Threat to the developmentally disabled

Currently before our legislators is SSB 5594 — the closing of one of our states RHCs, (Residential Habilitation Centers) the Fircrest School in Shoreline. It is one of the homes that provides excellent care for our developmentally disabled.

The topic has become extremely controversial, even inflammatory as those who would close Fircrest claim that there would be a cost savings in moving its residents into “the community.”

False. Extensive research into the matter has proven that there would be no cost savings.

Proponents of closing Fircrest (as aired recently on KING 5 TV) portray it as some sort of “institution” wherein its clients are fighting to be set free to live in the community.

False. The developmentally disabled such as our son, Eric, are happy and content at Fircrest. The clients live in duplexes situated on manicured lawns, with gardens and walking paths. They can engage in art projects (Eric recently constructed a bird house) and buses take them to outside activities frequently.

Secondly, there is nothing in place for Fircrest residents to move into. When the Frances Haddon Morgan Center, a similar RHC in Bremerton, was shut down in 2011, where did most of its clients end up? At Fircrest!

Other factors must be considered. Because many of its residents have autism, shoving them out of familiar surroundings would cause incredible mental and emotional trauma. The forced move of clients from the Morgan Center resulted in injuries and even death.

Washington state legislators, take note.

This story was originally published April 12, 2017 at 5:29 PM with the headline "Threat to the developmentally disabled."