s arrival and the closing of Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital, the waiting lists have only increased and fewer funds are available for those living with their families. We have land donated and funds available to begin to build our first home, but are on hold until we know funds will be available. Our students who have graduated in the past couple of years are eligible for funding for day services but cannot attend due to the lack of money.

Mr. Noth’s column was of a very personal nature to us as we have the names and faces to go with the story. Please continue to bring these issues before the general public.