Fwd: Olmstead Champion Meets the President - Forwarded by the Georgia Microboards Association, Inc.

[Guest guest]

Teri Steinberg

Chicago Regional Organizer

Illinois Association of Microboards & atives, Inc.

Www.iambc.org

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: " Commito " <scommito@...>

> Date: June 22, 2011 8:52:47 PM CDT

> <scommito@...>

> Subject: Olmstead Champion Meets the President - Forwarded by the Georgia

Microboards Association, Inc.

> Reply- " Commito " <scommito@...>

>

> Forwarded by the Georgia Microboards Association,

Inc....http://www.gamicroboards.org/

>

> Ref:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/22/olmstead-champion-meets-president

>

> Olmstead Champion Meets the President

>

> The memories of living in institutional settings since the age of 13 will

always be with Lois Curtis even though her life today is beyond what she ever

could have imagined when she made the first of many brave phone calls to my

office at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society saying, “I want to get out!†The

journey (and struggle) from that day includes an historic Supreme Court

decision, a home of her own and a successful career as an artist. And now, a

meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office as we observe the 12th

anniversary of the Olmstead decision.

>

> The Olmstead story began long before the Supreme Court decision. Lois and

another plaintiff, Elaine (who passed away in 2004), were in a state

psychiatric hospital in Georgia. They filed suit in 1995 seeking disability

services in the community. On the fateful day that brought us to Washington

D.C., those of us who had worked on the case for five years were perhaps more

amazed than Lois that we were climbing the steps of the United States Supreme

Court, moving through hundreds of persons with signs, many in wheelchairs, who

had spent most of the previous night in a disability civil rights vigil. The

lawyers were focused on the frightening possibility that the Court would reverse

the successful decisions of the lower courts and the exciting possibility that

it wouldn't. Lois, however, tends to take things in stride and understands the

joy of the moment. Since she was not in a state hospital but enjoying a trip to

D.C. with her friends and supporters, her focus was on that day of freedom and

adventure. In fact, she insisted on a tour of the White House that day, asking

if there was a chance she might see the President. Lois and Elaine, as well as

the intense commitment of the disability community around the country, were

truly our inspiration. And, as we all now know, the U.S. Supreme Court

eventually held that the unjustified institutional isolation of people with

disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with

Disabilities Act, thus taking a giant step forward for the millions of people

with disabilities across the country.

>

> Lois’ story did not end after that landmark Supreme Court decision. In fact,

that decision launched a new journey. After living in staffed residential homes

since her release from the institution, Lois now rents a beautiful home in the

Stone Mountain area of Georgia. She chose a fellow artist and friend to be her

roommate. In 2010 a non-profit microboard was created to help foster Lois'

continuing independence. A microboard is a group of friends set up to assist

with the services and supports for one individual. In her case, Lois' microboard

was critical to helping her gain access to a Medicaid waiver program for

self-directed services.

>

> Lois’ career as an artist has taken off. Initial support from a U.S.

Department of Labor customized employment grant in 2004 drew advocates to her

side that resulted in several one-woman exhibits and recognition within the arts

community for her uninhibited artistic expression. One painting was recently

auctioned for $1,400! But Lois doesn’t care about that. When I asked her what

her artwork means to her, she responded, “My art been around a long time. I

came along when my art came along. Drawing pretty pictures is a way to meet God

in the world like it is.â€

>

> Lois is once again taking the lead and helping those who choose to integrate

into the community. She wants to show parents and family members that with the

right supports and services, life in the community is not only possible but can

also be very rewarding. The Obama Administration is helping to make this

possible by strongly supporting the full implementation of the Olmstead

decision, helping ensure the full integration of people with disabilities into

the work, recreational, and social life of our society.

>

> On June 20, 2011, 12 years after her visit to the Supreme Court, Lois has not

only seen the President but presented him with a gift of one of her original

paintings in the Oval Office, in the style of a visiting dignitary. The " Girl in

Orange Dress " is one in a series of three pastel self portraits Lois created

since she has no photographs to mark her childhood.

>

> Sue son is an attorney with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society Mental Health

and Disability Rights Unit. She was the lead attorney in Olmstead v. L.C.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Teri,

Loved the comment about Lois being oblivious to the drama/tensions around her

and just enjoying the adventure of going to Washington, D.C. for her Supreme

Court case!

Then got a big lump in my throat at the story of her giving one of her paintings

to the President -

The " Girl in Orange Dress " is one in a series of three pastel self portraits

Lois created since she has no photographs to mark her childhood –

brings home the isolation and loss so many of these individuals have experienced

over the course of their lifetimes. So sad!!!

I was glad to read she’s in a better place now. Very inspiring. Thanks for

sharing it.

Laurie

From: Teri Steinberg

Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 9:22 PM

ILAssnMicroboardsandatives ;

ipaddunite ; ws ; autismcc

Subject: Fwd: Olmstead Champion Meets the President - Forwarded by

the Georgia Microboards Association, Inc.

Teri Steinberg

Chicago Regional Organizer

Illinois Association of Microboards & atives, Inc.

Www.iambc.org

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: " Commito " <mailto:scommito%40mindspring.com>

> Date: June 22, 2011 8:52:47 PM CDT

> <mailto:scommito%40mindspring.com>

> Subject: Olmstead Champion Meets the President - Forwarded by the Georgia

Microboards Association, Inc.

> Reply- " Commito " <mailto:scommito%40mindspring.com>

>

> Forwarded by the Georgia Microboards Association,

Inc....http://www.gamicroboards.org/

>

> Ref:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/22/olmstead-champion-meets-president

>

> Olmstead Champion Meets the President

>

> The memories of living in institutional settings since the age of 13 will

always be with Lois Curtis even though her life today is beyond what she ever

could have imagined when she made the first of many brave phone calls to my

office at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society saying, “I want to get out!†The

journey (and struggle) from that day includes an historic Supreme Court

decision, a home of her own and a successful career as an artist. And now, a

meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office as we observe the 12th

anniversary of the Olmstead decision.

>

> The Olmstead story began long before the Supreme Court decision. Lois and

another plaintiff, Elaine (who passed away in 2004), were in a state

psychiatric hospital in Georgia. They filed suit in 1995 seeking disability

services in the community. On the fateful day that brought us to Washington

D.C., those of us who had worked on the case for five years were perhaps more

amazed than Lois that we were climbing the steps of the United States Supreme

Court, moving through hundreds of persons with signs, many in wheelchairs, who

had spent most of the previous night in a disability civil rights vigil. The

lawyers were focused on the frightening possibility that the Court would reverse

the successful decisions of the lower courts and the exciting possibility that

it wouldn't. Lois, however, tends to take things in stride and understands the

joy of the moment. Since she was not in a state hospital but enjoying a trip to

D.C. with her friends and supporters, her focus was on that day of freedom and

adventure. In fact, she insisted on a tour of the White House that day, asking

if there was a chance she might see the President. Lois and Elaine, as well as

the intense commitment of the disability community around the country, were

truly our inspiration. And, as we all now know, the U.S. Supreme Court

eventually held that the unjustified institutional isolation of people with

disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with

Disabilities Act, thus taking a giant step forward for the millions of people

with disabilities across the country.

>

> Lois’ story did not end after that landmark Supreme Court decision. In fact,

that decision launched a new journey. After living in staffed residential homes

since her release from the institution, Lois now rents a beautiful home in the

Stone Mountain area of Georgia. She chose a fellow artist and friend to be her

roommate. In 2010 a non-profit microboard was created to help foster Lois'

continuing independence. A microboard is a group of friends set up to assist

with the services and supports for one individual. In her case, Lois' microboard

was critical to helping her gain access to a Medicaid waiver program for

self-directed services.

>

> Lois’ career as an artist has taken off. Initial support from a U.S.

Department of Labor customized employment grant in 2004 drew advocates to her

side that resulted in several one-woman exhibits and recognition within the arts

community for her uninhibited artistic expression. One painting was recently

auctioned for $1,400! But Lois doesn’t care about that. When I asked her what

her artwork means to her, she responded, “My art been around a long time. I

came along when my art came along. Drawing pretty pictures is a way to meet God

in the world like it is.â€

>

> Lois is once again taking the lead and helping those who choose to integrate

into the community. She wants to show parents and family members that with the

right supports and services, life in the community is not only possible but can

also be very rewarding. The Obama Administration is helping to make this

possible by strongly supporting the full implementation of the Olmstead

decision, helping ensure the full integration of people with disabilities into

the work, recreational, and social life of our society.

>

> On June 20, 2011, 12 years after her visit to the Supreme Court, Lois has not

only seen the President but presented him with a gift of one of her original

paintings in the Oval Office, in the style of a visiting dignitary. The " Girl in

Orange Dress " is one in a series of three pastel self portraits Lois created

since she has no photographs to mark her childhood.

>

> Sue son is an attorney with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society Mental Health

and Disability Rights Unit. She was the lead attorney in Olmstead v. L.C.

>

>

[Guest guest]

thanks for sharing the inspiring story.

Hema

>

>

>

> Teri Steinberg

> Chicago Regional Organizer

> Illinois Association of Microboards & atives, Inc.

> Www.iambc.org

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

> Begin forwarded message:

>

> > From: " Commito " <scommito@...>

> > Date: June 22, 2011 8:52:47 PM CDT

> > <scommito@...>

> > Subject: Olmstead Champion Meets the President - Forwarded by the Georgia

Microboards Association, Inc.

> > Reply- " Commito " <scommito@...>

> >

>

> > Forwarded by the Georgia Microboards Association,

Inc....http://www.gamicroboards.org/

> >

> > Ref:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/22/olmstead-champion-meets-president

> >

> > Olmstead Champion Meets the President

> >

> > The memories of living in institutional settings since the age of 13 will

always be with Lois Curtis even though her life today is beyond what she ever

could have imagined when she made the first of many brave phone calls to my

office at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society saying, “I want to get out!†The

journey (and struggle) from that day includes an historic Supreme Court

decision, a home of her own and a successful career as an artist. And now, a

meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office as we observe the 12th

anniversary of the Olmstead decision.

> >

> > The Olmstead story began long before the Supreme Court decision. Lois and

another plaintiff, Elaine (who passed away in 2004), were in a state

psychiatric hospital in Georgia. They filed suit in 1995 seeking disability

services in the community. On the fateful day that brought us to Washington

D.C., those of us who had worked on the case for five years were perhaps more

amazed than Lois that we were climbing the steps of the United States Supreme

Court, moving through hundreds of persons with signs, many in wheelchairs, who

had spent most of the previous night in a disability civil rights vigil. The

lawyers were focused on the frightening possibility that the Court would reverse

the successful decisions of the lower courts and the exciting possibility that

it wouldn't. Lois, however, tends to take things in stride and understands the

joy of the moment. Since she was not in a state hospital but enjoying a trip to

D.C. with her friends and supporters, her focus was on that day of freedom and

adventure. In fact, she insisted on a tour of the White House that day, asking

if there was a chance she might see the President. Lois and Elaine, as well as

the intense commitment of the disability community around the country, were

truly our inspiration. And, as we all now know, the U.S. Supreme Court

eventually held that the unjustified institutional isolation of people with

disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with

Disabilities Act, thus taking a giant step forward for the millions of people

with disabilities across the country.

> >

> > Lois’ story did not end after that landmark Supreme Court decision. In

fact, that decision launched a new journey. After living in staffed residential

homes since her release from the institution, Lois now rents a beautiful home in

the Stone Mountain area of Georgia. She chose a fellow artist and friend to be

her roommate. In 2010 a non-profit microboard was created to help foster Lois'

continuing independence. A microboard is a group of friends set up to assist

with the services and supports for one individual. In her case, Lois' microboard

was critical to helping her gain access to a Medicaid waiver program for

self-directed services.

> >

> > Lois’ career as an artist has taken off. Initial support from a U.S.

Department of Labor customized employment grant in 2004 drew advocates to her

side that resulted in several one-woman exhibits and recognition within the arts

community for her uninhibited artistic expression. One painting was recently

auctioned for $1,400! But Lois doesn’t care about that. When I asked her what

her artwork means to her, she responded, “My art been around a long time. I

came along when my art came along. Drawing pretty pictures is a way to meet God

in the world like it is.â€

> >

> > Lois is once again taking the lead and helping those who choose to integrate

into the community. She wants to show parents and family members that with the

right supports and services, life in the community is not only possible but can

also be very rewarding. The Obama Administration is helping to make this

possible by strongly supporting the full implementation of the Olmstead

decision, helping ensure the full integration of people with disabilities into

the work, recreational, and social life of our society.

> >

> > On June 20, 2011, 12 years after her visit to the Supreme Court, Lois has

not only seen the President but presented him with a gift of one of her original

paintings in the Oval Office, in the style of a visiting dignitary. The " Girl in

Orange Dress " is one in a series of three pastel self portraits Lois created

since she has no photographs to mark her childhood.

> >

> > Sue son is an attorney with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society Mental Health

and Disability Rights Unit. She was the lead attorney in Olmstead v. L.C.

> >

> >

>

>

>