tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54924127649794821812024-02-02T08:19:08.238-08:00Developmental Disabilities ExchangeSaskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-86810727547229411872019-10-17T12:50:00.001-07:002019-10-17T12:50:30.815-07:00RHC Services to Non-RHC residents with DD in WA State A benefit to non-residential habilitaton center (RHC) residents with DD is closer to becoming reality. Many years ago, "community" residents were coming to Fircrest School (an RHC) for professional services: dentistry, therapies and medical services. It was not entirely wonderful for the Fircrest residents because money allocated for their care was being shared to Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-53373045590592805762019-10-12T11:55:00.004-07:002019-10-12T12:19:34.963-07:00CONTROL AS AN ISSUE. You may already know I'm writing a memoir about my sister Kathy's and my journey together.
Hopefully, when it's published, readers will find inspiration in its stories. Right now, what the writing is doing for me is bringing up memories long laid to rest....I thought.
Today, what came up was our Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-14897360000890719012019-10-12T11:02:00.001-07:002019-10-12T12:49:25.287-07:00"MY BABY RIDE'S THE SHORT BUS"MY BABY RIDE'S THE SHORT BUS is the title of an anthology of stories by "alternative" parents of kids with disabilities. I'm finding it well written and thought provoking. For parents and families of kids with disabilities, parts could be validating. For people lacking such first hand experience, it could be eye-opening. If you read it, or already have read it,Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-72862321816322364262019-09-30T19:22:00.000-07:002019-10-12T12:54:42.423-07:00Sec of State, Ralph Munroe, IDD Pioneer This article isn’t a quick read, but its worth your time if you’re interested in the political history of IDD in Washington State.. Former Sec of State Ralph Monroe: IDD PioneerSaskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-14148237798548240852019-09-24T00:57:00.000-07:002019-10-25T23:24:01.610-07:00RHCS: WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT "NORMAL" PEOPLE?
Waiting for Funfest Barbecue Lunch @ Fircrest
Until her death 11 months ago, my sister, Kathy, lived at Fircrest School in one of the homes in its award -winning nursing facility. For those who aren't familiar with Fircrest, it's a residential habilitation center (RHC) in Shoreline Wa, just next door to Seattle.
So what is anSaskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-17011030470404936082019-08-19T00:33:00.001-07:002019-08-19T00:47:32.778-07:00OREGON GROUP HOME ABUSE BELIEVABLE$45 Million Abuse Law Suit: Oregon Group Home
State sponsored
abuse. Even though the article is about allegation, I find the
reporting believable. Several years ago, I interviewed several parents
and guardians of people who had been forced out of their state-run
institution in Oregon when it was
arbitrarily closed to supposedly improve the lives of it's residents who Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-80963696767628386552019-08-18T23:32:00.000-07:002019-08-18T23:35:31.334-07:00DSHS Closes Spokane Group Home; Abuse/Neglect
I wonder how many unannounced visits were made to assure compliance and safety? My guess would be none. I would love to learn I was wrong and that DSHS had adopted new quality assurance policies aimed at prevention of such deaths instead of simply depending on complaints and reports of non-compliance or abuse.
Aug.
15 2019 Facebook Post
Cheryl Felak
August 15 at 12Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-12117640101974652542019-08-18T23:16:00.000-07:002019-08-18T23:18:36.618-07:00My Dear Kathy Has Passed Away Sadly, my dear sister, Kathy, passed away last October. She was very ill for several months before she died.
Well before her illness was apparent, the demands of her guardianship were becoming progressively more intense. Since then, I've needed time away from DD issues, time to heal my heart and re-orient to matters so long left Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-91050462206401737572017-09-27T12:45:00.000-07:002017-09-27T12:54:47.148-07:00DEVELOPMENTAL AGE: HARMFUL OR HELPFUL?Responding to Ivanova Smith's Sept 9, 2017, NOS magazine article, Nora Baladerian wrote against identifying developmental age (here,)
Although my previous opposing comments had been censored by the magazine, since having learned that the administrator had been replaced, I decided to try again. At this point my "comment is awaiting moderation". In the meantime, while we Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-68014516638517906522017-09-24T21:39:00.002-07:002017-09-25T17:25:50.117-07:00SOMETIMES "TWO" - SOMETIMES "TWENTY THREE"This story came to me in an email today.
BTW: I love these people: Thomas for his innocence and fresh, enthusiastic love of life and his very special parents for nurturing and supporting him exactly where he is at all times, never pushing him to be more than he is, but always helping him to learn what he wants to learn, and do what he wants to do within the limits of Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-3697396710571548892017-09-09T09:32:00.000-07:002017-09-24T21:47:46.317-07:00MENTAL AGE VS "MENTAL AGE THEORY"In her very instructive opinion piece, here, Ivanova Smith explains why she opposes "mental age theory." She says: "Have you ever heard the phrase “that person has the mind of a five
year old In an adult body. "For years,
medical professionals have told parents of newly diagnosed
Intellectually disabled people that they would mentally be children for
their Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-88337548775225179712017-09-03T09:35:00.000-07:002017-09-03T09:46:07.196-07:00SUBMINIMUM WAGE HOT POTATOHISTORY & IMPLICATIONS
THE SEATTLE SUB-MINIMUM WAGE HOT POTATO has deep roots and serious implications. The bottom line is that Parents and Guardians of people whose cognitive/social/physical development makes sub-minimum wage imperative for their job retention, should contact the Seattle City Council members. Find email addresses here: https://sccinsight.com/Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-42145750926844690582017-04-14T20:07:00.002-07:002017-04-14T20:10:51.850-07:00KEEP FIRCREST OPEN: SAVE LIVES4/13/17
Dear Senator:
I'm writing on behalf of my sister, Kathy, who lives at Fircrest. She is very medically fragile.
We're hearing that some legislators want to sell Fircrest's land to help balance the budget. The medical or mental/behavioral stability of most of Fircrest's residents is fragile. It depends on very strict care parameters that are Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-45866825603268591362017-04-14T19:43:00.000-07:002017-04-14T19:50:22.880-07:00WHY FIRCREST IS ESSENTIALDear Senators,
Words that often describe Fircrest residents when they first arrive: "Vulnerable,","Volatile," "Violent," "Unstable," "Fragile," "Difficult," "Traumatized" "Anxious," "Dangerous," "Scared," "Hurting," "Over-stimulated", "Dual Diagnosed", "Physically, mentally, &/or medically ill", "Out of control," "Obsessive," "Paranoid," "Panicked, "Withdrawn," "Frustrated,Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-46973123228468689132016-08-22T08:29:00.001-07:002017-04-14T19:03:16.818-07:004/14/17 FIGHTING FOR FIRCREST, AGAIN The official end of Washington's legislative session is April 23. The Senate bill by Senator Karen Keiser that would close Fircrest School has been held back from a vote in the Senate so far, but we can't breathe that sigh of relief because it may well be dragged out at the very last minute as "necessary to implement the budget." Now, why would that be so? Because there Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-51850453918945464942016-08-22T08:29:00.000-07:002016-08-22T08:37:53.325-07:00SEEKING VOLUNTEER BASKETBALL "HERO."Yesterday, I met a delightful young man with special needs. His grandma, whom I met later, is raising him. I believe she told me he is 12 but about 3 years behind his age group because of autism. He first spoke when he was 6 years old.
He came out, alone, to greet me when I came to his yard sale. He said he was the "sales man". Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-71568067865728821782016-04-29T13:17:00.000-07:002016-04-29T13:38:13.685-07:00GROUP HOMES STRUGGLE TO REMAIN STAFFED
Detractors call State Run Therapeutic Communities "institutions" as though that were a dirty word.
What we have in WA are 4 state-run, campus based, full service, therapeutic communities especially for people with idd. In order to garner the Medicaid matching funds, the legislature has to fund them at levels necessary to pass annual CMS audits. This makes for fewer people Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-69156795513234708482016-04-27T10:02:00.001-07:002016-04-27T11:22:40.600-07:00FRAME THUMBS HER MEDIA NOSE AT RENEWED PLEA
"Do you think Susannah might revisit this story with another perspective? I think the series gave the public a terrible slant on the issues of RHCs emphasizing mostly one side and making WA State seem draconian by having institutional settings." by Marin Wynne
Today is Wednesday 4/27. Monday, 4/25, inspired by Maryn's words, I included them when I re-sent the letter below, Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-46223456916366780572016-04-25T07:25:00.003-07:002016-04-27T08:48:47.247-07:00PLEA FOR King5 PROGRAM REORIENTATION TO HEAL THE RHC/COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE CONFLICT
Written by Saskia Davis 12/29/15, 3.5 months before the Frame-King5 invitation to post dissenting comments.
Dear Susannah,
In writing to you, I am inviting you into my heart,
hoping you will be able to shift from anti-RHC bias in your reports to being
able to acknowledge that “RHCs have an
important place in the full continuum of care for peopleSaskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-43176720994481276522016-04-24T17:34:00.002-07:002016-04-24T17:34:49.080-07:00"THE TRUE STORY OF RHCS"Response on April 11 by Jeannie Barrett to King5 invitation to post letters from RHC supporters.
Sorry to be so late posting this, Jeannie. I thought I had done it already. Excellent information!
Dear Mr. Walker:Those of us who have severely multi-handicapped sons and daughters have grave concerns with the closing of our Residential Habilitation Centers. Susannah Frame’s Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-66780781443627958442016-04-24T17:06:00.000-07:002016-04-24T17:21:53.811-07:00FAMILIES & GUARDIANS DEFEND RHCS WITH PASSION AND FACTAccusing families of bashing the station, Susannah Frame and King-5 TV in WA finally have kept their promise to post letters from dissenters refuting the station's RHC-bashing series: The Last of the Institutions. They have posted a long list of commenters, each with a separate link to their letter(s) + the ability for readers to comment. In addition to those Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-26044297128303228552016-04-22T10:33:00.000-07:002016-04-22T10:39:20.022-07:00INCHING FORWARD: K-5, FRAME REGARDING VIEWER COMMENTS ARTICLE Having written, yesterday, to Susannah Frame asking for a link to the viewer comments that should accompany the little intro to her promised viewer comment article that was posted @ King5.com, I received this back from her this morning:
"Hi Saskia I wrote what you see there. And I've assembled all of the comments but someone else has to attach the two together so I am hoping someone Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-42288591499530329592016-04-19T10:17:00.003-07:002016-04-19T20:19:54.343-07:00OLMSTEAD SUPREME COURT DECISION
THE CHOICE TO LIVE IN AN RHC OR OUT
Written April 10, 2016 by Bonnie Sullivan in response to King5, Susannah Frame's invitation for a story on viewer comments. Received today: Another salient letter!
Dear Susannah,
Re: “The U.S. Supreme court ruled in 1999 that unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination. Since 2009Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-12614885605026182842016-04-15T09:07:00.001-07:002016-04-15T09:23:18.672-07:0014 GREAT LETTERS TO FRAME & COUNTING
Readers Can Talk To Each Other On This Blog
Of the 14 letters, below, addressed to Susannah Frame, 2 are from me. The other 12 were sent to me in response to my invitation to post them on this blog. King-5/Susannah Frame invited readers comments. This was in response to my having written asking them to restore the readers' "Comments "page on their stories in their Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5492412764979482181.post-32746406203407612642016-04-12T18:18:00.002-07:002016-04-12T18:21:21.433-07:00KING5 "FALSE" INFO "DISTURBING, UPSETTING, OFFENSIVE, HURTFUL"
Response by Sharon Juza to S. Frame invitation
for viewer comment story.
The story that you ran about "Institutions" contained so much false information I found it very disturbing and upsetting. First of all their are NO institutions in our state; they are residential habilitation centers. No matter how many people have stated that fact and tried to educate the reporters at King 5 Saskia Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358551318002605426noreply@blogger.com3