Deby Tisdale Letter to the Editor

Date: Wed Jul 26, 2000 6:12am

Subject: 7/26/00 Tisdale/SB NewsPress Editorial

Community care not best for all

The recent guest commentary in the Sunday Voices section by Terry Boisot has come to the attention of our parent group, and we members are all appalled.

Since 1970, our parent group represented the mentally retarded clients at Camarillo State Hospital and Developmental Center. Our association remains intact, even after Camarillo closed in 1997. We are now based at Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, where most of the nearly 200 Camarillo clients with developmental disabilities were sent.

Prior to that transfer, the parents of those clients made an exhaustive effort to find community placements for their children. Only a few were successful, but you may be interested to know, nevertheless, remain supportive members of our parent association.

The reasons for most not choosing community placement were many, but mainly had to do with the lack of a mobilized care system able to respond rapidly and appropriately to the many crisis situations among the type of clients residing in developmental centers.

The parents understandably worried about what would happen to their children in community care if one had a major seizure or other life-threatening medical crisis, a not-infrequent situation with that population. In talking to community-care staff, our parents found them woefully inadequately trained to deal with this, and even if they could, the support of urgent life-preserving help is often far away.

We support improvements in community care and always have, but our experience tells us there are inherent limits to that environment. It isn't less restrictive nor does it enhance freedom if a client is moved from surroundings where he or she can walk around within a safe campus-like setting; go unescorted to church, school and work; and have expert care immediately at hand. In the typical out-of-home community setting, the clients are locked in a residence unless special transportation or escort is available to take them out.

Community care is fine for many, but Boisot should realize it is not safe and healthful for all.

Deby Tisdale

Canoga Park