Advocacy Concerns

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/wards, may opt out of class action lawsuits with which they disagree.) Also, I found the documentation they provided in response to my questions to misrepresent the Supreme Court Olmstead Decision. Actually, "Olmstead" does not say that anybody is required to live in a specific place. Instead it affirms the right of an individual to live in the setting that best suits him/her - be it a private home, group home, institution. In so doing, it affirms the role of institutions within a full continuum of care.

I respect the energy and commitment that you all have to your causes. What I don’t understand is how, as strong advocates, (personal and representatives of public agencies) , you can work to deny or diminish services to people with such severe and complex needs within the DD population. I could never envision closing RHCs because I see the necessity for their existence. If you actually went, toured, met and spoke with residents, family members and guardians, you would see that each RHC is a community as well as the community of choice and safety for many people. I believe you would come away recognizing their critical role in our community.

Trying to take this choice away appears to dismiss their residents as not worthy of being safe. I saw this even before our son was in need of the services. When he was eleven, I would not have considered institutional placement for him but I would not have cut that option off for those who needed it. I realize that there is a wide variation of needs and just because one person with DD does not need those services, it does not mean that no person with DD might need them.

As our children age and change, different issues arise. As a parent who has lived through it, I can say that a dual diagnosis changes the whole scenario of needs. Care and supervision for safety becomes extremely complex, demanding and person intensive.

The estimate of the incidence dual diagnosis, (dual diagnosis is developmental disability and a mental illness diagnosis) is between 30-50%. (NADD – An association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs www.thenadd.org). Often in speaking and advocating for people with DD one forgets about this extremely extra complex group of people.

Our son is very active in community events both inside and outside of the RHC. He is a well known participant in the Seattle Parks and Recreation Specialized Program – both the Saturday Activities and Day Camp. He participates in neighborhood celebrations and concerts, attends church every week and many other activities.


I invite you to join me on an RHC tour, to meet him and learn why an RHC is the home of choice for him and others with such complex needs that they can only be managed in an RHC community.

Please, do contact me – I’d love to have a discussion, take people on tours of Fircrest or Frances Haddon Morgan Center, introduce you to my son and talk about how we can come together to truly advocate for ALL people with disabilities.

People may contact me personally at cherylfelak@msn.com

Therapeutic Gardens

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 many aspects of life - there are endless opportunities in the garden to use for education and therapy.

I have wanted to enroll in the Therapeutic Garden certificate program through the UW Continuing Education but do not have the funds or time right now - it's on the horizon of things to do though. I browsed through their site today and came across this video about an upcoming therapeutic garden. This is such a wonderful plan. It is so true that our disabled family members need a secured area to go outside and enjoy nature.

There is a lovely garden on the grounds of Fircrest. I have attached a couple of links to information regarding that garden. We love to go there to visit and walk the garden. We love how the planters are built so that people can garden from wheelchairs or waist height. The water is such a great addition to the garden too.

I know from our small garden how much enjoyment that our son gets from it. He knows where each herb is planted, where to get berries, where his pumpkins, cucumbers and tomatoes grow and loves the various colors of the flowers. We've arranged various sitting areas in the gardens for him from which he can talk to me while I'm out there too.

Gardens are magical!

Links: Definition of Therapeutic Garden: http://pce.uw.edu/uploadedFiles/Offerings/Master/Certificates/Therapeutic_garden.pdf

Articles on Therapeutic Garden at Fircrest: http://larch.be.washington.edu/features/design_build/11505-L1.pdf

http://occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com/Editorial/Content/Editorial.aspx?CC=197378

Short video on planned garden at Washington Soldiers Home: http://pce.uw.edu/basic.aspx?id=4392