Nixon signs bill relating to Hab Center

It is illegal to place people with devlopmental disabilities in instatututions due to the U.S. Supreme Court's OLMSTEAD decision rendered in 1999.

According to the majoraty opinion, doing so is a violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Proof and overview of the OLMSTEAD case can be found on the web/internet. Type the following into the search space: Olmstead + Supreme Court. You will find numerous sites where you can reseach this for yourself.

Additionally, a well known civil rights attorney, Steve Gold, has an excellent web site where information regarding this and many other subjects can be found. www.stevegold.ada.com

All one must do is request and his bulletins will be sent to you free, by way of email.

Does that include group homes?

Mr. Gaunt, the only corporate pirates are Nurseing Homes and Hsbilitation Centers, all of who are attempting to take away the lives of of individiuals with developmental disabilities. I spent time as a Habilitation Specilaist before being sickened by the Hitlarian ways in which people are treated and, was gone in 5 months, by choice.

Don't check with the gaurdian or parent of this peson. They are alduts with feelings. Speak with them. It can easily by done as this respondent doesit on a dailiy basis. And, by the way, if these outdated methods of allowing people to participate in the same community as you there will be law suits.

A U.S. Florida Court , ruled that Florida must provide a lady with a developmental disability servcies,. in order that she live in her comunniy.

Prior to this, in May, The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Arkansas based on OLMSTEAD. Missouri is soon to follow.

The only allegiance is to all persons with a developmental disability, and I am one- Epilepsy. My neice has a severe intelecual disability yet lives in a group home in Columbia. I am a member of PEOPLE FIRST, an organization made up of people with developmental disabilities many of whom have an intelecual disability, Cerebral Palsy, a Mental condtion/disease and, others.

I spent a breif part of my life 5.5 months sa a habilitation specialist in a HAB Center. The reason for may leaving was the NAZI like treatment of these individuals becuase of assumptions that they are unable to talk for themselves.

Additionally, I have been a disability advocate for 27 years, have graduate education in Rehabilitation Counseling.

As an ordained minister my suggestion to anyone who is christian, is to open your bible and read MATHEW 25:31-46, the last parrable Jesus told his deciples before his death. Once you have, please inform us as to which side you stand and your reason.

Amen....very well stated titanicsdoom

"And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners" Matthew 6:5-6

"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them" Matthew 6:1-4

Even the lord says the people on the left are no good. :) Or maybe he just doesn't like left handed people. Course I don't put much into a childrens fairy tale.

Please accept my applologies for not tranlating the Bilbe as yoy do. My only goal is, and will ever more be, to see that persons with a developmental disability be given an EQUAL chance in this society. That they be allowed to go out among us all and participate in life fully.

Additionally, I will leave the judegeing to the courts and to God- and, remove any logs in my eye in order that I find the specks more easily thus allowing to move on and consel, serve as a disability advocate as well as learn.

I wish all mebers of your community a happy and prosporeous life together.

Mr. Lee I do have a question of you. And let me say it is a question of your point of view. Would you also close the nursing homes and Alzheimer units? I am curious. These people are also capable of living in the general public but because of illness their loved ones have found it in their best interest to have other, more able adults, help care for them in an group facility. Many of the clients of the hab center are older adults with their only family being elderly parents, do you feel these parents should take their children back into their own homes? These are questions not intended to belittle you but I would like to know your thoughts.

I know that i would not want a group home in my neigborhood, how abbout having one in MR.Lees neighborhood right beside his house? I am sure that ir would be perfectly fine with all his neighbors. As for the god speak please use a constructive argument and stop trying to beat people up with the bible.

I have a group home in my neighborhood and there has never been a problem.

MORE care is not the issue, instead the focus is on desired care or, "type of care." In other words, allowing people to be a part of society or not allowing that.

If allowed to live in and among the rest of society, as equal members, their contribution will be felt. Some in part time jobs when possible and contributing to the economy. This of course includes sales tax.

They move from DIRECTED CARE to CONSUMER DIRECTED CARE.

Mr. Lee do you have any response to my previously ask questions?

The question has already been answered, however, lets approach it in the only way you seem to understand. 'MONEY IS WHAT MATTERS NOT PEOPLE.'

Those newly built buildings were payed for by the state of MO and the individuals who will be providing assistance for these individuals are employed by the state. However, Independent Living Centers in MO have a program known as "Consumer Directed Services." The cost is much less than paying people through the MO Dept. of Mental Health. Additionally, building group homes in the comunity is usually much less expensive.

Are these individuals given the opportunity to live freely in the community or are the locked in their homes and only allowed out when the proprieters decide to let them out?

Paid by who, the state thus forcing them into a deeper debt.

Now, would you answer my previous question. Are these residents locked up or are they free to live active lives in the community accompanied by Personal Care Attendants.

Lets give credit to mr lee

at least he has the guts to sign his name

he is not a coward who hides behind anonymity

you cant find in the phone book your critics pseudonyms but each time I have enlightened this board as to who at least two of these cowards are, they squeal like pigs to the web master and my posts are removed. One of the most obnoxious posters advertises his business on the Daily Mail Web page daily...how quick they (daily mail) move when one of their sponsors gets his feelings hurt.

By the way, his claim about being an advocate for 27 years has him starting his professional advocacy when he was a freshman in high school.

how gifted

Your point Jim boy? I'm sorry but it was lost on me. Course I didn't go to the great Nevada school system. I may not always agree with what some say on here but I would never challenge there right under the Constitution of the United States to say it.

Mr. Lee, the clients of the hab center are out in the public. They go to the movies, they go to Wal Mart, they go to the parks, that's about all there is to do in Nevada. So to answer your question yes, they ones that are able, are out in the community on a regular basis. Why didn't you know this if you know the situation here so well?

My son lives at the Hab Center & has for several years. He lives there at his request & moves freely in the community at his own discretion. He swims at the Y & Community pool, shops at Walmart, goes to the movies. He never misses a Lions Club Breakfast. My point is this; he is not locked away from view. He lives an active life to the best of his ability. BUT; when he has his bad times & is unaable to deal with the stress of living with Autism and he becomes a danger to himself & others; his staff is there to safely intervene! He is 6'5" & weighs over 240 lbs, at times it takes as many a 7 staff & a RN with medication to SAFELY assist him. He is living his life to his fullest potential. I know because we have tried all the other options & they don't work. So shut up your Bible thumping & political spewing & let the families who love their loved ones, along with the professional doctors & staff & nurses figure out the best lifestyle for their families. Because that is what we care about ; our loved ones. Not what is the budget or politically correct. If you do not walk in our shoes, you don't have a clue.

Mr.Lee: Anything? It's really hard to argue with that isn't it. Well done katy!!

Placeing Altzhimers patients in a Nurseing Home is neseccary once they enter the third stage of the disease. My father died of Altzhiemers 15 years ago.

My Time line- Graduated High School at age 19- then MU undergraduate B.Ed. at age 24- next seminary age 27- stayed in louisville for eight years working for the state & federal government and not for profit organizations for people with a disability. Additiuonally, after 1976 I became president of the Epilepsy Foundation of America- Loisville chapter and served on the state board of directors. I am nearly 59 years old. do the math. At age 29 I was begining my first year of disability advocacy in the KY legislature. Then at age 33 I moved back to MO where I served as the legislative liason for nthe Columbia Center for Independnet Living, (now Services for Independent Living). In 1999, I worked at the St. Charles Habilitation Center- (previously discused), and moved to Jefferson City in 2000.

During my time in in Columbian and Jefferson City I have been actively involved in the legislative process.

Finaly, living in the community can be done with the same builders building the Group Home as the ones constructing the buildings on the Nevada grounds. In addition, As for your son, I counsel a man who has Autisim, however it sounds as though it is much less serious than your sons. In

home nursing care is available through some centers and unless your son is over the age of 26 he may be eligible for full coverage under the new health care law in September of this year. If he is over that age send another comment and another option may be available. I'm speaking of professionals, many of whom are male and would have the strength to subdue him.