Re: SB1124/HR 371

[Guest guest]

NilaMy son needs support as well. But I'm not wanting to hide him in a closet because he isn't totally cured from his Autism. I work at a rehab facility for geriactrics. And I have lived in hospitals by my son's side for all his 6 surgeries. My worst memory from that was when no one cared for an addicted baby which kept crying and crying. No one would comfort her. And how I meet so many single elderly individuals alone with no family. They had been brought from hospital to my rehab center with no one to help them bring in their personal belongings. So they can have a sense of self worth after a horrific tragedy like a stroke, fall or a car wreck. This world is cruel. That's reality but I'm not teaching my son something he can learn in fear someone will take advantage of him. We need to teach them self respect, and dignity. And sexual abuse is to do with power. So its not the facility or who runs it. But how its run. What it provides for our children which will be adults if we like it or not. aka enzo's momSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Nila Benito Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:27:47 -0400To: <deniseslist >Subject: SB1124/HR 371 Dear Fellow Families & Advocates, I pray that we can agree to disagree on this and move forward. I have 2 teenage sons that are severe on the autism spectrum who need constant total support. Neither of them have reliable communication skills. They are fully included and receive the support they need in the form of formal(paid) and informal(unpaid) supports at home, school, and in the community. I share this because I want you to know that my boys are those who have intense support needs.On this HB 371 and SB1124, I respect the perspective and wishes of those who are for this, but I do not agree that the government should fund another choice where the data says our children are more likely to be abused. An important fact that cannot be ignored is something that is stated in the ADAPT of Florida petition: "Approximately 67 percent of perpetrators who abused individuals with severe cognitive disabilities accessed them through their work in disability services in segregated environments. (Sobsey, D. and T. Doe. 1991. “Patterns of sexual abuse and assault.” Journal of Sexuality and Disability, 9(3): 243259.)" I have done much reading on housing and community living for people with dd and have found the work of Jay Klein to be the most helpful and grounded in research and facts. His focus has been to offer alternatives to approaches that segregate, congregate, and/or control people with disabilities.The Intiative on Inclusive Communities assists communities to become more inclusive by combining cross-disciplinary, education, research, and best practices for people with disabilities so that they experience full economic, political, social, cultural, community, and educational inclusion. http://chance.unh.edu/ I have spoken with him as well and he is a wealth of knowledge on all community living options. With respect for all, Nila Quick access to Windows Live and your favorite MSN content with Internet Explorer 8.