Sad Note-Becky Jirón
Leaves NM P&A
Becky Jirón, an attorney with our P&A, is leaving us after 5
years of dedicated advocacy.
Becky has led P&A's efforts with immigration issues for our clients
with developmental disabilities. Many people who were monolingual Spanish
speaking with mild disabilities were placed in institutions for people with
developmental disabilities decades ago. They were often overlooked for community
placements because of questionable citizenship and yet they had spent most
of their lives in New Mexico forced to live in an institution. When the
institutions were downsizing and closing due to the class action lawsuit
(Jackson v. New Mexico), these residents of questionable status were languishing,
unable to access the benefits afforded to other institutional residents.
Becky wrote letters, contacted state administrators, turned the wheels of
Social Security and Medicaid, and sought community benefits and services
for several of these individuals. These clients are currently living and
working successfully in the communities of New Mexico.
When a child was dying with cancer, and the hospitals were refusing her
treatment, Becky along with Loretta Armenta of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce
assisted the family so that the little girl was able to receive chemotherapy.
Becky spearheaded the campaign to raise funds for her treatments. Although
the young child died after a few treatments, Becky connected the family
with an attorney to pursue the hospital's initial lack of medical care for
their daughter.
When a 10 year old boy from Las Cruces was having psychotic breaks, Becky
took the monolingual family into her home and assisted them in obtaining
evaluations in Albuquerque so that the family could get back on their feet
and begin services to heal their son and return to their community.
When Social Services cut SSI benefits to children with mental health issues,
Becky represented these families She subpoenaed the teachers and counselors
after the school refused to allow the most knowledgeable witnesses to attend
the appeal hearings. When she won the reconsideration appeals, everyone
was stunned, since appeals are generally not as successful as the third
level of appeal, Administrative Reviews.
We will miss our wise, strong, persevering advocate, Becky.