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VOR letter in support of Fircrest action

June 2004

Dear Members, Advocates, and Friends:

VOR frequently is involved in nationally significant legal battles.  The legal case brought by families of people with mental retardation at Fircrest School, a residential center in the State of Washington, is one such case. 

“This is a protest taking place just a few blocks from where my daughter lives in Seattle.  Fircrest School is where my son may have gone had I stayed in Seattle. They have actually been moving residents out without parental permission.” – LaRa Gibson, VOR Member, State of Virginia

 The Fircrest case in the State of Washington is nationally significant because -
 

ü      Families initiated this lawsuit to save the facility by challenging the State’s effort to close Fircrest through the budget process, rather than the more open and democratic legislative process. The case decision will be precedent setting and of value to families across the country.

ü      In this litigation the national community versus institution debate is raised. VOR is uniquely qualified to speak up for choice in this case. This will be another opportunity to test Olmstead and assert family choice.

ü      VOR’s voice is needed. The Washington Protection and Advocacy System (P&A), a federally funded organization, is using your tax dollars to challenge the Fircrest families’ right to choose Fircrest. VOR needs to counter this challenge.

For these reasons, VOR has applied to the court to participate as Amicus Curiae (friend of the court).  VOR is counting on your donations to ensure the decision in this and other nationally significant cases support all residential options.  We do not receive any government grants like the P&A.  All donations, of any size, make a difference.  Thank you in advance for your contributions.

Sincerely,

Tamie Hopp

Executive Director

 

VOR * 836 S. Arlington Heights Rd., #351 * Elk Grove Village, Illinois * 60007

877-399-4VOR ph. * 847-253-0675 fax * tamie327@hotmail.com