April 18, 2020
Here is a
link to a story today in the Washington Post; as I “vented frustration” last evening to Dr. Danny Avula, Director of the Richmond/Henrico Department of Health who called to offer assistance, I tried to explain the unfortunate side effect of our efforts over the last thirty years to be integrated into the larger community with services/supports that blend with and become part of that community – we have become invisible.
There is no sign in the front yard which announces “THIS IS A GROUP HOME FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES,” day services do not utilize 15 passenger vans clearly marked with the program name, and we are rarely out and about in groups of more than three or four – we have become invisible.
Stories such as the one above make it clear the need is there – but we remain invisible!