Most people who become disabled would like to stay in their own homes and live independently.

That's possible for many thanks to a state program that provides personal assistants who come in to the home and help with everything from bathing, to preparing meals, to doing housework. 

But they're not available to everyone who needs them. In fact, the program has run out of funds and there's a waiting list of people looking for help. 

In the six years Heather Miller has been coming into Sheila Sandness' home to help her with the tasks of daily living, the two women have become good friends. 

"Sheila and I have built a friendship out of respect and trust and I wouldn't give this job up for anything," Says Miller. 

After the birth of her second child, Sandness came down with encephalitis which left her in a wheelchair. 

"If she didn't have someone here to help her get up in the mornings and go to bed at night and do laundry she would not be able to live on her own," Miller says. 

There are 75 personal attendants like Miller across the state. But the demand has now exceeded the supply. 

Director of the Prairie Freedom Center Matt Cain says, "Right now we can assess the situation, do an assessment and send it up to the state level where they're keeping a waiting list for services due to lack of money." 

The legislature is being asked to appropriate more funds into the program, but in the meantime people who desperately need the care will just have to wait. 

Cain says, "Creating awareness for a service that's really needed is something that will maybe make people stand up and think about that. What would you do if you had a loved one in this situation? What would you do yourself if you were in that situation? 

The Department of Human services currently spends 2.8 million dollars a year on the Assisted Daily Living program. The Governor is asking for an increase of 800-thousand dollars in his budget to serve an additional 20 disabled people. 

The Appropriations Committee is holding hearings on the increase this week.