Congratulations to Amy Gorrell!
Amy was recently promoted to a new position at UCP Oregon, that of “Direct Support and Quality Assurance Manager.” Amy Gorrell has been with UCP since 2015, serving most recently as an Assistant Team Leader in UCP’s Supported Living Department, which is known as “UCP Foundations.” Before that, Amy served as a Support Specialist, and also worked one-on-one as a Personal Assistant. In her new position, Amy will be supervising UCP’s team of Substitute Support Professionals. Amy will also provide documentation support and training for UCP’s Supported Living Team. Amy will also coordinate UCP’s emergency pager system. About her new job, Amy says, “I’m very excited to work with our amazing team of Substitute Support Specialists. I’ve loved working with the Foundations Team these past 9 years, and I’m so happy I get the opportunity to contribute to the team in this new capacity.” Amy started in her new job on June 23rd. Make sure to congratulate Amy the next time you see her! What if you were confined to a state-run hospital against your will? A mere 25 years ago, this was the case for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
In 1999, two women (Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson) found themselves in this situation. As children, Lois and Elaine had both been placed in a state-run psychiatric institution—Lois at age 11, and Elaine at age 15. As adults, they wanted to move back into their own communities. But the state wouldn't let them. Over the years, Elaine Wilson found herself living in 36 different institutions. As she later said, "When I was in an institution, I didn't like myself. I was trapped. I thought, ‘Oh God, oh God, when am I ever going to leave here?’" Elaine and Lois out to an attorney named Sue Jamieson at Atlanta Legal. Sue helped them sue the state, and eventually the case went all the way to the Supreme Court. On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation and institutionalization of people who experience disabilities is unlawful discrimination. After the decision, both Lois and Elaine were able to live in the community. Lois Curtis became an artist and ran her own business. In 2011, she presented one of her paintings to President Obama in the Oval Office. Both Lois and Elaine have passed away, but their legacy and courage will live on forever. You can learn more about them, and the Olmstead case, here: https://www.aapd.com/statement-olmstead-25/. FROM THE DESK OF ANN COFFEY: |
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