March 1, 2010 Announcement:

[Guest guest]

March 1, 2010 Announcement:

The publication ban that is statutorily set by the Director for children who

have received government support is considered waived with regards to

. On February 24th 2010, the Executive Assistant to Child & Youth

Services' Minister, Fritz, Ms. Margaret Molenkamp, verbally relayed that

no ban is in place and that I am free to speak of my daughter. To ensure factual

accuracy, I returned a follow-up letter to both the Minister as well as to

Premier Ed Stelmach (as below). The Director chose not to respond, thus, the

Government ban may be deemed legally waived. I will openly discuss details

relating to my daughter, , born June 4th 1993; who became

an angel on December 3rd 2006.

December 3rd 2009 marks the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities table in the House of Commons.

December 3rd is also a date of significance in the Province of Alberta, Canada.

The life and circumstances surrounding , a child with a

rare chromosome disorder, *Tetrasomy 18p, led her mother, Velvet , to

challenge archaic laws inhibiting the rights of persons with disability & their

families. Persistence resulted in the establishment of:

" 's Law "

Amendment to the Alberta FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities)

Act, effective December 2006:

http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/527.cfm

Section 2-3, Manual Amendments: Policy and Procedures in Family Centred Supports

and Services:

" The Family Support for Children with Disabilities Program to have separate

legislation from that of child protection services. "

In Celebration of the Importance of Life & Loving Memory of:

, June 4, 1993 - December 3, 2006.

Many recommendations were posed to Ministry regards to discerning the two

groups. However, it is with great sadness that I relay, it was not until my

child's death that Amendment was at last the catalyst to change in Alberta.

passed on December 3rd 2006 and FSCD legislation was effected

retroactive December 2006.

While I appreciate that the Ministry refers to our history as " a learning

experience " for them. For us, the absence of our child will forever hold an

empty space in our hearts and lives. The sole consolation that we may take is

the hope that archaic perspectives towards individuals with disability may begin

to change and with this - " 's Law " - other loving families, their

children and constitutional rights will better protected in the future.

Often, laws have the ability to set precedence and be instituted in neighbouring

jurisdiction... This is our greatest hope for all: Recognition that our

daughter's life held significance as she continues to live on by aiding others

in need.

Sincerely,

Velvet

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February 24, 2010

Honourable Fritz,

Minister of Children and Youth Services

Member of Executive Council

Executive Branch

228 Legislature Building

10800 - 97 Avenue

Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6

Dear Minister Fritz,

To further today's telephone conversation with the Offices of the Premier and

Ministry of Children's Services: The Office of the Premier referred back to the

Child & Youth Ministry; although on February 10th, the Ministry referred to an

Information Officer, Bob Arsenault, who indicated that response should be

achieved through the Premier.

It is most challenging to effect answers when Senior Personnel within the

Government do not establish appropriate communication protocol. Upon

consultation with Margaret Molenkamp, Executive Assistant, I was informed that I

may speak freely of my daughter, . Thus, I will consider it

accurate that the Publication Ban has been waived if I do not hear otherwise

from the Director within 3 days. resided within a foster

establishment strictly as a means to access funding & services (as directed by

Representatives of the Ministry) and did not - at any time - fit the mandate of

an individual in need of " Child Welfare " defined by the Government of Alberta;

so the decision to waive the ban is appropriate.

There remain 3 additional factors, however, that must be reviewed and responded

to directly by Minister Fritz:

1/ The Director is responsible for the conduct of its employees. Therefore, the

Minister is held responsible for its employees' failure to inform medical

personnel and pursue needed intervention. The foster mother (name removed) and

caseworker (name removed) - for treatment of conditions that prompted

's health collapse. Employees' behaviours need be consequenced

appropriately and their ability to harm others eradicated.

Grievances before the Government of Alberta for the negligent treatment of our

daughter, , are not allegations, but factually based on evidence

backed by hundreds of documents from medical and educational facilities. The

Fatality Inquiry, we are informed, will not and cannot impose conditions of

blame; thus, Justice is averted. *Who will take responsibility for the negligent

actions that suffered? Only the Government, acting on behalf of

the Child can effect Justice.

*A powerful message must be relayed that zero tolerance will exist regards to

negligence surrounding a child's care. Evasion of responsibility is completely

unacceptable.

2/ Alberta Justice, Government-appointed solicitor (name removed) has proved

unable to impartially present the case of within the scope of a

Public Fatality Inquiry. A lawyer, acting as an employee of the Ministry, is

essentially self-examining its own wrong-doing and unable to respond freely from

bias. Furthermore,(name removed) personal feelings towards individuals with

developmental disability are both archaic and ethically unconstitutional: (Name

removed) erroneously views persons with developmental delay as necessarily

" suffering " . To diminish a person, equating worthiness of life based upon

preconceived notions of developmental ability is a serious breach of conduct.

Reference to a child as " It " is a deplorable display that requires sanction.

3/ Though I have continuously devoted time and efforts to the Ministry assisting

with internal review and strategic recommendations for policy amendment - which

have been incorporated into legislation - no recognition follows. No apology,

nor offer of restitution from the Government of Alberta. Not even a tribute for

our daughter's life... " We, the victims, are left with unanswered questions.

And, without a life. is deserving of a commemorative marker in

her community where those who loved her may honour the significant impact of her

existence. Implementation of the F.S.C.D. Amendment whereby children with

disabilities shall be viewed distinctly from those individuals requiring

protective services, I recommend, should be referred to in Legislation as

" 's Law " .

Sincerely,

Velvet

cc: Margaret Molenkamp

Premier Ed Stelmach via facsimile

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(\ -- /)

( \()/ )

( / \ ) TAKE THIS LITTLE ANGEL ^j^

(/\/\) AND KEEP HER CLOSE TO YOU

/ \ SHE IS SENT AS A GUARDIAN

( ___ ) TO PROTECT ALL THAT IS TRUE

Velvet ,

Administrator for Tetrasomy 18p Canada

" 's Syndrome "

http://www.tetrasomy18p.ca/