Disability Activism & Advocacy

I’m not sure if you are aware of “The Groton 43”, Rolland vs Patrick class action suit. The class action suit involves the movement of 43 severely medically compromised and profoundly retarded adults from Seven Hills Pediatric Nursing Home into group homes. Seven Hills Pediatric Center is a skilled nursing home that is licensed by the state of Massachusetts to provide 24/7 care to medically fragile individuals who suffer from severe cognitive impairment and are considered to be of mental age below 12 months. My daughter has been a resident of Seven Hills Pediatric Nursing Facility in Groton for 8 years and has and is currently receiving the most ideal and phenomenal care by a team of extremely dedicated individuals. This Nursing facility ranks in the top 4% nationally!

 

As a result of a class-action lawsuit (Rolland v. Patrick), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Mental Retardation plan to move these young individuals to group homes, a plan that occurred WITHOUT prior knowledge or approval of their parents and/or legal guardians. The original intent of the Rolland suit was to allow mentally retarded adults the freedom to choose a group home placement over a nursing home. Surely, the ideal is for people with disabilities to reside with their families and/or within the community. However, this is not a “one size fits all” situation. Our children are thriving in their home and community – at Seven Hills. Many of the parents fear that their child cannot possibly receive what they need in a group home and they fear for their child’s health and well being. Several parents have expressed that this could very well mean a “death sentence” to their medically fragile child. These are individuals that will never be able to talk, walk, dress or bathroom themselves. A “skill” for our children would be for them to be able to swallow food by mouth or make eye contact.

 

One needs to trust that families who love and care for their children are acting in their best interest and should play a primary role in the decision-making process when it comes to a change in the setting in which their children reside. We strongly oppose Governor Patrick moving an “infant” into a group home. I hope you will join us in support of our children and in support of the rights of their parents to decide what is best for their child’s well being.

 

We parents have set up a website to bring attention to our desperate plea, please take a look at this for more information: www.avertrollandtragedy.org/index.htm

While you're there PLEASE sign our petition to keep our precious children safe, well cared for and most of all happy!

 

THANK YOU!!!!!!

 Signed your petition, hope this stays at the top of threads until you reach your goal.

Good Luck,

Clark

Back in the old days (early 80’s), when fresh out of college, I was working as an adapted PE teacher at the Fernald State School. Most of my clients were low functioning MR folks.  Many were being “mainstreamed” into community living situations.  For many it worked out well, although much more expensive, but for some it was nothing but a disaster. It was with the best of intentions to have these state owned and operated facilities closed down, but for those lower function folks, it was a nightmare. Some ended up at nursing homes where they were nothing but “warehoused” until their final days. Granted some did land at good facilities. I don’t know Seven Hills, but it sounds as if it’s one of the good ones. I’m sure part of the reasoning of moving these folks from Seven Hills is expense.  Group homes are substantially much more cost effective then nursing home facilities. Although, I don’t know that kind of care they will have, but I’m sure that if these people are low functioning, it will be 24/7 care.   

 

 

Have these families been given the option to pick up the tab for continuing residency at Seven Hills?   

I signed this seemingly important petition.  However, I did not appreciate being pulled onto a website that scrolled me through multiple other petition options regarding every other kind of human and animal right.  Perhaps your own website could become more user friendly.   Good luck. bonnie

i signed also !    good luck             rainey xo 

 I spent 18 years of my life teaching students who functioned at the level your children do.  I can very much appreciate your desire for a safe, happy environment for them.  Good luck in your efforts.  In my own state, we have lost "respite" beds for those parents who are still keeping their child at home.  Another, very important need.  Sometimes, these provisions are gone before we know enough to stop it.  

I do have to agree with Bonnie, regarding navigation through your site.  You might reach your goal more easily if it were more efficient. 

 

Question:  Is it necessary for the petition signers to be registered voters in your state?  Just wondering, I would hate for your petition to lose the desired effect, by having non-qualified, though good intentioned signers.

Valerie

squabwithfibro:

Question:  Is it necessary for the petition signers to be registered voters in your state?  Just wondering, I would hate for your petition to lose the desired effect, by having non-qualified, though good intentioned signers.

 

As a Massachusetts resident, I believe that you need to at least be a Massachusetts resident for your signature on a petition to be counted. BTW, I didn’t sign it.  I didn’t want to register and I’d like more information before putting my name to it. 

 

 

squabwithfibro:

 In my own state, we have lost "respite" beds for those parents who are still keeping their child at home. 

 

What’s a “respite” bed? 

Teporary beds in a facility qualified to provide care for medically fragile and disabled children with special health care needs. Respite care is designed to assist and support families who are providing care at home.