tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54924127649794821812011-10-28T11:31:03.182-07:00Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.comBlogger901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-18613655158564410052011-10-28T11:15:00.000-07:002011-10-28T11:31:03.227-07:00

KEEP RHCS CREATE SYSTEMS FOR SAFETY & PREVENTIONIN GENERAL-COMMUNITY CARE SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE WITH DDCan Tommy's preventable death make a difference? The governor, DSHS and the Wa. legislature need to back up, stop the closures of RHCs! Basic safeguards, systems for prevention of such tragedies are sorely needed in Wa. State's system of "community" residential care. DSHS depends on

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-91235182816929997422011-07-07T19:17:00.000-07:002011-07-07T19:43:10.141-07:00

Triple Tribute to Robin Sims“Resolve is what brings us back every year and what keeps us going as advocates day in and day out, even against the odds. If not us, who? Our resolve speaks to the immediacy of the need and our unending actions to meet our daily challenges.” This statement was part of Robin Sims' last VOR President’s Message. Robin had been VOR’s President since 2008 and “

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-28752822208831827132011-07-04T19:10:00.000-07:002011-07-04T20:23:38.065-07:00

CONSIDERING WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL WITH DDIt has taken me a while to digest some staggering information from 2 budget "conferences" led by DSHS last Thursday. The primary speakers were Susan Dreyfus, DSHS Secretary and Mr. Doug Porter, Assistant Secretary for DSHS Health and Recovery Service.Mr. Porter explained that many of the cuts are in jeopardy due to legislated "start

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-75428377006250984872011-07-03T22:37:00.000-07:002011-07-03T22:43:10.466-07:00

The governor has signed 5459 into law. As noted previously, it is a very flawed law. As I have been assessing the process by which this happened, I keep running into information which makes me question it, question the legitimacy of the process. I wish I were an attorney with such information at my disposal. I have so many questions!Truly, there is no economic benefit to society, nor any to

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-19939600171343087662011-06-23T12:48:00.000-07:002011-06-23T13:26:21.643-07:00

"When the Japanese mend broken objects they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold, because they believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful.- Barbara BloomAfter the intensity of the campaign we have been waging to defend the RHC homes of our loved ones this uplifting thought comes by way of my friend, Marie Dudek. imagine a

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-9283328155270565902011-06-22T20:30:00.000-07:002011-06-23T00:31:34.619-07:00

Having spent the afternoon in consultation with old colleagues in our efforts to retain the best possible services for the greatest number of people with dd, I have come away with the desire to educate and communicate, even if it is one-way. I still hope that readers of the Developmental Disabilities Exchange will want to respond and make it a dialogue, with each other as well as with me,

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-41956896360762964482011-05-30T00:50:00.000-07:002011-05-30T01:08:54.604-07:00

SHARING OUR STORIES Washington State's Residential Habilitation Centers (campus-based communities with comfortably adapted homes) provide centralized services to people with developmental disabilities/intellectual disabilities. For the most part, their residents are people whose needs for care and close attention are high and who have severely limited abilities to function independently. 24-

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-28867275434091277112011-05-27T14:13:00.000-07:002011-05-27T16:10:12.752-07:00

WA. STATE DD SERVICES JEOPARDIZED Previous readers of this blog, as well as many advocates, active throughout this campaign, are familiar with Cheryl Felak, RN and mom to a young man with multiple, severe developmental disabilities. CHERYL has been tireless in her research to oppose 5459 and it's damaging consequences . While I await her reprint permission, I am publishing my own response

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-32128111900077674512011-05-27T13:03:00.000-07:002011-05-27T13:16:35.075-07:00

THE UNSETTLED DUST:When I started this blog, it was with the intention of establishing a forum for peace, and mutual understanding and support among parents, guardians and people with developmental disabilities.However, our Wa. legislative session that just ended, yesterday, has proven to me that there must be some very uncomfortable truth telling before we ever will get to the lofty point

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-7284223939707262742011-05-27T12:20:00.001-07:002011-05-27T13:49:07.231-07:00

2-SSB 5459The 2011 legislative session is officially over, but the Governor has not signed the budget, nor all of the legislation. 2-SSB 5459 passed. It does much more damage than it's closure of Frances Haddon Morgan Center and the freezing of admissions at Yakima Valley School (Both residential habilitation centers (RHCs) and "institutions" by Federal standards) See my next post for a

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-22970500398609664872011-02-19T18:57:00.000-08:002011-05-27T13:18:14.027-07:00

Because We Care - Beyond Inclusion HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? The scenario below is true. The client was 14 at the time. He has a rare genetic syndrome which causes a global developmental delay, early onset pediatric dementia (his brain is shrinking), behavior problems coupled with manic and psychotic episodes. This was after his 5th hospital admission in 1 - 1/2 years. He was on a Home and

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-81593313901318855282011-01-24T19:34:00.000-08:002011-01-24T20:17:14.171-08:00

FORREST SPEAKS!Celebrate with Forrest and his family.Celebrate his opening through art and his art opening! Photography, really.Autism claimed his voice.Voiceless, he acted out.Reader board, camera, loving, patient, and persistent parents and Fircrest School have helped set his voice free!Forrest's photography show has been so successful that he has already sold 16 photos!Now through Feb 10,

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-5565638600738035662011-01-16T10:58:00.000-08:002011-01-24T20:32:47.951-08:00

RHC CLOSURES = INCREASE COSTS + REDUCTION OF SERVICESIn these lean times of budget crisis and harmful cuts I do not understand why anyone would even consider closing the RHCs. Ideological differences aside, just based on economics, this decision would be a BUDGET DISASTER!•Yes, these high needs residents are more expensive to care for: no matter where they live they will be more expensive –

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-32987908694536227812011-01-10T17:38:00.000-08:002011-01-10T18:07:23.790-08:00

Here is a resource for Wa. State residents who are disabled. It is an excerpt from the Washington Access Fund Newsletter.Access Fund NewsJanuary, 2011Medicaid Program Cuts - How the Access Fund can HelpThe WA State Medicaid program began notifying clients in December of a revised list of 2011 program cuts. Some immediate cuts (effective January 1st, 2011) include adult eyeglasses and contacts,

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-6811567799426830412011-01-09T17:41:00.000-08:002011-01-09T18:01:00.551-08:00

Anyone who has information on Anderson's whereabouts is asked to call 206-371-1048, 206-387-0571 or 911.Developmentally disabled Shoreline man has been missing since Dec. 27 seattletimes.nwsource.com Click to read the full Times article with description of Tom, .)Tom Anderson, 62, was last seen at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 27 at his home near North 160th Street and Evanston Avenue

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-57611912537097563292011-01-07T18:32:00.000-08:002011-01-07T19:17:07.073-08:00

No doubt, you already are acquainted with the recently reported sexual assaults on defenseless people with developmental disabilities living in Los Angeles. (Click the title of this blog to read the CNN report.) Over 100 hours of video taped sexual assaults were made available, anonymously, to authorities. How does this happen? Who protects defenseless residents?I would be interested in

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-81230228704822835722011-01-07T18:14:00.000-08:002011-01-07T18:24:45.179-08:00

I have been silent on this blog for some months in large part because I have been struggling with an internal conflict: Lofty Ideal vs Reality. My desire and belief that we, as advocates for people with developmental disabilities should be able to come together and, taking into account our differences, work out mutually agreeable systems for providing the best supports for all concerned vs

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-37884875144910888662010-07-17T09:40:00.000-07:002010-07-17T13:43:55.447-07:00

MORE THAN JUST A PARTYHawaiian theme, marathon kareoke, shy smiles and out-loud laughter, home cooked potluck, old friends, family, professional and regular staff dropping in, and eventually, great giggles from Kathy as she whirled in her dancing wheelchair: The party at Kathy's house started outside on the covered patio, but came inside as breezes blew cooler.Twenty years of familyhood at

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-25496205843649124662010-07-14T15:51:00.001-07:002010-07-14T15:54:26.884-07:00

This essay is an honest portrail of life of a parent with a special needs child - read this and try not to cry.Where Are the Parents?By Sue Stuyvesant, ParentHey everyone. For those of you who don't know me (I'm only an occasional poster) I am mom to Michelle, 9 years old, microcephalic, athetoid/spastic CP, cortical visual impairment, seizure disorder -- and CUTE! OK, now for the reason I'm

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-81137930396032336362010-07-14T13:49:00.000-07:002010-07-14T14:07:26.662-07:00

This is an abbreviated version of an open letter to people who oppose inclusion of Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) in the continuum of services for our family and community members who have disabilities. I felt the need to write it after receiving an extremely misleading Action Alert opposing HR 1255 (HR1255 provides a process by which parents & guardians, on behalf of their children/

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-2463786978095667842010-07-11T07:38:00.000-07:002010-07-11T08:21:50.609-07:00

I have been troubled by the semantics debate. I agree it is important to be respectful, and equally important that words portray accurately what is meant, & most importantly: we all need to recognize that people who taunt others with labels are, themselves, rather intellectually, emotionally, and socially stunted; and we can't legislate against that!I found this to be a refreshing break:

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-19522213647534182442010-07-07T22:48:00.000-07:002010-07-07T23:47:02.268-07:00

I find the following statistics staggering!"One out of 10 children born today is diagnosed with a developmental disability including autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and Prader Willi. One out of every 100 children is diagnosed with autism. Eight out of 10 families raising a special needs child is experiencing divorce, and a disabled child is three times more likely to experience child

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-37339618624891634842010-07-01T23:06:00.001-07:002010-07-02T18:19:50.566-07:00

OK, I admit it; I think Wa state should be utilizing it's resources differently to maximize the services to people with dd in "the community" while retaining RHC (residential developmental center) services options. So, I found cause for optimism in the long-overdue budget proviso passed by the legislature, this year. Had the governor not vetoed it, it would have funded a comprehensive

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-78029071933482202542010-06-25T21:49:00.000-07:002010-06-25T22:07:31.111-07:00

Guardian/Conservator AuthorityTo Choose ICF/MR or "community" homeExcerpts from VOR Weekly E-Update:"As families prepare for the closure of the Clover Bottom Developmental Center, on May 28, a court ruled in favor of the right (of) individuals and legal guardians to choose another ICF/MR (deemed a “congregate” setting), even when professionals have determined the individuals could be provided (

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-37129077491672063792010-06-21T21:10:00.000-07:002010-06-21T21:15:16.252-07:00

The TextSimple, Clear & Straightforward"A BILLTo protect the interests of each resident of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded in class action lawsuits on behalf of such resident.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,SECTION 1. PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF EACH RESIDENT OF INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-26590311507158409682010-06-18T16:17:00.000-07:002010-06-19T11:58:36.379-07:00

As promised, the post, below, is by guest blogger, Tamie Hopp of the VOR. You will see that HR1255 is in deed needed, that it provides critical rights and in no way removes or diminishes any rights.Don't miss the comments following Tamie's explanation, especially the letter by Terri Anderson, Washington State's representative to VOR.Saskia

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-79124420521743056812010-06-18T14:52:00.000-07:002010-06-18T15:58:19.359-07:00

Thank you for this post and for your effort to set the record straight about H.R. 1255.It is simply wrong to say that H.R. 1255 restricts choice. Instead, if passed, H.R. 1255 would restore the rights of individuals and their legal guardians to choose their attorneys and not be forced into lawsuits that threaten the very existence of their homes.Specifically H.R. 1255 would provide residents of

VORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00536181077369688392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-11629969498820365052010-06-17T14:50:00.000-07:002010-06-18T11:21:18.768-07:00

HR 1255PROTECTING RESIDENTIAL CENTER RESIDENTSYesterday, ARC of Wa. distributed a call-to-action regarding HR1255, a bill which I have been following and have understood to be protective of people with dd who need and reside in residential centers. In Washington State we call them RHCs (residential habilitation centers.) Since the thrust of the message was exactly opposite of my understanding

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-11892612489717599572010-06-15T23:56:00.000-07:002010-06-16T20:15:59.133-07:00

The word," inclusion" is coming up a lot, lately, related to people with dd.As usual, points of view are varied. Here are two:Heather N. wrote, asking that Developmental Disabilities Exchange feature the "community"-based services of the business her PR company promotes. Since the purpose of this blog is dialogue and mutual understanding, rather than promotional, it doesn't seem

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-84332178016892349932010-06-05T02:10:00.000-07:002010-06-05T02:15:35.807-07:00

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-25795951250104100582010-06-04T17:14:00.001-07:002010-06-04T22:53:48.136-07:00

Gardens are magical - that's my take on them. I have enjoyed gardening both for my relaxation but also to interact with our son. The garden offers many topics of conversation - from the weeds to the scents of the herbs to birds chirping to bees nesting. We have followed flowers from seeds to gorgeous blooms and grown vegetables and berries. The garden offers education in so

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-85658572037746741752010-06-02T10:31:00.000-07:002010-06-02T18:46:29.401-07:00

501-c3 COMPUTER DONATIONS NEEDED(IRS deductible / Friends of Fircrest )Hi SaskiaI am making a request on behalf of the Fircrest Assistive Technology Clinic for donations of computers for people who live at Fircrest School in Shoreline Washington. Almost all homes have at least one Mac for residents to use. Some of these are extremely old and failing. At this time we are requesting help in

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-13063561119580413012010-05-29T12:29:00.000-07:002010-05-29T12:31:21.094-07:00

Autistic Boy Arrested After Confrontation With Officer - Sacramento News Story - KCRA SacramentoThis story brings tears to my eyes and fury to my soul - I think about children that I know who have been unjustly arrested and treated like criminals due to their disabilities. This is what our crisis teams look like sometimes. Even upon discharge from the hospital, we were told there was nothing

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-16284933005855801952010-05-18T21:11:00.001-07:002010-05-18T23:15:49.204-07:00

NAMIWalk - Seattle, WAActionDD formed a team to walk in the fundraiser for NAMI to help bring awareness to the issues that many of our family members face - being dually diagnosed with both a developmental disability and mental illness.NADD, an association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs, is an organization that I recently joined to gather more information. As

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-23882655218587227832010-05-17T16:33:00.000-07:002010-05-17T16:35:41.798-07:00

I found this article on the ActionDD.org website. This looks absolutely terrific - it's things like this that can happen when people dream!HOUSINGFamilies seek approval of special-needs subdivisionsA bill that would allow subdivisions catering to the developmentally disabled raises questions on how best to integrate those with special needs into society.BY ROBERT SAMUELSHERALD/TIMES TALLAHASSEE

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-28912855205114921852010-05-17T15:36:00.000-07:002010-05-17T15:48:55.239-07:00

byPeanut Butter & JellyAs I watched his shoulders smoothly roll back and forth, his arms slicing through the water, his strong legs kicking behind with hardly a splash, I remembered that my son was always more graceful in water than he was on land. As a toddler he crashed his way through life with more than his fair share of thumps and bumps; a "toe runner" the neurologist called him, and then

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-6019479327920033682010-05-11T18:49:00.000-07:002010-05-11T20:19:28.909-07:00

I attended the Seattle City Council Finance and Budget Committee on May 4, 2010. I, too, as the previous woman who posted about this meeting, was amazed at the number of people in attendance. I believe there were well over 600 people crammed into the cafeteria and there was an "overflow" room next door. I attended this meeting (my first ever) to support our Seattle Parks and Recreation

Cheryl Felakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11031678465608678049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-32987229284931597142010-05-11T18:27:00.000-07:002010-05-11T19:43:45.727-07:00

Today, I am delighted to introduce Cheryl Felak as a new author of Developmental Disabilities Exchange!Cheryl has been a contributing reader since the blog's beginning in January. I have been inspired by her seemingly tireless energy and enthusiasm as well as her thirst for answers!Cheryl comes to us with rich experience and I know readers will be eager to know about her; but I would like to

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-64802822986710296902010-05-09T09:44:00.000-07:002010-05-10T07:12:31.135-07:00

WHY NOT TO CUT THE SEATTLE PARKS BUDGETA Personal StoryByPeanut Butter 'n JellyYou have to understand that it would ordinarily take an Act of Congress and a College Football Team to wrestle my son into a suit and tie, but after twenty years of participation in Seattle Parks and Recreation's Specialized Programs, when someone handed him an invitation to a Public Hearing that involved possible

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-59188702255771782052010-05-01T21:08:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:25:34.687-07:00

Autism & DD Pioneer Speaking from the points of view of a sibling who once was part of her sister's caregiving family-team, current guardian, nurse, and former developmental therapist, I fully endorse the basic maxim that learning must wait on maturation. What this means is that a person cannot learn something until his/her brain-neuro-muscular system is sufficiently mature to

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-34860266429846319172010-04-29T23:01:00.000-07:002010-04-30T00:14:34.269-07:00

Parent CommentsbyCheryl Felak(Tomorrow, end of business, is the deadline for written public comment on the proposed King County DDD 3 year plan. Have you written & sent your input? If not, your voice is important!For access to the draft plan and submission info, click on this post's title.)Cheryl is a parent whose son with dd lived at home until it recently became too difficult for everyone

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-74008043556433900192010-04-26T07:49:00.000-07:002010-04-26T08:26:39.682-07:00

Hybrid Day Care&Professional Arts CenterMINNEAPOLISHere are excerpts from an MPP Downtownjournal article by Gregory Scott about a program that, without even trying, seems to both stretch and challenge the concept of community inclusion!"A hybrid day care and professional arts center, Interact admits people with disabilities on a selective basis. Those accepted train professionally in

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-13509234291840694332010-04-20T17:01:00.000-07:002010-04-26T08:31:29.833-07:00

KING COUNTY PLAN 2010-2013 ServicesFor People with Developmental Disabilities Including Children : Birth To 3 yearsLetter from:From: Campbell, Jane [mailto:Jane.Campbell@kingcounty.gov]Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 3:29 PMSubject: Public Input to King County DDD 2010-2013 PlanThe King County Developmental Disabilities Division (KC DDD) has released the draft Plan for Developmental Disabilities

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-33035899690055092232010-04-19T13:45:00.000-07:002010-04-19T14:01:10.467-07:00

NEW DENTAL SERVICESSeattleSpecial needs children in the Seattle area will soon have a new option for dental care. Opening of the Washington Dental Service Early Childhood Oral Health (ECOH) clinic will soon result from collaboration between Seattle Children's Hospital and the UW School of Dentistry. September 2010 is when the service is planned to open in a former Navy Administration

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-367549397254045892010-04-19T01:11:00.000-07:002010-04-19T02:23:50.950-07:00

ENTRY AND PERMANENT STATUS RIGHTSDid you know that ICFs/MR (Intermediate Care Facilities for people with Mental Retardation) & NFs (Nursing Facilities) can be elected by their residents as their permanent homes (or their legal representatives can make that choice for them)?"Ugh! Who would want that?" People do; because, for some folks, such residences afford more, not less, freedom and

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-30039941438062513732010-04-17T16:14:00.000-07:002010-04-17T16:33:00.438-07:00

NEW GRANT FUNDS YOUTH TRANSITIONSSCHOOL TO ADULT LIFEA $3 million grant from the Walmart Foundation School‐to‐Community Transition Project of the Walmart Foundation will help support a new initiative to help youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The money will be shared nationwide by 45 local chapters of The ARC, including the ARC of Washington State.To learn if your

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-6264586433215010732010-04-17T15:46:00.000-07:002010-04-18T23:37:17.677-07:00

The Washington State 2010 Supplemental Budget has been released after a long, extended session. It now remains for our governor to sign it or send it back.Readers from other states are invited to submit lists for their own states similar to the one, below, for Washington. It could give us all a sense of being part of something bigger and some orientation related to how our states

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-81828125239895470322010-04-17T13:23:00.000-07:002010-04-17T16:54:19.725-07:00

What Would You Like?I am not sure how many are visiting here, so far. Probably, I will need to repeat this, or variations of it, as our numbers increase.My hope for Developmental Disabilities Exchange is to establish a dynamic conversation, maybe many, on the subjects of improving what is available for people with developmental disabilities.In our state, much focus has been on a

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-82802729635369148902010-04-17T09:05:00.000-07:002010-04-19T03:26:41.697-07:00

8th Annual Sprout Film Festival"Making The Invisible Visible" April 30th-May 2nd, 2010NEW YORK"NEW YORK, April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 8th Annual Sprout Film Festival invites the general public to experience a film festival which showcases the lives, performances, and accomplishments of people with developmental disabilities. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art over the weekend of

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-30560573171742895802010-04-09T17:15:00.000-07:002010-04-09T18:51:52.181-07:00

VOR ACTION ALERTApril 9, 2010PRESIDENT'S NOMINEE for NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITIES IS REPORTED TO OPPOSE AUTISM CURE RESEARCH FUNDINGSent by request of Robin Sims, VOR President."This Action Alert pertains to a Presidential nominee for the National Council on Disability (NCD), Ari Ne'eman. Mr. Ne'eman, who has Asperger's syndrome, is a self-proclaimed self-advocate for all persons with autism

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-88363638502889255112010-04-04T22:55:00.000-07:002010-04-05T15:05:27.596-07:00

*A phenomenon which we seldom see discussed is dual and multiple diagnosis among people with developmental disabilities. Mental illness is among the more common problems with which it can be paired. Another very challenging situation occurs in families in which one child has a developmental disability and another has a mental illness.The following invitation comes from a parent who has such

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-59321642373060774802010-03-29T01:17:00.000-07:002010-03-29T02:18:41.322-07:00

There is a lot of emphasis, lately on language, especially debate over the words "mental retardation." On the one hand, with regard to public services, diagnoses of pathology are often required to obtain them. We have to be careful that in insisting on retiring old language, we somehow retain the ability to access needed services.On the other hand, language very much shapes our perceptions;,

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-32376539019338348842010-03-25T19:12:00.000-07:002010-03-25T21:19:57.361-07:00

Excepts From a Funny & Moving BookHere are excerpts from an enjoyable, and eye-opening story by Barbara Shumaker. I recommend a visit to the website cited below for the entire piece.'"we got a letter from an attorney asking us to contact him about the bicycle accident involving Matthew. It turned out that while riding his bike, Matthew had apparently collided with a young boy on his

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-72374307811113154762010-03-24T21:41:00.000-07:002010-03-24T22:05:41.575-07:00

MARK YOUR CALENDARJune 4 - 9The Liaison Capitol HillWashington, D.C. REGISTRATIONEARLY BIRDS SAVEFOR DISCOUNT, REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 1VOR Members who register before April 1, 2010 receive a discounted registration fee of just $40.Available at http://vor.net/events/ :Complete details, online registration or flyer with details, & registration formSponsorship and Recognition Opportunities!

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-45640937888502031232010-03-23T20:01:00.000-07:002010-03-23T20:14:45.131-07:00

On March 22, 2010 @ 5:22pm, Lynn U. Berman wrote:Hi Saskia,I thought your followers on Developmental Disabilities Exchange might be interested in the following information about our upcoming conference in New York City.The YAI Network's 31st Annual International Conference: “Decade of Decisions: Moving Forward in Developmental and Learning Disabilities” will be held on April 26-29, 2010.Designed

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-78987439488082832010-03-22T12:48:00.000-07:002010-03-22T13:32:49.080-07:00

*WA. PEOPLE WITH DD NEED ALL 5 RHCS in the FULL CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THEM.It's time to call & email your legislators, again. The more, the better.Get friends and family to do the same. And, tomorrow, start over!

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-61268211051319419782010-03-21T18:32:00.000-07:002010-03-21T18:57:35.964-07:00

I've been reading a book, Rachel in the World - A Memoir; and the author took her daughter to this place in Israel. It is a self-sustaining community. I think this would be wonderful for some of our folks! Here is a link to it - http://www.kishorit.co.il/SiteFiles/1/1689/13030.asp -Pandiecats

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-69633633217009214632010-03-20T22:49:00.000-07:002010-03-20T23:28:18.181-07:00

This article was submitted by Pandiecats. In it, she elaborates on comments she made in response to the article entitled RHC &/OR Community" Arc & A Family Who Knows Both. (To read it, click article name in side list: 3/18/2010)Pandiecats: The Arc of Washington has banned me from their Facebook group. They also won't post anything from me on their blog. I have been banned!This is the ARC’s

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-76275070979588700742010-03-20T09:44:00.000-07:002010-03-20T10:03:48.853-07:00

Here is some very tastey food-for-thought, from a lengthy report of a workshop presented by the New Mexico Center for Self-Advocacy in Albuquerque. The writer, Jaime Vergara, is the father of 2 children with autism spectrum disorder."Based on current wisdom that chaos is at the bottom of our physics, and individual diversity is the universal norm, the view that “disability” is just one's

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-90814755815165384922010-03-18T00:10:00.000-07:002010-03-18T01:34:50.898-07:00

Summarized, below, is an email exchange which vividly illustrates both sides of the dispute over RHCs. It was provided by the family of 2 people with dd: one, Jason, a child living at home with his parents, the other a sibling, David C., who lives successfully in an RHC. After the introductory note by the child's mother, the summary represents their correspondence with the Policy &

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-60992544120219087932010-03-16T00:36:00.000-07:002010-03-16T00:53:06.067-07:00

Press release submitted by Tami S Seitz 3/15/10 (Excerpted)(http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=483980)MOLINE, IL:"Alzheimer's disease is increasing among persons with developmental disabilities, particularly those with Down Syndrome. It must be considered a terminal condition that presents numerous challenges to provider organizations, families and friends of those who are

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-50652213637133580882010-03-16T00:10:00.000-07:002010-03-16T00:21:38.615-07:00

Could this proposal have merit?By Carl Orth | The Suncoast News NEW CHARTER SCHOOL (excerpts)Published: March 6, 2010HUDSON - Potential is a terrible thing to waste. So Emile Laurino hopes his concept for a new charter school will go to the head of the class. Families are looking for a different approach to education for their children with developmental disabilities, according to an "action

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-16044639416716265662010-03-14T22:04:00.000-07:002010-03-14T22:23:07.401-07:00

Recently, I started this blog, hoping that conversation among people with their differing needs & experiences would lead to mutual caring & support &, eventually, to mutual, creative solutions to the problems we face. Care for people with dd is very expensive, but thinking back over the many years I have been involved, assuming there is not enough money for this or that only assures that the

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-54334217195199005242010-03-11T03:15:00.000-08:002010-03-11T03:43:35.826-08:00

"He drew a circle that left me out, heretic, rebel, a thing to flout;but Love and I had the wit to win;we drew a circle that took him in."This verse comes back to me from childhood. I wish I knew to whom the authorship credit belongs.Just now, it seems to fit perfectly the strategy that those who need RHCs are called upon to adopt.One of ARC's and the DDC's newest initiatives is "We All

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-72632479807819627462010-03-11T01:44:00.000-08:002010-03-11T02:00:37.074-08:00

Yesterday, some much needed sanity was added to SB6182 by senators who understand the importance of the role that RHCs play and who support fiscal accountability & even-handedness in making law, as well as absence of conflict of interest. Gold stars for Senators Schoesler, King, Honeford, Roach and Sheldon!Saskia

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-64431875371471145022010-03-10T12:35:00.000-08:002010-03-10T12:56:01.561-08:00

Here is still another lucid argument & plea by the mother of a person with autism. Having recently lived in the "community," her son now is in an RHC." One can readily understand his family's strong support for retaining them."This is my family's story if Fircrest is closed:We just barely survived Fodor Homes and the stress of the closure. Our severely autistic son, who can be violent,

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-24433168668942646732010-03-09T22:42:00.000-08:002010-03-09T23:13:37.483-08:00

Here is a grandmother's letter that was recently sent to legislators. I am posting it in the hope that it will help RHC opponents understand the importance of the programs for which they are advocating closure, and too, that along with the "community," RHCs have also sustained severe cuts in revenue, forcing elimination &/or decline of important services."Our grandson is in an institution; and

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-12057355819661610252010-03-08T21:34:00.000-08:002010-03-08T22:14:25.409-08:00

You are strongly encouraged to visit this website: http://olympiainsider.org/. Cut and paste this URL or click on the link in the left hand list. You will see a list of pictures representing podcast videos, below which are links that you can click to play or download. You can read instructions at the top.What you will find is a series of surprisingly well done, very political videos, shot on

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-39743793504832667342010-03-07T23:31:00.000-08:002010-03-07T23:40:14.106-08:00

This interactive book just came to my attention. I haven't seen it, personally, but it sounds wonderful for late talkers. THE BIG BOOK OF EXCLAMATIONS. Here is the URL: http://linkme4ever.com/watches/?p=2054 .Please, if you buy and use it, come back to us with your review.Saskia

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-60568534140626578752010-03-06T05:01:00.000-08:002010-03-06T05:35:39.102-08:00

It is easy for us to be experts on the type of developmental disabilities our loved ones, wards, clients, and neighbors have. Toward more mutual understanding & empathy and a deeper sense of community, we will be adding reading, movies & possibly even art & music.Here are a few resources related to autism.Temple GrandinDr. Temple Grandin is a remarkable woman with autism who teaches at a

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-55314062677119213882010-03-05T21:52:00.000-08:002010-03-05T22:00:37.875-08:00

Here is a heartwarming, "community" oriented, success story. It is reprinted from The Journal on line:By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer 10:38 PM Sunday, February 28, 2010HAMILTON — Elizabeth Crehan loves sports. Known as Liz or Lizzy to most, she excels in softball and is looking forward to playing shortstop this spring. But perhaps she should have considered track, because the 39-year-old laps

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-68697158397013163672010-03-05T21:27:00.000-08:002010-03-05T21:50:51.445-08:00

Understanding that it is never over until the budget is signed by the Governor, if all goes well, SB-6182, the bill that would have removed RHCs from state statute, has died. As of 5:45, with cut-off at 6:00, it had not passed out of the Rules Committee, and Committee Chair Brad Owens' Aide did not consider it probable that it would at such a late hour.How this would affect the budget

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-4068207126641792362010-03-04T00:01:00.000-08:002010-03-04T02:45:18.759-08:00

SB 6182, should it become law, would remove RHCs from State statute. It would clear one obstacle from the path of closing the RHCs. Yesterday, in the morning it was added to the Sen. Ways & Means schedule and then passed on to the Rules Committee without having had a public hearing. Last year, it was tabled for lack of sufficient time for testimony in it's hearing! Why would public

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-58069813724196189182010-02-28T20:12:00.000-08:002010-02-28T22:11:39.236-08:00

The House budget doesn't close Frances Haddon Morgan Center; The Senate budget would close it .FHMC families are frightened at the possibility. One of their many reasons is inadequate "quality assurance" in the "community." Inadequate, that is, to protect cognitively impaired children or adults with severe developmental disabilites.This is not to say that all “community” venues are bad, only

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-20935934315528228742010-02-19T21:18:00.000-08:002010-02-19T21:58:54.793-08:00

Lonnie was one of those children who were admitted to Rainier School when he was barely fourteen years old. He will be sixty-two this year. He is the oldest of five siblings – one brother and three sisters. From the day Lonnie was born, he was extremely hyperactive and had an attention span of zero seconds. Elementary school class work was difficult for him. He couldn’t stay focused. Now,

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-89043479409225719272010-02-16T20:51:00.000-08:002010-02-17T07:56:37.338-08:00

Today, I want to recommend you to some new links and posts @ actiondd.org. (To go to the site, click on the word, "ActionDD" toward the bottom of the list of websites to the left. )Thank you to Paul Strand, Actiondd's webmaster for the new information. It should come in handy as you write to and talk with your legislators.I was pleased to receive, off line, a query about why I am not posting

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-89588022332533423822010-02-14T15:29:00.000-08:002010-02-14T17:12:12.114-08:00

What an extraordinary labor of love! The day was wet, cold and grey, the site: the sidewalk of a busy Bremerton street and a parking lot, donated by Arnold's Furniture. The event was the statewide rally to rescue Frances Haddon Morgan Center. A couple of portable canopies kept the food dry and provided dry space for conversation. Dedicated RHC proponents got drenched while chanting and

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-45275203156463447302010-02-12T21:38:00.000-08:002010-02-12T22:11:31.636-08:00

RHC Residents' Rights Rally Saturday, Feb 13, 11:30-4:00Help save the rights of families to choose the services for their loved ones that serve their "best interests."Families, caregivers & union members from across the state are coming to rally for our loved ones!We will share stories, & make friends and connectionsto become even more effective to sustain the rights of all of the

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-56454781947496127232010-02-11T18:10:00.000-08:002010-02-11T18:32:41.626-08:00

Thank you , everyone, for your letters to legislators, your stories that illustrate the value of RHCs! Be encouraged that they have paid off to the extent that the 3 RHC attack bills appear to be dead.HOWEVER, please keep up your letters, calls and stories to legislators in order to prevent resurrection, next week, when the supplemental budgets are unveiled. If you haven't contacted your

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-33507732225610035902010-02-11T12:46:00.000-08:002010-02-11T12:57:30.844-08:00

On Feb 10, 2010, at 8:16 AM, marsha sutton wrote:Letter to Ways and Means committee February 10, 2010We ask you to not support SSB6780 which fails to address our concerns regarding SB6780.In 2009 my husband and myself spoke before the House and Senate giving details of our daughter Rachel’s abuse in the private and community care facilities which went on for several years until she was finally

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-85926413480034577722010-02-09T21:07:00.000-08:002010-02-09T22:46:29.214-08:00

Dear RHC friends,Below is what ARC has put out to their membership, today (excerpted.) This is really a shame. We should not be in the position of defending critical resources for people who already have been failed by the "community." Neither should "community" residents who genuinely do not have services be in the position they are. We should be working together to find solutions to

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-20568683045311318872010-02-08T04:19:00.000-08:002010-02-08T05:42:14.247-08:00

That SSB-6780 will cost far more than legislators are being told comes as no surprise to those of us who remember the 2003-05 Fircrest closure attempt. For a downloadable Fact Sheet on the costs, click on "COSTS OF SSB-6780" in the link list on the left. Just scroll down a little. (If you received a cost fact sheet by email on Saturday, 2/6, you have it already, though this one is in PDF.)

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-80004286141688433792010-02-07T12:12:00.000-08:002010-02-08T05:35:56.646-08:00

As discussed in the previous post, the Senate Health & Long Term Care committee, last week, amended the RHC closure bill (SSB-6780) and passed it. Next stop: Senate Ways & Means Committee.ActionDD ( advocates for a full continuum of care and services for people with developmental disabilities : residential habilitation center or one of the many "community" residential options supported by

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-42464139566148384902010-02-05T01:41:00.000-08:002010-02-05T21:23:04.907-08:00

This blog is long, but a quick read.Below are some info & reasons for defeating SSB6780 and encouragement to call Senate Ways and Means Committee members. The names and numbers are at the bottom.The RHC closure bill is still bad business. From a humane point of view, it repeals the legal rights of RHC residents to an adjudicated appeal process when a move planned by the State may not be

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-87112317991793347462010-02-01T16:15:00.000-08:002010-02-01T16:32:32.170-08:00

SB6780 (See the 2 posts, below.) was introduced right before the 3 part Seattle TIMES expose on abuses of Seniors in adult family homes. The kind of abuses described in the first article mimic those suffered by my sister, Kathy, in a community facility before she came to Fircrest. Be sure to read the article, as its message also speaks to the potential for current RHC residents should they

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-18724116336445302542010-02-01T14:50:00.000-08:002010-02-01T15:56:11.762-08:00

If passed, SB6780 would not help "community" residents with dd, it would not save money for the state and it would harm to RHC residents. (See post below)You can help defeat it: Tell the committee members your concerns and ask them to vote against SB6780.1. Make calls to your Senator and to each of the members of the Senate Health and Long Term Care committee: Keep trying until you get

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-69962663297708545392010-02-01T13:06:00.000-08:002010-02-01T16:05:14.677-08:00

CLOSE ALL 5 RHCS?Senator Freiser, chair of the Washington State Senate Health and Long Term Care committee, has introduced a new bill that would close all 5 of the residential habilitation centers (RHCs) for people with developmental disabilities. The is bill is a travesty; it's passage would be tragic for people who need and thrive in RHCs. Sponsors are Senators Ranker, Kline, Delvin and

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-19679027264566857462010-01-27T20:08:00.000-08:002010-07-10T15:34:57.848-07:00

Everyone's Input is WelcomeThis evening, I finally can invite everyone to participate in this blog. Until now, the "comment" section has been locked; and it seemed wrong to invite you to conversation and then prohibit it, so I've been waiting. I am new to this business of blogging, so I'm just feeling my way along.Part of my background is as a facilitator of peer support groups. Our groups

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-24370757836902620752010-01-18T01:04:00.000-08:002010-01-18T12:26:25.598-08:00

Ever since Gov. Gregoire proposed in her budget to close all of the residential habilitation centers, (RHCs), I have been asking: "What would be gained?""Revenue savings?" Hardly! Even though the closure study missed many of the costs associated with "community" services for people with developmental disabilities, it did admit that RHC closures would cost the state money!Liberation for RHC

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-18995453603111794872010-01-16T04:40:00.000-08:002010-07-17T22:26:14.022-07:00

I am guardian of my sister, Kathy, who entered my life as a brain injured newborn. I was 5 at the time. She was placed in my arms within the first hour after she arrived home. From then on, I thought she was mine.Doctors advised my parents to "put the baby away and forget about her." That was never an option. Kathy would stay at home in our family. Period. In order to assure resources

Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0