A Precious Life Ending?
Program serving disabled people faces possible shut down

Executive director Art Hardy, left, Chris Chischilly and Cecelia Fred, all volunteers at Linah lliih Inc. at Rio West Mall are struggling to come up with the necessary grant money to stay open and provide services. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Staff Writer

GALLUP — After six years of service, the volunteers of Iinah Iliih, Inc., a non-profit organization that offers services for disabled people and veterans, is preparing for a possible shutdown.

"We haven't heard anything yet (about funding)," said Arthur Hardy, Executive Director of Iinah Iliih, also known as Precious Life. Hardy, who is a veteran and disabled from a DUI accident, is one of several volunteers involved in the program.

The organization, whose annual budget is $50,000 and runs solely on volunteers, has never had a problem receiving funding in the past.

"It's always been steady," said Cecelia Fred, a volunteer and one of five primary founders of Iinah Iliih.

The organization is expected to receive a letter this week confirming whether they will be able to continue their services. But just in case they do not get funding, they are packing up to avoid an unnecessary rent payment.

The organization has provided disabled individuals with several services, one being providing necessary items such as wheelchairs, shower chairs, power chairs, walkers, canes, and sliding boards. Many of these items, which range in cost from $1,000 to $6,500 are provided free of cost through the program, which receives them from the Arizona Paralyzed Veterans of America; however, with the possible closure, these services will end.

One service that the Precious Life will have to end is the selling of art made by disabled persons. As you walk into the Iinah Iliih office in the Rio West Mall, you will see handmade art such as paintings, bracelets, key chains, and pottery for sale. People make the items and put them up for sale at the office free of charge. At the end of the month, the artists, who are from all over the Four Corners area and surrounding reservations, pick up the money from whatever items were sold. Many of the artists, who range from 10 years old on up, receive Social Security or SSI, but choose to make the art and put it up for sale for supplemental income.

"They don't have extra money to live on," said Fred, who is also disabled from a gunshot wound.

The program also funded silversmith training for some of the artists.

"Six out of 18 are now running their own business in their homes," she said.

Fred doesn't expect any more classes because of funding cuts.

Iinah Iliih is not the only organization that is suffering from funding cuts, but other 501-3C organizations are crossing their fingers for continued funding. In the past, Iinah Iliih has received funding from organizations such as the Development Disability Planning Council, and various organizations that assist disabled citizens and veterans; however, because of funding cuts from Washington, D.C., many organizations are in the same boat.

This past week Hardy, who is also the national director for Paralyzed Veterans for America, was in Washington D.C. to advocate for monies for housing on behalf of disabled veterans where he talked to several Senators and Congressman. It was here that Hardy learned that other organizations were in the same position as Iinah Iliih.

Fred is frustrated with the lack of support from the Navajo tribe when it comes to disabled persons.

"We have to advocate with the state for funding," said Fred.

Regardless, she plans to continue to help educate others on how to prevent injuries that can cause a disability. The space in the mall where Iinah Iliih is located is also the office to the ThinkFirst Navajo Chapter, which is a national injury prevention program whose mission is to prevent such things as brain and spinal cord injuries on the Navajo Nation through culturally sensitive education.

"We became the first Native American ThinkFirst in 2005," said Fred.

Fred and Hardy, who also volunteer in this program, have received funding to continue the program, but they will have to move to a smaller office. The program is the first and only Native American program of its kind offered in the country. The volunteers give presentations on gun safety, DUI's, seatbelt safety, and other injury prevention.

In April, the volunteers plan to share their stories with students at schools on the reservation and Gallup to help prevent injuries. While the ThinkFirst program will continue on, both Fred and Hardy are disappointed in the possible closing of Iinah Iliih.

"We're going to tell people to get ready, and if they have anything here, they need to pick up their stuff," said Fred.

Iinah Iliih will have a meeting on Friday at 10 a.m. at its office to discuss the possible closure of the program.
For more information regarding Iinah Iliih, call Arthur Hardy at 505-722-7023.