Marta Torres Challenges President Milei Over Disability Funding Policies
A resident of Cottolengo Don Orione urges policy shifts following a papal visit.
1Public Critique Emerges
Marta Griselda Torres, a 78-year-old resident with cerebral palsy at the Cottolengo Don Orione institution, publicly criticized President Javier Milei. Following a recent visit from Pope Leo XIV, Torres urged the president to adopt a softer approach toward disability policies, explicitly stating that his current stance feels excessively harsh.
2Institutional Funding Concerns
Torres emphasized the financial realities of care facilities, noting that doctors, kinesiologists, and psychopedagogues require salaries to sustain their essential work. She questioned how these professionals could survive without consistent funding, highlighting that while staff provide care with love, the institution depends on resources to maintain its operations.
3The Cottolengo Support System
The Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Claypole currently houses 400 individuals with severe disabilities and pathologies, while providing ambulatory care to another 100 people. Torres, who considers the institution her true family, credited the center with providing the stability and support that her own family could not offer her.
4Papal Visit Context
During his visit to the Claypole institution, Pope Leo XIV met with Torres and Norma Liliana Donatto. The Pope described the lives of people with disabilities as a blessing rather than a burden, asserting that a nation's progress is measured by how it welcomes and supports those with special needs.
5Personal Testimony Shared
Torres presented her autobiography, titled 'Mi vida es un milagro de Dios', to the Pope during their meeting. She also requested blessings for two rosaries intended for the collaborators who assisted in publishing her book. She described the experience of sharing her story with the Pontiff as immensely joyful.
6Legislative Landscape Shifts
These comments occur amid ongoing government budget cuts in the disability sector. The Chamber of Deputies has granted initial approval to a project establishing a permanent framework for disability support. This initiative aims to replace the current Emergency Law 27.793, which is scheduled to expire later this year.
7Political Negotiation Status
The proposed legislative framework currently holds a committee opinion in the Senate. This follows a strategic agreement between the ruling party, La Libertad Avanza, and various opposition blocs. The bill now awaits a final debate and definitive treatment in the legislative chamber to secure long-term funding for the sector.
8Dignity and Policy Debate
The tension between government fiscal adjustments and the demand for specialized care remains a central point of contention. While the administration pursues economic reforms, advocates and residents like Torres argue that disability support requires consistent, dignified attention, maintaining that every life retains inherent value regardless of current economic circumstances.
Original article: Perfil — Marta Torres Challenges President Milei Over Disability Funding Policies