memo

[Guest guest]

When your up to your butt in alligators sometimes it's difficult to remember

WHO made the SWAMP in the first place. LOL, Anne

[Guest guest]

MEMO FROM GOD > >YOU >Date: TODAY >From: GOD - The Boss! >Subject: YOURSELF >Reference: LIFE > >This is God Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day. > >I love you. > >GOD > >P.S. > >And, remember.... > >If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself !! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. > > > > >P.S.S. >Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. > > > > >If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege. > > > > > >Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years. > > > > > >Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. > > > > > >Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. > > > > > >Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. > > > > > >Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. > > > > > >Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. > > > > > >Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them! > > > > > >Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you, you may have touched their life in ways you will never know! > >Now, you have a nice day, > >God > >

[Guest guest]

Perhaps the ARC or other key stakeholder will author a position paper that

directly identifies and debunks opponent views of the Blueprint. 

As an aside, what are the arguments against the blueprint? 

Pam

Western Springs

memo

Ellen,

I was able to send my version (changed so little, guilty of plagiarism) of your

memo to the following

reps:

Mike Connelly, Franco Coladipietro, Sandy Pihos, Mike Fortner

I also gave them a hard copy at the Autism forum in Wheaton last night as well

as Senator Randy

Hultgren, Dupage County County Board Member Dirk Enger and Deanie Bergbreiter,

assitant attorney

general public aid bureau.

She (Deanie) told me she has an 8yr. old with autism

Sandy Pihos asked me where I stood on the Blueprint and I responded that I

strongly supported it and

why. She just answered that most people at the meeting last time were against

it. This is true, I was

there and we were outnumbered or maybe opponents were just more vocal.

Thais

[Guest guest]

I need to leave, but I will respond to this VERY important question later this

evening.

Glad you asked, Pam. And thank you Thais for supporting the Blueprint and for

advocating with your legislators and others in your area. I don't think you

could throw a stone anymore and not hit someone who happens to be the parent of

or good friend of someone who has a child with autism!

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

memo

Ellen,

I was able to send my version (changed so little, guilty of plagiarism) of

your memo to the following

reps:

Mike Connelly, Franco Coladipietro, Sandy Pihos, Mike Fortner

I also gave them a hard copy at the Autism forum in Wheaton last night as well

as Senator Randy

Hultgren, Dupage County County Board Member Dirk Enger and Deanie Bergbreiter,

assitant attorney

general public aid bureau.

She (Deanie) told me she has an 8yr. old with autism

Sandy Pihos asked me where I stood on the Blueprint and I responded that I

strongly supported it and

why. She just answered that most people at the meeting last time were against

it. This is true, I was

there and we were outnumbered or maybe opponents were just more vocal.

Thais

[Guest guest]

Sad but true Ellen.

Pam, Ellen will answer that question better than I but I can tell you that

many Elderly parents who have

adult children in residential facilities were present at the townhall meeting

and they voiced their

opposition to Blueprint

Thais

--

WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam, Thais and everyone:

I assume those elderly parents had their children in ICF/DD's and maybe even

SODC's...

These aging families had no other options when they needed residential settings

for their loved ones. Most of our children have been out in the community all

through school and while they were growing up and most of us do not want

restrictive environments for our children. The fact is, no one belongs in an

institution. Everyone can and should be supported in the community. That means

a major philosophical and paradigm change for this state. Many other states

have closed all of their institutions and many states have closed many of their

institutions.

The Blueprint does lay out a plan to systematically downsize and close five of

the nine state operated facilities (SODC's=state operated facilities= state

operated developmental centers...just so we are all on the same page with the

terminology). ICF/DD's are intermediate care facilities for the developmentally

disabled...these are smaller than SODC's , often private (an example of which

would be Misercordia)...But there is NOTHING in the Blueprint about ICF/DD

closure or downsizing.

The Blueprint is about making sure that what individuals and their families need

and want in the 21st century, community inclusion and integration, can happen.

There is recognition of the need to shore up the infrascture, create capacity

and also to make sure that a solid crisis intervention plan is in place.

Anyway, gotta run. I have two meetings this evening...UGH!

If this doesn't answer Pam's question, let me know and I can attempt more

later.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: memo

Sad but true Ellen.

Pam, Ellen will answer that question better than I but I can tell you that

many Elderly parents who have

adult children in residential facilities were present at the townhall meeting

and they voiced their

opposition to Blueprint

Thais

--

WOW! Homepage (http://www.wowway.com)

[Guest guest]

I am seeking some guidance in answering your question, Pam. I gave you some of

my thoughts on it, but others may be able to give you a better, fuller

response...

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

memo

Ellen,

I was able to send my version (changed so little, guilty of plagiarism) of

your memo to the following

reps:

Mike Connelly, Franco Coladipietro, Sandy Pihos, Mike Fortner

I also gave them a hard copy at the Autism forum in Wheaton last night as well

as Senator Randy

Hultgren, Dupage County County Board Member Dirk Enger and Deanie Bergbreiter,

assitant attorney

general public aid bureau.

She (Deanie) told me she has an 8yr. old with autism

Sandy Pihos asked me where I stood on the Blueprint and I responded that I

strongly supported it and

why. She just answered that most people at the meeting last time were against

it. This is true, I was

there and we were outnumbered or maybe opponents were just more vocal.

Thais

[Guest guest]

Pam and all...This week at the legislative meeting in Wheaton one state rep

expressed to me her concern that people at Misercordia will be forced to

move out. I said that is not part of the Blueprint. However that message

must be getting across to west suburban reps because I think they are all

hesitant to put their weight behind the Blueprint. and this concern about

Misercordia may be the reason. I think Kennedy said Howe is costing

$60 million ...cant remember the time line for that, if that was this year

or over a multi year period, but it is still an outrageous amount for

helping 300 people. Misercordia is serving 500 people with 600 on its

waiting list. Last count 17, 000 on the states list and the numbers of

people getting the lions share of the money while so many people are

getting nothing is so wrong ..immoral.

I too believe the Blueprint experts may need to do a quick hard sell to

dispell the talk.. I think the fact that it is aBlueprint without details

is behind some push back as well. The west suburban block of reps is large

and if they are holding off because they lack details, they need their

concerns answered. There is confusion between what is being suggested for

state ops and private ICFDD. I have heard the talk on the Blueprint, i have

not heard anyone will be forced out of Misercordia. It is an ICFDD. If

Howe closes, that obviously is a different story, .

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Cindi.

I am passing all of these really important comments on to Sheila Romana, Exec.

Dir of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, the agency that

commissioned the Blueprint.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: memo

Pam and all...This week at the legislative meeting in Wheaton one state rep

expressed to me her concern that people at Misercordia will be forced to

move out. I said that is not part of the Blueprint. However that message

must be getting across to west suburban reps because I think they are all

hesitant to put their weight behind the Blueprint. and this concern about

Misercordia may be the reason. I think Kennedy said Howe is costing

$60 million ...cant remember the time line for that, if that was this year

or over a multi year period, but it is still an outrageous amount for

helping 300 people. Misercordia is serving 500 people with 600 on its

waiting list. Last count 17, 000 on the states list and the numbers of

people getting the lions share of the money while so many people are

getting nothing is so wrong ..immoral.

I too believe the Blueprint experts may need to do a quick hard sell to

dispell the talk.. I think the fact that it is aBlueprint without details

is behind some push back as well. The west suburban block of reps is large

and if they are holding off because they lack details, they need their

concerns answered. There is confusion between what is being suggested for

state ops and private ICFDD. I have heard the talk on the Blueprint, i have

not heard anyone will be forced out of Misercordia. It is an ICFDD. If

Howe closes, that obviously is a different story, .

Cindi

[Guest guest]

There is recognition of the need to shore up the infrascture, create capacity

and also to make sure that a solid crisis intervention plan is in place.

I haven't read the Blueprint yet, but may sit down tonight & read it.

The crisis intervention would be a good idea as far as ICF-DD's go. The staff

should know how to do it.

Last week, my son had several incident reports. He's been smacking his head more

on the wall or floor, biting himself, swinging at staff, talking of shooting

people with a gun,(I found a Western movie in his room at our house....It had

lots of shooting, etc. His roommate also watches Westerns.) throwing up, etc.

etc.

Yesterday, he also had a bad day. I contacted the facility, told them to call

his doc to see about getting an earlier appt. (he has one for April 2nd.) The

doc wanted him seen in the ER & have him admitted for a psych eval...(in a

locked ward)....He's still at the facility...(we said No admit)....

I'm taking the day off tomorrow to contact his neuro. (I couldn't even

concentrate today at work.)

One of the STAFF members had a " behavior " Sunday....she was much better behaved

tonight when I was there....(her supervisor was also there)

There are some 4 bed ICF-DD's around here, but of course no openings.

Liz