Letters

Fircrest

Fairley’s thinking

‘out of the box’

We are parents of a 29 year-old son who is developmentally delayed. He moved out of our home two years ago into a community placement. He shares a three- bedroom home with two other adults with similar disabilities. The home is owned by Parkview Foundation. The program is operated by Greater Residential Options, an agency of Volunteers of America. As our son has utilized the clinical services of Fircrest School we would like to add our perspective to the current debate regarding its future.

First of all, we commend Senator Darlene Fairley’s for thinking “out of the box” regarding the future of Fircrest School. She has been a strong advocate in supporting community living resources for the developmentally disabled. Although we were given a choice to place our son in Fircrest, we opted for a community placement. We wanted our son to have the community connections and a normal home like setting he had throughout the 27 years he lived with us in Shoreline. He has this where he lives. This would not have happened if it were not for Senator Fairley’s strong legislative efforts to support such programs.

Secondly, we have appreciated the excellent medical, dental and language communication services Fircrest staff has provided for our son. Such services are very difficult to find in the community for adults with developmental disabilities. The language communication staff at Fircrest provides consultation to our son’s home. Also, as our son can become highly agitated when seen for medical attention, he needs to be sedated for routine dental exams and for blood draws. We are very fortunate that the specialized staff at the Fircrest Medical/Dental Clinic provides this service for our son.

In the discussion on closing/downsizing Fircrest it is hoped that the excellent professional services provided by Fircrest staff will remain. Their expertise and years of experience is of tremendous value to community based programs.

JOHN AND HARRIET TIBBITS

Shoreline

War activism

Suburbanites stand up against war

I just wanted to commend the Shoreline Enterprise for it’s coverage this (past) week of the Peace Action carried out by Shoreline S.N.O.W. It’s inspiring to know that there are people here in the suburbs willing to get up and DO SOMETHING about opposing the ridiculous impending war in Iraq. Our country has to stand for something other than military action everywhere there are oil interests.

It’s great to know that there are folks willing to stand up and be counted and sustain the effort not only in Seattle but through out the area. Keep it up citizens!!!

JANET WAY

Shoreline

Rallies show grass-roots democracy

I would like to thank the Enterprise for their coverage of the anti-war activists and activities in our area (Jan. 10). We are a growing group of citizens who do not want to see a war in Iraq. This is grass roots democracy at its best ,where friends and neighbors can discuss and debate the issues surrounding our country’s path to war. We would like people to know that there are options to war worth standing up for and it is not unpatriotic to support these options. We invite you to join us if you share our concerns.

JANEEN COOK

Shoreline

We must engage in dialogue on issue

I applaud Pamela Brice and the Enterprise for reporting on the local anti-war activities of the SNOW Coalition (Jan. 10). There are many of us who feel that the current plan to invade Iraq is unjustified. It is important for we as a community of responsible citizens to engage in dialogue and to thoughtfully consider our options. There is too much at stake to leave this issue of war to blind faith or party loyalty.

SIDNEY KUBOI

Shoreline

Kwanzaa

Africa-based holiday worthy of recognition

Mr. Schultz (letters, Jan. 10) is worried about having to celebrate, or at least understand, the “made up” holiday Kwanzaa. He wonders if there is any “truth” in it. Exactly how much “truth” is there in any holiday we celebrate? Holidays by nature consist of folklore, tradition, a pinch of history, and a hefty chunk of commercialism. Kwanzaa reinforces universally held principles while lacking the baggage of more established holidays.

Mr. Schultz questions if the principles of unity, self-determination, et al have ever existed in sub-saharan Africa. I submit that his question reflects smug provincialism, if not outright racism. Any people on this planet adhere to that list of principles. Only isolated and virulent sub-groups, Al Qaeda and the Klan for example, are excepted.

Several nations, including ours, participated in the capture and transport of Africans to this country for sale, and our ancestors bought and abused them. Consequently the descendents of those slaves don’t enjoy the thread of history and tradition that others do. I don’t begrudge their creating a holiday to fill the gap, especially one that espouses the principles of Kwanzaa.

R. CUPLIN

Brier