Having vetoed the medical marijuana bill due to its conflict with federal statute, Gov. Gregoire should also veto sections in Senate Bill 5459 that conflict with federal ADA/Olmstead civil rights of people with disabilities.
Admitting our dear 14-year-old son to a residential habilitation center saved both his life and mine, literally. While he lived at home, crisis ruled our family. Since moving to an RHC he is both happy and medically stable, requiring none of his previous serial emergency-room visits and hospitalizations. We are immensely thankful to the RHC teams for maintaining his health, safety and happiness. He calls Fircrest his home and he means it!
For people of all ages with disabilities, ADA/Olmstead protects choice of “institution” or “community.” SB 5459 attempts to steal the clients’ choices by:
1) Substituting DSHS secretary authority to move them from their homes (an RHC) regardless of their choices to remain.
2) Requiring discharge plans despite their desire to make an RHC home.
3) Depriving youth of the choice of long-term RHC residence.
Choices to receive comprehensive care available in their RHC communities, living among their housemate families with people who understand and love them, to be admitted to an RHC for crisis stabilization and choose to remain are federally protected rights.
Person-centered planning includes the federally protected choice to make an RHC their home and community.
Cheryl Felak, RN, BSN
Seattle
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