McCarron Trial To Begin June 25

The trial of former physician Karen McCarron is set to begin on June 25. McCarron, of Morton, Illinois, is being charged with murdering her 3-year old daughter Katherine, who had autism.

McCarron, 37, of Morton, was originally charged May 16 with two counts of first-degree murder after reportedly confessing to suffocating her 3-year-old autistic daughter, Katherine, with a plastic garbage bag on May 13.Besides the two counts of murder, a grand jury on June 1 indicted McCarron on two counts of obstructing justice, a Class 4 felony, and one count of concealment of a homicidal death, a Class 3 felony, court records say.

The first count of obstructing justice alleges that McCarron took her daughter's body from the Morton residence of her mother, Erna Frank, where McCarron allegedly committed the murder, back to her own residence at 390 E. Idlewood Drive, placing Katherine's body in a bed as if she were asleep.

The second count of obstructing justice alleges that McCarron took the garbage bag she allegedly used to a Morton gas station and threw it away there.

If convicted on all counts, McCarron could face up to 100 years in prison.

Kendrick Weighs In on "Ashley"

National syndicated columnist Deborah Kendrick has weighed on the story of Ashley, the young girl with severe disabilities who has undergone "attenuation" treatments to keep her small and away from possible problems such as breast cancer.

Keeping girl from growing is fraught with danger signs
Sunday, January 21, 2007

DEBORAH KENDRICK

The story of Ashley’s treatment is almost too weird to talk about, which plays into the metaphorical elephant in the room: an unmistakable problem that everyone pretends isn’t there.

The treatment, which will prevent a 9-year-old girl from growing beyond her child-size body, was made public by a blog begun earlier this month by the parents of Ashley, who has the mental capacity of an infant because of a condition called static encephalopathy.

When Ashley was six, her parents consulted with the medical staff at Seattle Children’s Hospital and thus began the medical process that is being called growth attenuation. More specifically, the past 2 1 /2 years have involved removing her uterus (so she won’t have periods), her appendix (just in case she has an appendicitis someday), breast tissue (so she won’t grow breasts), and treating with estrogen and other hormones to prevent her from growing taller.

The surgeries and treatment began when Ashley was six. She weighs 75 pounds, is four-feet-five and is not expected to grow much larger.

Her parents’ side of the story is that they love their daughter, want always to be able to take care of her and would not be able to do so if she grew into a heavy adult body. They refer to her as their pillow angel.

An ethics committee at the hospital gave its approval, but disability-rights organizations have expressed outrage at what is they deem disability discrimination, eugenics and plain and simple mutilation and experimentation.

On the face of it, my parental heart understands some of what motivated Ashley’s parents. They want to protect her from further pain, they say, or from possible molestation, were she to grow into an adult woman’s body. They want to ensure that they are able to lift and carry her and, um, put her on the pillow.

We all want to protect and care for our children. As one who worries excessively about every possible circumstance or outcome, I can even imagine how parents might latch onto the concept. My heart aches for them. But performing a hysterectomy on a sixyear-old?

The parents’ rationale is that because large breasts and breast cancer run in the family, Ashley’s treatment will guard her from eventually experiencing discomfort or possible abuse.

But we must ask if we would we do these same things to a child who doesn’t have disabilities. If some kind of organ cancer runs in your family, would you have the organ removed from your nondisabled child?

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities are often not able to advocate for themselves. It is left to their families, caregivers and, I believe, all of us, to advocate for them. And the only way I know to do that is to look into one’s soul and ask comparison questions: If it were me or my child (who doesn’t have disability x, y, or z), what would I do?

When I ask myself those questions, the answers come quickly. Maybe hormone treatments to inhibit growth and avoid menstrual periods are OK, but certainly not a major irrevocable surgical revision.

Yes, in this case, the child has the mind of an infant and can’t walk or run or speak. But there’s a strong nagging possibility that the next Ashley treatment might be performed on a child — or an adult — who can speak for himself.

Deborah Kendrick is a Cincinnati writer and advocate for people with disabilities.
dkkendrick@earthlink.net

AAPD Protesting West Virginia Cell Phone Rates: Ohio's Among the Lowest

Groups representing people with disabilities and senior citizens in West Virginia are outraged over the state's monthy cell phone fees. The groups say it is a regressive tax that unfairly burdens the poor, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

The groups leading the charge are the American Association of People with Disabilities, The Seniors Coalition, and West Virginia Grange.

Ohio's monthly cell phone rate is $0.32, only 11% of West Virginia's fee, which is the highest in the nation.

The groups have set up a website to help their cause.

Driver "Thought There Was Enough Room On The Right"

David Michael Bell is on trial in California for two counts of second degree murder. He is claiming that he had a seizure from an condition that had previously gone undiagnosed due to his disabilities of a hearing impairment, a speech impediment, and other disabilities.

The crash caused the death of Ana and Luis Cardenas, 9 and 7. It also caused numerous other serious injuries, including the loss of a leg of young Kassandra Rocha.

The testimony from officers in the case seems to indicate otherwise.

Police Department, interviewed Bell several hours after the crash and said the Fairfield resident did not show signs of injury or difficulty recollecting what had happened.

"He said he thought there was enough room to pass on the right," he said, regarding Bell's decision to pass the afternoon traffic even though there was not another lane. "He said he was driving between 35 and 50 mph."

The defendant also acknowledged during that interview that the area was zoned for 25 mph and that he was well aware that people "could get hurt or die" as a result of his decision to drive the way that he did, Curtis explained.

"He said he never lost consciousness," he added. "He was very specific."

American Idol on Disabilities

The general consensus in the disability community toward the runaway hit American Idol is negative. I have met many people in the disability community who simply cannot watch the show - at least not until it reaches the final when the truly talented are all that is left. The tryouts, for many, are too painful.

There have been many instances over the past several seasons where a contestant appeared to be someone who was battling issues such as mental illness, and the show appeared to exploit that fact for ratings.

I can specifically remember one contestant who started complaining about hearing voices in her head during the audition - and the show responded by playing music reminiscent of the shower scene in "Psycho." She was indeed a terrible singer, but making fun of her obvious illness is cruel.

In one of last week's episodes, a young man with mental retardation named Jonathon Jayne came in and sang "God Bless America." His singing was not very good, but (for a change) the judges were pretty nice to him, and Paula in particular was supportive.

The Special Olympics responded with a statement: "While polite isn't a word one would normally associate with Cowell and company, a viewing of the episode in question shows that the judges were in fact gracious and very encouraging to [Jonathan] Jayne during his rendition of 'God Bless America,' " the organization said in a statement, noting that "at one point, [judge Paula] Abdul commented admiringly about Jayne's spirit and advised him to 'always believe in yourself.' "

Meanwhile, Jayne called the experience "absolutely wonderful" in an interview with the Seattle Times, explaining that he did it because he hopes to eventually land a job as a DJ or talk show host.

I am happy that Mr. Jayne had a positive experience on the show. But I think the show's track record on this issue is horrible. Most people who are terrible singers are well aware of it - and if they believe they are great singers, they are probably troubled. And Idol has shown far too often that it is willing to use that for ratings.

"I don't think that we should be censors on the type of people," (said Simon Cowell). And what we're trying to be, I think, on the show, more than anything else, is representative. A lot of the bad singers you are seeing -- trust me -- there are thousands that didn't make it through. And I think if you asked any of those thousands who didn't make it through, every one of them would say, 'I wish I had the chance.' "

Sorry, Simon. I don't buy it.

AGs Office Misses Deadline for Disability Case

The state of Ohio believes that disability service providers can be required to sign contracts with county boards of MR/DD in order to be able to provide services in that county.

Only now it may be a little more difficult for the state to make its case.

The office of Marc Dann, the new Attorney General, missed a court-imposed deadline to be a party to the case.

The deadline was inauguration day, amid statewide events and galas, which was a few days into his term as Attorney General.

A trial judge found the arrangement violated federal Medicaid law, which calls for a single state agency to administer the Medicaid program and assure the rights of Medicaid patients to freely choose who treats them is protected.

Winters said that on Jan. 8, the day Attorney General Marc Dann was attending inaugural festivities in Warren and Youngstown, a young lawyer in the office tried but failed to get the state's filing to the high court by the 5 p.m. deadline.

According to the Dann's office, the state can still file briefs and respond to arguments even if it is not officially a party to the case.

County Boards Considering Dropping "Retardation"

Several county boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities are considering changing their name to eliminate the term "mental retardation."

To put a label on the people we serve, a label they find degrading and embarrassing, is unforgivable," said Kim Miller, superintendent of the Union County program. "A name change is the right thing to do."

I have been to numerous national conferences where this has been discussed, and it seems the momentum (while not overwhelming) is heading in this direction.

The last real change was as a result of "person-first" language; namely, changing from a person being "mentally retarded," to them being a person with mental retardation. The latter was more dignified, but more difficult to say. The new preferred name change is toward something like, "intellectual disabilities," or "cognitive disabilities."

There are a couple of things to know about name changes...

1. They do have a tendency (at least for a while) to confuse people. One may not like the term "mental retardation," but there is little public confusion about what population is being discusseed. I think people understand the difference between a "learning disability" and a person with "mental retardation." The difference between "learning disability," and "intellectual disability" will not be so clear, at least not for a while.

2. It's very difficult (if not impossible) to eliminate the negative connotation inherent in a term, even a new one. If society has a somewhat negative view of a population, the term used to describe that population will eventually be seen as pejorative. In 30 or 40 years, I can easily see a movement to eliminate the term "intellectual disability," which in all honestly does continue to focus on a shortcoming.

But after all things are considered, name changes are important. A look back at the not-so-distant past reveals a startling reality check. Twenty years ago in Cleveland, the Achievement Centers for Children was known as the Society for Crippled Children. It is unthinkable to refer to them as such today.

"Achievement Center" is much more positive and uplifting. But it doesn't tell you anything about who they serve, which must have presented a new set of challenges to that organization.

Name changes are good and necessary, and a step in the right direction. They just aren't perfect.

Ohio Company Invents Device To Aid Caregivers

Springfield Jarco Instruments has invented a device that they feel will be an aid to caregivers of patients who have "physical disabilities" or progressive illnesses like Alzheimers. The device is known as the Caregiver's Third Eye.

The story starts the way that so many do...

James Riley didn't want to send his elderly mother-in-law to a nursing home, but her Alzheimer's disease was proving difficult to handle.

This is where assistive technology often comes in.

Often during the night she would awaken, begin wandering away from her bed and fall because she was disoriented.

"I slept on the couch, but by the time we got to the bed she'd be on the floor," Riley said.
Frustrated and concerned for his mother-in-law's health, the head of Springfield Jarco Instruments and his daughter, Tami Randall, invented a device that rang an alarm every time his mother-in-law attempted to leave her bed.

The instrument, dubbed the Caregiver's Third Eye, uses an infrared beam and a reflector to trigger a shrill alarm unit that can be placed up to 100 feet away and in a separate room such as the caregiver's bedroom. The beam, placed across a doorway or along side a bed, will set off the alarm when its path is obstructed.

The Third Eye also can warn people if a young child is crawling toward a staircase, a sleepwalking spouse is on the move or if a pet has entered a forbidden room in the house, Randall said.

For more information about the Caregiver's Third Eye, please contact Springfield Jarco at springfieldjarco@att.net.

State Moving To Strip License in Fiesel Death

The state of Ohio is taking steps to remove the license of a private group that placed 3-year old Marcus Fiesel with the foster parents who are accused of killing him.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services cited Lifeway for Youth yesterday for 147 violations, including 27 directly related to the Marcus Fiesel case, as reasons for revoking the certification.

Sounds like they will need a good lawyer to get out of this one.

The Department of Job and Family Services faulted Lifeway for allowing foster parents such as the Carolls to care for special-needs children without the requisite experience; incomplete training; and not conducting appropriate background checks.

The state also cited Lifeway for hiring uncredentialed clinical workers, keeping poor records, not investigating possible violations by foster parents and certifying foster parents before home studies were completed.

Make that a very good lawyer.

John Martin Featured in Dispatch

There is an excellent front-page article in the Columbus Dispatch this morning about the new head of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, John Martin.

Also prominently featured is his 23-year old son Joel, who is a driving force in Mr. Martin's life.

California Man Claims Disabilities Played Role in Fatal Crash

A California man who is on trial for 2 counts of second degree murder and 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon is blaming the fatal crash, in part, on his disabilities.

David Michael Bell is on trial in connection with the death of Ana and Luis Cadenas(pictured), 9 and 7, respectively. The two children were among a crowd of people that Bell drove into with this car last October 19. God rest their souls.

Bell is claiming that he had a seizure related to a previously undetected seizure disorder. His lawyer, in opening arguments, said the reason it was undetected was due to his disabilities.

Bell was born handicapped, (Attorney Daniel) Russo said, and had numerous surgeries to help correct hearing loss. He said Bell now lives with a speech impediment and developmental disabilities, and has long struggled for normalcy.

The accident occurred due to an undiagnosed seizure condition, Russo said.

"When he came around the curve on Davis Street he had a seizure and lost control of his car," he said, noting that the condition had long gone undiagnosed because of the nature of his disabilities.

People with disabilities have to fight a public misperception when it comes to driving an automobile. Drivers with disbilities are safe, and when they have accidents it almost never has anything to do with their disabilities.

If Mr. Bell had a seizure, then prove it, and it may explain your actions that day. I'm just not sure what a hearing loss or speech impediment has to do with it.

I'm not a doctor (or a lawyer) but I certainly hope Mr. Bell isn't using his disabilities as a unrelated backdrop for sympathy from the jury.

Berkeley Named America's Most Accessible City

The National Organization on Disability has given a $25,000 award to the city of Berkeley, California, for being America's most accessible city.

Known for requiring the first sidewalk curb cuts, Berkeley also distinguished itself by developing the nation’s first “universally designed affordable housing project,” which provides subsidized apartments to low-income disabled citizens, (Cisco) DeVries (Chief of Staff to Mayor Tom Bates)said.

“(The apartments are) not only designed for the disabled but also for everyone throughout their lives,” said Paul Church, disability services specialist for the city. “You can age in place, if you will.”

I originally looked at this grant. But when I saw that it was awarded to America's Most Accessible City, I knew that my town had no shot. The truth is the truth: Columbus is making progress, but has a long way to go, and they don't pay me write fiction.

Congratulations to Berkeley, California.

Handicapped Parking Violator Gets Unique Sentence

Ragheem Smith was in a hurry. He parked in the open disability spaces at a Bi-Lo grocery store in Union, South Carolina. Unfortunately for his wallet, Mr. Smith was not a person with a disability - and that mistake can cost you.

State law gave Mr. Smith two options: Pay a $325 fine or spend 30 days in jail. Mr. Smith pleaded with the judge that he could not afford either, so a third alternative was created. Mr. Smith was required to return to the store and hold up a sign saying, "I am not handicapped. I just parked there. Sorry."

Magistrate Jeff Bailey imposed the sentence. ''I figured he needed to apologize in a public way,'' Bailey said.

''That was better than having to pay a lot of money,'' Smith said of his punishment. ''I know I won't do it no more.''

Disability Activists Protest Ashley's Treatment

Disability activists - in most stories incorrectly identified as "medical activists" - are staging protests over the medical treatment that Ashley received.

At this time, the protests seem to be targeted toward the American Medical Assocation, and not directly at the young girl's parents, which I think is good. The groups are seeking a condemnation from the AMA, as well as an investigation performed by state and federal officals to see if there was a violation of the girl's rights.

"It is unethical and unacceptable to perform intrusive and invasive medical procedures on a person or child with a disability simply to make the person easier to care for," said Steven Taylor, director of Syracuse University's Center on Human Policy.

The hospital said that the procedure was cleared through the existing channels...

Dr. Richard Molteni, the hospital's medical director, said there was no need to consult an institutional review board because Ashley's case was not an experiment. He said the hospital firmly believes it acted in her best interest. The decision to proceed was "thoroughly reviewed by a wide range of medical and surgical specialists, including neurologists, development specialists and ethicists," Molteni said.

About 25 protesters, some in wheelchairs, demonstrated outside the AMA's Chicago headquarters Thursday, chanting, "Accommodations, not operations.""As far as I'm concerned, it was mutilation," said Donna Harnett, 42, who brought her brain-damaged 10-year-old son, Martin, to the protest.

"Toward Becoming Our Own Gods": The Blade Weighs In On Ashley

There is a very interesting op/ed piece in today's Toledo Blade. Written by Rose Russell, who is a member of the Blade editorial board, it looks at the new debate over Ashley, the Washington girl who is undergoing "growth attenuation" treatement to keep her small and make her easier to care for as the years go by.

Does condoning Ashley's treatment link one with mercy killing? After all, her parents want to ease her suffering. They don't want her to endure the discomforts that accompany menses, for example. To support their endeavor implies that one would also back maneuvers to obtain various preferred traits, such as hair and eye color, and a child's gender. It suggests support for aborting a child whom parents learn is handicapped, and it also is reminds us of a time when doctors sought to sterilize mentally disabled girls and women.

Voice for Joanie

This is a great video about the impact that assistive technology can have in the lives of people with disabilities. Specifically, it is about a great program in Connecticut called Voices for Joanie that helps bring communication devices to people with dibilitating diseases.

Assistive Technology of Ohio Receives Funding From Christopher Reeve Foundation

Assistive Technology of Ohio, the Ohio Tech Act agency, is very pleased to announce funding for a submitted grant to the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

The grant, in the amount of $4,480, will be used toward Head Pointing Technology that will be part of the AT Ohio Device Lending Library and Device Demonstration Program. The approval came in the form of a letter from Kathy Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer.

We are excited and honored to receive funding from the prestigious Christopher Reeve Foundation. We look forward to purchasing the device and making it available as part of the services at AT Ohio.

As Mr. Reeve would have said, "go forward."

Too Many Black Students Suspended: Must Cut Funding for Assistive Technology

If you think you work in a system with too many local, state, and federal regulations, you should take a good look at our schools. Their regulations would tie me in knots.

In Springfield, Ohio, it was determined that the school district violated federal law by suspending too many black special education students.

The state has told the district to spend 15 percent of its special needs budget — about $365,000 — on measures to ensure disciplinary action isn't taken against a disproportionate number of minority special education students.

As a result, $20,000 worth of equipment for special needs children, such as viewing machines for the blind or hearing aids, won't be purchased this year, Treasurer Penny Rucker said.

First of all, just because a student is blind or deaf and needs assistive technology does not make them a special education student. So it appears they are punishing people who may likely be in an entirely different category.

But here's the part of the story that is most interseting to me:

Federal guidelines limit the number of special education children from different racial and ethnic groups who can be suspended. Data from the Ohio Department of Education show that the district suspended 17 black students in the 2004-05 school year. Lydia Pizner, special education director, said federal regulations limit the district to eight suspensions.

Let me see if I have this right --- if you are already at 8 suspensions, and a kid walks in to school with a weapon, suspending him would be a violation of federal law. I certainly hope that is not the case, and I'm nowhere near an expert on the IDEA. But I would think NOT suspending him would violate about 14 local, state and federal laws. So there you are.

Kids are smart; yes, even "special education" students. And if word gets out to them that the school district is legally barred from suspending them for bad behavior, that's not going to deter bad behavior. I understand the need to have mechanisms in place to address institutional racism, and I also believe there needs to be a way to address the problem of schools just reflexively suspending children with behavior problems. But having the feds set a hard number based on a formula for the number and and type of kids you can suspend in one year seems top-heavy, to say the least.

In any event, it seems a shame that students with disabilities of every and any color would have to suffer in the area of assistive technology for "violations" the school committed in an area that may not have had anything to do with them.

Governor's Council Honors Coshocton Arts Program

The Ohio Governor's Council on People with Disabilities has given the Ohio Best Practices Award to the Expressions program at the Residential Home for the Developmentally Disabled.

RHDD/Alternative Expressions started in Coshocton County two years ago as an agency to help developmentally disabled people with their housing needs, whether alone or in groups. The program has been operating in its new facility for less than a year.

Expressions is best-known for the paintings and other artwork that the clients make and offer for sale, and the program has plans for expansion. An online store is in the works, where people may pick the artwork they like and place it on T-shirts, coffee mugs and other items. Additionally, Expressions hopes to create an art gallery in their new building for the public to purchase items.

Ohio Constitution May Need Updating As Well

In light of what is going on in New Jersey, C&O looked into the Ohio Constitution to review its language regarding people with disabilities.

Section 5.06 states, "No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector."

(Insert easy political joke here).

Obviously it is outdated and would benefit from a change in language. But one can't just write a bill; it would have to be put to the vote of the people of the state. And that would open politicians to a season's worth of potshots that would tire quickly and (more importantly) that likely would not benefit people with mental retardation or other disabilities.

Here's an example. Headline from a column in Philadelphia Weekly: DICK CODEY LOOKING TO SHORE UP IDIOT VOTE, with such brilliant banter as, "Obviously, it's unenforced -- or else nobody could vote in Jersey!" And: "Six other state constitutions use the term 'idiots and insane.' (Oddly enough, Ohio just inserted those words into its constitution last week!)"

How incredibly funny.

I would assume there is some legislative or judicial guidance that has been given over the years on this provision, to define what it means. And I don't recall ever reading about a case in which a person challenged another's right to vote based on mental retardation, mental illness, or other disabilities. I'm certain it has happened, I just don't recall hearing about it.

It would be nice to get it changed, but then again, there may be better ways to use one's energy in this long fight.

Illinois Suspends McCarron's Medical License

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in the state of Illinois issued a permanent suspension of Karen McCarron's license to practice medicine in that state.

They had issued a temporary suspension in June of 2006, and made the finding permanent in November.

It's an interesting decision - not that anyone would disagree with it. But Ms. McCarron is facing a trial, and has yet to be found guilty. This is solely a procedural question of mine, but I just wonder why (seeing that there is a trial to come and her license is currently suspended) they felt they had to take this action now.

Perhaps there are time limits on temporary suspensions. Or perhaps her confession had something to do with it.

We'll keep you posted.

OSU Disability "Next Chapter Book Club" Concept Spreading Across the Country

It must be New Jersey Day here at Coral and Opal...

I noticed a story from Morris County, New Jersey, describing the successful beginning to the "Next Chapter Book Club" in the Garden State.

What is the Next Chapter Book Club? Started in 2002 at Ohio State University, it is a program for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities to get together and read. Part of the criteria is that they gather in a community place such as a bookstore or coffee shop. This is to foster communication skills, help make friends and have fun.

The story goes on to say that what started at the Nisonger Center at OSU has grown to over 60 chapters nationwide. I love it when a good, simple idea catches on.

Steve Rhatigan from President Council's Gives Clay Aiken Response

Steve Rhatigan, a member of the President's Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities, responded to my post about Clay Aiken being appointed to the committee...

Steven said...
Good observation. I am one of the named unknowns' you mentioned (Steve Rhatigan) and when we as a group heard that Clay would become our new "celeb" member, our hope was that he had the bones to be there. He was replacing Coach Gene Stallings (TX A&M, Alabama) who's contributions like the Rise Schools and his own advocacy for his son with Down Syndrome were a known quantity. We also came to the conclusion that he was a great addition and filled a void (educator). I have been an advocate now going on 27 years and only knew of 8 members before our first confab. They are all strong and I'm confident our time will be productive. Clay will be one reason for that success.
9:58 AM

Thanks to Steven for his response. And, by the way, here is what President Bush said about Steve Rhatigan...

Steven C. Rhatigan of The Woodlands, Texas brings a unique perspective to PCPID based on 25 years of planning and advocacy experience across the spectrum of disabling conditions. In addition to his life planning practice, he is a frequent speaker on the issues facing this unique and diverse population. He has served on numerous boards and committees including the advisory board for The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; President of The Mental Health Association of Greater Houston and President of the Houston Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He currently maintains active membership in over 20 disability support groups. Mr. Rhatigan has been married for 30 years to his wife Sharon and they have two grown children.

I knew I should have heard of him.

No More "Idiots" in New Jersey

A senator in the state of New Jersey has introduced legislation to amend the state constitution to rid the document of such offensive language as referring to people with intellectual disabilities as "idiots" or "insane."

It probably wasn't offensive at the time - it was originally inserted back in 1844.

The source of (Senator) Codey's ire is a section of the state constitution that addresses those who are eligible to vote. It states, "No idiot or insane person shall enjoy the right of suffrage."

It has been changed to "person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting."

It doesn't roll off the tongue like "idiot," but it certainly is the right thing to do.

Interestingly, there is a law that will be introduced next year in Ohio to change the language of the law in Ohio to remove similar offensive language. It is being driven by Doug DeVoe of Ohio Advocates for Mental Health.

John Martin Named New Head of MR/DD

Congratulations to John Martin, formerly of Sunshine, Inc. of Northwest Ohio, who has been named by Governor-elect Ted Strickland to be the new Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

From the Gongwer news release...

Since 1984, Martin served as the executive director of Sunshine Inc. of Northwest Ohio, a non-profit organization serving people with mental retardation and other development disabilities and their families.

In 1995 Martin started and became the executive director of MR/DD Solutions, a for-profit subsidiary of Sunshine Inc. that provides software to more than 100 agencies in 18 states. Additionally, Martin sits on the board of the Ohio Provider Resource Association and served as a representative on the Family Advisory Committee for the Ohio Department of MR/DD from 2003-2005.

“As a parent of a child with severe disabilities and a professional with thirty years of experience, I will work hard to understand and balance the perspectives of consumers, providers, and local, state and federal governmental agencies,” Martin said. “I am eager to start the important work ahead.”

Martin received a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Illinois State University and a Master’s degree in Community Psychology from Temple University. ODMR/DD oversees Ohio’s system of support and services for people with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities and their families.

iCommunicator: Assistive Technology for People who are Deaf

This is a video that provides a brief overview of iCommunicator, technology that helps people with hearing difficulties use a computer.

Ohio Gets Mental Health Parity - Kind Of

Everyone who has worked for years to get "mental health parity" passed into law in the state of Ohio deserves a round of applause. People had to work far too hard for far too long to get this thing through.

But, as often happens in the real world, you end up with half a loaf and a great name, and but not enough real change for your efforts. You have to take what you can get and vow to keep up the fight.

Starting March 1, 2007, Ohio has mental health parity. I'm just not sure what the coverage is on par with.

In a wonderfully understated article the Associated Press writes, "The bill is somewhat limited in scope," noting that only seven "biologically based mental illnesses" be covered, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The bill ended a battle "between mental health advocates and businesses that offer employees insurance plans." To give you some idea who won, provisions were eliminated that "called for mandates on alcohol and drug addiction coverage."

People with drug problems or alcoholism can be functional - at least for a while - and are a lot more likely to actually be employed. The employment rate for people with schizophrenia is well below that of the abysmal employment rate for most other disabilities. Most of the time, people have lost their jobs long before they receive an accurate diagnosis. Also, schizophrenia usually begins to show up in late teens to mid 20s - right about the time children are too old to be on their parents' health insurance plans.

So employers being obligated to pay for schizophrenia treatment is kind of like me being obligated to pay lifetime expenses for all of my children who live in Guam. It may sound a little more onerous than it really is.

Then there is this: "The bill allows insurance companies to opt out of the mental health mandate if they can demonstrate that it causes overall coverage costs to increase by more than 1 percent over a six-month period. "

So they can "opt out" of the mental health "mandate" if it causes them to lose money. I'm no lawyer, but that doesn't really sound like a "mandate" to me.

There is no doubt the new law will help people, and that is a good thing. I just hope it is a starting point and not the final say.

Clay Aiken? Good Call by Our President

There are times when you don't even need to pick up the local newspaper - you already know what is going to be in it. One of those times is at the end of any calendar year. The paper is rife with end of the year retrospectives or (worse) wish lists for the coming year. Feel free to ignore these episodes of lazy journalism.

I came across a look-back article by Phil Kloer of the Cox News Service entitled, "Could This Year Have Been Any Stupider? " (as an aside, the definition of "stupid" is "lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; dull," which could aptly be applied to the writings of Mr. Phil Kloer).

Sandwiched in between a lawmaker wanting to make red clay the official dirt of Georgia, and someone being awarded a patent for a cordless jump rope is this nugget of "stupidity":

September: Clay Aiken named to the President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities.

Actually, Mr. Kloer, naming Clay Aiken to this post is an excellent move by President Bush. If he had named Justin Guarini, Diana DiGarmo, or some other American Idol runner-up to the Commission, that may have been a questionable call. But Clay Aiken is a grand call. Quite simply, Mr. Kloer, you have no idea what you are talking (or writing) about.

In 2003, Mr. Aiken graduated from college with a degree in Special Education. He helped run YMCA camps for children and served as a substitute teacher for a classroom of students with autism. He also worked as a personal assistant to a young child with autism.

Think he's a bad choice? Well, he's no MaryMargaret Sharp-Pucci or Harris Hollin, that's for sure. Never heard of them? Well, how about any of the following: Ricardo Barraza Jr., Herb Bartlett, Valerie Billmire , Stephen Bird, James Boles, William Edwards, Casey O’Halloran , Linda Hampton Starnes, Brian Kelly, Stephanie Pershong Brown, Thomas James Reilly, Steven Rhatigan, Neil Romano, Steve Suroviec, William Tienken, Carmela Vargas Gonzales, or Sharman Word Dennis, M.Ed.

Not ringing any bells for you?

These are all of the current members of the President's Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities. I am sure they are all wonderful, qualified people who are dedicating their lives to the cause, and the committee is better for their works, but I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANY THEM. I realize that is probably to my discredit, but it is true.

I have heard, however, of Mr. Clay Aiken. And his mere presence on the committee and his ongoing commitment to the cause of children with disabilities will amplify the voices of these important and great - but far-from-famous- Americans.

Mr. Kloer, there may be many things about which to criticize the president - and many things that contributed to 2006 being (in your words) "stupid."

Naming Clay Aiken to the President's Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities is not one of them.