Burning up the Kentucky blogosphere today is the story of J.T. Henderson, a Louisville man who President Obama mentioned by name during a press conference after ABC News ran a story featuring Henderson’s answer to the following question: How would a government shutdown (aka The Paul Ryan/Hal Rogers Death-Budget)  effect your family’s day-to-day life?

Writing to ABC’s Jake Trapper on his blog, 5 Million Minus 1, Henderson said:

Thanks for the opportunity to explain why so many “normal people” are dreading a government shutdown. While I am sure our story is a little different from others, the tenets are the same.

My wife and I had to file our taxes by mail this year because we are set to recieve the Adoption Refund. We adopted Tedi (4 years old, picture attached) from Ethiopia in July 2010. I work in development for a non-profit in Louisville, KY. Our agency aids children who have been sexually abused, neglected or been exposed to violence. My wife is a first-year Pediatric Resident at Kosair Children’s Hospital.

As one can imagine, we have large bills from medical school loans, moving expenses, Tedi’s adoption, etc. For the past year, we have been scraping by to get things paid off in hopes of receiving a substantial 2010 tax return (which would be more than 50% of my annual pre-tax salary). News of a government shutdown and subsequent halting of IRS functions (especially for those returns mailed in) has not set well with me.

If I had the opportunity to address President Obama, Speaker Boehner, Rep. Pelosi, Sen. Reid or Sen. McConnell, I would urge them to take action and remember that grandstanding by both parties has real consequences for those of us downhill. This potential shutdown is not just played out on the news by the talking heads- it is played out in living rooms all across America by real people. I read that our soldiers would not be paid until this was all settled! How can this be? Unfortunately, I cannot run my household and family budget like our federal government! I am required to pay my debts as they are due.

I would love to discuss this with you further and delve into our story even further. If needed, I will be a spokesman for what this shutdown is going to do to middle America. I really enjoy your work. Keep it up!

According to Henderson, Trapper contacted him five minutes later.

Here’s the ABC News story:

And here’s the Obama presser:

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As Louisville Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3, pointed out yesterday, the Republican budget plan doesn’t care much for Henderson, his wife and their four-year-old adopted son, Tedi, because they’re not multi-millionaires

And it’s a real shame the president could’ve stopped this by fighting an extension of the Bush tax cuts, but whatever, it’s good PR.