INCLUSION DAILY EXPRESS

http://www.InclusionDaily.com

Your quick, once-a-day look at disability rights, self-determination
and the movement toward full community inclusion around the world.

Monday, July 7, 2003
Year IV, Edition 108

This front page features 9 news and information items, each preceded by a number (#) symbol.
Click on the"Below the Fold" link at the bottom of this page for the rest of today's news.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"I can see how things would be before they happen."

--Entrepreneur Tom Kojis, who has started and operated a number of businesses since he was a youngster (Sixth story)

"This is one of those rare circumstances in state government where we have the opportunity to save millions of dollars and improve services."
--David Azbell, press secretary to Alabama Governor Bob Riley, about a plan to close several state-run institutions housing people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses (First story)

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# INSTITUTIONS

Sawyer Plan Calls For Closing Alabama Institutions

By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 7, 2003

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA--Last Wednesday, Mental Health Commissioner Kathy Sawyer submitted an 85-page report to Governor Bob Riley outlining how the state should close three of its four institutions housing people with developmental disabilities, along with several psychiatric facilities.

The governor is expected to make a decision in a few weeks. Riley's office has indicated that he supports Sawyer's plan.

"This is one of those rare circumstances in state government where we have the opportunity to save millions of dollars and improve services," Riley's Press Secretary David Azbell said.

Under Sawyer's plan the state would shut down the Lurleen Wallace Developmental Center in Decatur, the Albert Brewer Developmental Center in Daphne and the J.S. Tarwater Developmental Center in Wetumpka. Residents would either move to the W.D. Partlow Center in Tuscaloosa, or to group homes, or to their family homes with new supports from the state.

Sawyer, along with other current and former officials, have said that closing some of Alabama's institutions is inevitable because the trend toward smaller, community-based settings has left large facilities half-empty and too expensive to operate.

In her report, Sawyer says her plan will save the state $21 million over two years. She said the savings could be used to reduce a 2,000-person waiting list for community-based services.

The institutions' campuses are being eyed by the Pardons and Paroles department to help the crowded state prison system.

Related article:
"State may close institutions, transfer inmates" (Birmingham News)

http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0707a.htm

"Problems in Alabama's Institutions" (Inclusion Daily Express)
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/institutions/al/lead.htm

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# INSTITUTIONS

Virginia Settles Lawsuit With Beating Victim's Family

By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 7, 2003

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA--Last Tuesday, the state announced that it has settled a lawsuit with the family of a man who suffered a fatal beating while in solitary confinement at a Virginia psychiatric facility.

In December 1994, John McCloskey was committed to Western State Hospital in Staunton and placed in solitary confinement after being arrested on charges of indecent exposure.

Three days later the 18-year-old was found beaten in his cell. Doctors at a nearby hospital found that he had massive abdominal injuries, including a ruptured bowel.

McCloskey was in a semi-conscious state of agony until he eventually died of the wounds in February 1996 -- 14 months after the attack.

Even though a medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, no arrests have been made. McCloskey's family believed Western State and its director were responsible for the death, because the teen was beaten by an employee or another patient that was not supervised properly.

The family filed the suit seeking $10 million. The amount and other details of the settlement agreement were not made public.

The state denied any liability or wrongdoing in the case.

Officials still do not know who assaulted McCloskey, who reportedly had "mental problems", but some investigators focused on the officers that brought him into the hospital after his initial arrest.

Related article:
"Family, hospital settle suit in slaying" (Roanoke Times)

http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story151824.html

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# ARTS

"Poetry Allows Writer To Unclog Her Pent-up Feelings" by Betsy MacMichael

July 7, 2003

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA--The following paragraphs are excerpts from Sunday's column by parent-advocate Betsy MacMichael in the Durham Herald-Sun:

Megan Jones is a writer. She writes poetry mainly, but also quick, insightful prose pieces in response to current events. Megan describes writing the same way she talks about life in general, with great enthusiasm. As a writer, I appreciate Megan's spirited passion for writing; it is an essential ingredient to getting anything worthwhile onto paper.

I interviewed Megan recently in order to share with others some of her thinking and writing.

A Chapel Hill resident in her mid-20s, Megan has experienced developmental disability since birth. She is interesting, optimistic, funny, and she is a prolific writer.

Her poems reflect a breadth of both subject matter and sources of inspiration.

Entire article:
"Poetry allows writer to unclog her pent-up feelings" (Durham Herald-Sun)

http://www.heraldsun.com/features/54-367771.html

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# CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Community Mourns Teen's Death And Calls For Outside Investigation Of Police Who Shot Him

By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 7, 2003

DENVER, COLORADO--Neighbors, friends, and family members of Paul Childs are planning a candlelight vigil Thursday, to remember the 15-year-old who was shot to death by police at his home this past Saturday afternoon.

According to Paul Childs' mother, Helen, she had been joking around with the teen, when he came out of the kitchen clutching a knife. A family friend in the house called Denver police saying Childs was "threatening his mother".

Helen said she was not concerned when police arrived around 1:00 p.m., so she went out to greet them and to explain what had been going on. She said her son, described as having developmental disabilities, learning disabilities and epilepsy, had a good relationship with police who had brought him home several times when he had wandered off.

This time, however, police pulled Helen away when they saw the teenager standing in the doorway clutching the knife in front of his face.

Officers ordered Childs to drop the knife. When he didn't follow the order, they opened fire.

He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later.

Local community activists are calling for an independent investigation into the incident and the way the Denver Police deal with people who have mental disabilities.

Related article:
"Teen with knife killed by cops" (Denver Post)

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~4330~1496899,00.html

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# INSTITUTIONS / CRIME

Baghdad Psych Facility Is Missing Medications, Files, Patients

July 7, 2003

BAGHDAD, IRAQ--The Mercury News ran a story Monday about the Al-Rashaad State Hospital for the Mentally Ill located in Baghdad.

Looters hit the facility as Baghdad fell nearly three months ago, taking virtually everything that was not nailed down, including individual medical records, appliances and patients' medications.

About 500 patients are still missing, presumably walking the streets begging for food, water and shelter from the 115 degree heat.

"We need beds, blankets, sheets, but most of all electricity and ice," said Jinal Falha, a nurse.

According to the report, the International Committee for the Red Cross is helping the staff rebuild. They are working to get generators running so the hospital will have electricity.

Entire article with link to 7 photographs:
"Mental hospital in dire shape" (The Mercury News)

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/6248770.htm

Related resource:
Disabilities And The "War On Terror" (Inclusion Daily Express)

http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/war.htm

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# EMPLOYMENT

Kojis' Flower Business Is Growing

July 7, 2003

RACINE, WISCONSIN--Tom Kojis has been in business for himself in one way or another since he was a youngster.

Kojis, who has cerebral palsy, started out with a newspaper recycling business, using a small lawn tractor and a couple of wagons to collect papers around town.

He also started his own produce company that now supplies fresh food to three locations in the area.

A few years ago his interest in flowers led him to start Tom's Plants.

"I can see how things would be before they happen," said the budding entrepreneur.

Related article:
"After many careers, Tom Kojis settles on plants"

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2003/07/08/community/iq_2335163.txt

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# TODAY'S FEATURED CRIME & ABUSE WEBSITE

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Information Center

Nursing home abuse and neglect has become widespread and a growing epidemic. It is a serious problem affecting thousands of nursing home residents who are dependent on nursing homes for care. Abuse and neglect can be difficult to recognize and is often covered-up by nursing home staff. This site is a place for the consumer to gain important information on nursing home abuse and neglect, what to look for, and what can be done about it.

http://www.nursinghomeabuse.com/

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# EXPRESS EXTRA!!!

From the Inclusion Daily Express Archives (One year ago)

COMMUNITY LIVING

"She Now Has A Window With A View"

July 3, 2002

GOLETA, CALIFORNIA--What a difference a few months and a move to the community makes.

In February, Terry Boisot introduced us to a woman she met at a large California institution. That woman, whom Boisot referred to as "Mary", lived in a depressingly barren room with no windows, no pets, no decorations, no privacy -- no color.

Boisot recently visited Mary who moved out of the instititution and into her own place a few weeks ago.

"This time everything was different," Boisot wrote. "Everything."

The article was posted Monday at TheArcLink.org:
"She Now Has a Window with a View"
http://thearclink.org/news/article.asp?ID=435

Terry introduced us to her friend "Mary" in February through this story:
"She Can Hardly Wait To Move And She's Afraid To Leave"
http://www.thearclink.org/news/article.asp?ID=374

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# DISCUSSION BOARD
Check in with other Inclusion Daily Express readers:
http://members5.boardhost.com/InclusionDaily

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# BELOW THE FOLD
Click here for the rest of today's disability-related news:
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/btf/070703_62.htm

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Dave Reynolds, Editor