Re: Re: Where will they live?

[Guest guest]

Having had a previous client go to Bittersweet I would hardly call it an institution ... maybe an institution of happiness ? An ability to be free and do activities never offered in public schools or the system in general for any aged child. Every child is alike in that they are a 'child' but all are individuals as we all know and where they may be placed is based solely upon that. I would be happy to contact them and will put that on my ' To do " list. That list was looking like Santa Clauses 'good or bad' list, but it's become a bit less crowded lately. This time of year slows for the non proactive crowd... but not for this one.Continue to fight for what you believe in. In Darin's case, he and his wife (who are both list

moderators here), were very well versed and the only reason I came into the picture was obvious signs of abuse in a Classroom setting within a district literally so filled with abuse multiple other cases came forward as a previous post I wrote states. Moving to a very proactive school district was an option for them as they are kind enough and the kind of people that actually take in and adopt many children with disabilities. So many names I lose count. The simple idea of labeling everything with Chloes name was an example of a parent advocate... only in that they followed through and actually did it. If I could name the 'next' district to get it's own personal website listing the number of state complaints, due process filings, and reports of abuse and my opinion of it all not only from ABC News but in writing... it would be the entire KCOS including all districts. They need to be

exposed....and since I'm writing this ... I should be like Darin was with getting his childs name up everywhere. Who would like to help in creating a website to inform the public so the next person that decides to move into that System on a job transfer, etc. will know exactly what they're facing before they get there. It's also nice to be able to distribute the web address to our local, state, and national legislators. The only way to stop infectious spreading of what Kern County, Ca. has going on is to expose it and force change. Email me offlist if you have the ability to create a video... whoever does it can put it all in my name and I have no problem with that at all.. I'm not the 'fall guy'.. I don't want any retaliation and I have no problem fielding any of the questions that come from sites like http://www.pusdincrisis.com .. that's an

example of what KCOS deserves. E. , Sr. Nationwide Spec. Ed. Advocate/AdvisorThe Office of Special Education Advocacy, Inc. " O.S.E.A. "HM/OFFICE: OR: CELL(808)391-2012Founder, The Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children, est.1996**BAN Illegal Restraint, Seclusion, and Arrest of Dev. Disabled** JOIN US

AT: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ParentsUnitedforSpecialEd/This electronic mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential, and/or exempt from disclosure under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, (18 U.S.C. §§

2510-2521.)To: sList Sent: Fri, November 27, 2009 7:26:00 AMSubject: Re: Where will they live?

, I had to reply to this post, because the FDDC in Florida is doing all it can to prevent choice in living options for people on the autism spectrum. The are fighting changes in the 10 percent density and 1000 foot law/rule. Currently if our children were to choose to live in a supportive community, they will lose any and all APD benefits that they may be receiving. This is because of they violate the rule/law. They claim that the farms like Lambs Farm and Bittersweet Farm are "institutions" that segregate. They are so very wrong, and one wonders if they have every visited either or spoken to the residents. I have, and the residents are happy and they are not restricted to farm activities. They are free to have activities off site. It would be great if people would contact the FDDC and express a desire to choose the living arrangements for their Autism Spectrum family member or person they care for.

Regards,

Glenda

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> I couldn't have said it any better. There need to be options for all parts

> of the spectrum, and those who would limit those options are severely

> misguided.

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> From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList@ yahoogroups. com] On

> Behalf Of JLACP@...

> Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 11:40 PM

> To: deniseslist@ yahoogroups. com

> Cc: Debrad@...; SylviaS@...;

> Jim_DeBeaugrine@ ...; Kyllonep@...

> Subject: Where will they live?

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> There is a tidal wave of adults with developmental disabilities coming at

> us. Many of them are your children, soon-to-be adults. Where will they

> live when they can no longer live with you or when they choose to no

> longer live with you?

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> Needed: An entire range of safe, supported living environments in the State

> of Florida.

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> Not needed: The continued obstruction by those who oppose the development

> of a diverse range of living options and the rights of people with

> developmental disabilities to choose where they want to live and with whom.

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> While you or I might not choose Bittersweet Farms or Lambs Farm or similar

> communities, we should respect the wishes of those who would make that

> choice and support them in lobbying for the elimination of discriminatory

> statutes in Florida law that attempt to define in arbitrary ways where

> people with Developmental Disabilities may or may not live. Parent-driven

> and private initiatives need to be supported. When the time comes, won't

> you want choices? For some of us, that time has come.

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> The number of adults with autism is growing

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> Tuesday, November 24, 2009

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> Adults with autism

> <http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/images/wtvg/cms_exf_2007/news/local/7135452_600x

> 338.jpg>

> <http://del.icio. us/post?url= http%3A%2F% 2Fabclocal. go.com%2Fwtvg% 2Fstory%3Fs

> ection%3Dnews% 2Flocal%26id% 3D7135453 & title=The+ number+of+ adults+with+ autism+

> is+growing>

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> The numbers are staggering. One in every 150 babies in the U.S. is now born

> with autism. The rate for boys is even higher. But what happens to those

> children when they grow up?

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> Beth Meyer is a hard worker. Beth has always been good with her hands. But

> her autism affects her ability to interact with people.

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> Vicki Obee-Hilty is executive director of Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse

> where the focus is on adults with autism.

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> "It is not an institution. It's not where you've just taken a group of

> people and isolated them. This is a viable farm."

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> A farm Beth and 29 other adults call home. Beth has an apartment there and a

> paying job.

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> Phil Bartus goes for the day program. He has his own apartment off-site,

> with some help. Phil makes furniture in the woodshop and is also a ham radio

> operator.

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> Phil and Beth are both highly functioning. Yet many autistic adults are

> unable to work. They live with family or in group homes, and their numbers

> are growing. In the twenty-six years since Bittersweet opened, autism

> diagnoses have soared nearly 1,000 percent.

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> Vicki says, "These kids are coming through the system. You're seeing a

> bubble in the numbers now. Parents now have teenagers and they're saying

> 'what is the next step'?"

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> http://abclocal. go.com/wtvg/ story?section= news/local

> <http://abclocal. go.com/wtvg/ story?section= news/local & id=7135453>

> & id=7135453

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