Ontario Government to Apologize for Abuse of Persons with Disabilities
What do I want to say about the settlement of Huronia?
Hallelujah! And the angels sang and danced because the Ontario government has recognized people for their institutionalized struggle and suffering. Over 142 years of silence, neglect, and abuse has finally been apologized for.
I was invited to the Manitoba premier of The Freedom Tour when I was young, girlish, and still distinctly wet behind the ears. It is a brilliant documentary about a road trip taken to all the provincial institutions in Western Canada. If you haven’t seen it, do it. It’s the absolute best argument against institutionalized care for people with developmental disabilities I’ve seen. Chills you to the marrow of your bones and makes one point startling clear: If you put a few hundred vulnerable people in one place, shut them up away from everyone who loves them, then you’ve created an instant recipe for abuse.
It’s a horror and a travesty that this still happens in Canada. #feelingcranky
But we’re moving forward! And that makes me happy. The center in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan is set to close by 2016.
People belong in communities, deserve respect, and to have the companionship of the people who love them best. Because that’s what we all deserve.
But I don’t need me to tell you that. If you read this blog then you already know. And you’re probably celebrating right along with me that people in Ontario have been given an important slice of the justice they so richly deserve for having their human rights stripped from them.
I’m so happy I could do a Carleton!
In the great words of Martin Luther King, “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person…is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
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I wont join you in the dance…because i dont dance…but I will definately be celebrating along side everyone who is for the closure of MDC…It will be a very Happy Day for Manitoban’s Living with Intellectual Disabilities …and for all the people who have been fighting for this for so long. Come on Manitoba…do what is right…end the fight and let the people living in MDC have their chance at living in the community…just like YOU and ME.
If this was facebook I’d triple like this comment Shirley!
I love the “Happy Dance ” lesson. Hopefully, I’ll have the moves down pat when the Gov. of Mb. apologizes for and closes MDC-the Mb. Developmental Centre.
You and me both! We can have an old fashioned dance off to see who’s the happiest 😉