A LETTER FROM DMH IGNORING OUR PLEAS!

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This letter is an example of how audistic hearing people are. It is very paternalizing and still ignorant of our rights in mental health services.

The Commission is not being honest about having a strong and unwavering interest in better serving all Missourians. The history of DMH has a proven POOR track record with the Deaf community at large.

They did have meeting last September as a tokenism. It is only a strategic way for them to appease us.

Even though, the Commission is taking a formal stand in support of a proposal frm DMH and the Deaf Community to pursue additional funding as pat of the FY2010 budget. It is a merely lip service knowing they will pass the buck to legislators.

They want to continue funding interpreting services at a half million dollars (recently $539,000.00 2008 funding). The interpreting services have failed to remedy the mental health problems of deaf community. There is no improvement and there is no documentation of how the deaf community are progressing from the emergency room to the outpatient services.

It is again the hearing people wanting to control the dollars.

They promised to have someone who is deaf be in the position of director. Yet, they completed the selection of a hearing interpreter from an agency that may have done business with DMH before the deadline was made. There is no proof that the job announcements had reached the deaf community from sea to shining sea. I have googled all over internet to no avail. Show me a job posting that has been advertised in well known deaf publications. Have you seen one? NAD? Deaf Life? other news media?

They want to monitor my progress through regular updates and reports provided by their staff. I find it interesting as it is known as "intelligence". Go ahead and monitor! DMH is still not doing its job right.

Why are they still wasting time and money on something that is not working?

WHY DO I GET PUNISHED FOR TELLING TRUTH?

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It is ironic how people are behaving towards me when I spoke the truth. I was referring to the poor delivery services provided by Missouri Department of Mental. I have been getting cold shoulders. I was frank and blunt about what I thought of Department of Mental Health.

I did get some nasty messages on my blog site that shows a proof that someone is angry at me for speaking out.

After 30 years, what can I do?

Do I continue to look the other way? NO

Do I just shut up and let sleeping dogs lie? NO

Am I scared of lawsuits? NO

Do I think that one moderator of listserve is right for booting me off "his" listserve for my truthful comments against DMH staff's patronizing comments? NO

How much longer do we need to deal with ongoing audism at DMH?

You can answer that question yourself and let me know what you think.

After 30 years and ongoing window dressings at DMH, the current administrator with no background in mental health is going out to set up "talk shows". Is that necessary?

What happened to the volumes of papers already compiled in the files at DMH?

What about the working models in South Carolina and Alabama?

What is their beef? More baloney and more money wasting time lost!!

The recent meeting that someone tried to swoon the public to one side is NOT working!

As usual, it is time for their heads to roll!

No one is doing anything about it.

It is a sad day for Missouri Deaf community!

Everyday is a sad day while the audists at DMH continue to screw things up!

We have tried to provide this solution for the last few years....they continue to IGNORE US!!!

The real solution is to amend the budget.

Cut half of $539,000.00 designated for interpreting services.

The real issue is hearing people are abusing the finances by earmarking all the dollars to hearing people themselves. This is viewed as audistic, patronizing, selfish ambition and dishonesty.

use roughly $269,500.00 for hiring deaf mental health professionals -

there could be at least 5 deaf mental health professionals.

station one in KC area

station second one in Hannibal area

station third one in Columbia/Fulton area

station fourth one in St. Louis area

station fifth one in Springfield area


then the system will be up and running for deaf clients to use mental health services provided by deaf professionals.

It is SOREly lacking!

So why do I get punished for telling truth?

Sincerely,

Paul

**message for interpreters - I am not attacking interpreters in this case. It is a common sense approach. Why do hearing people including interpreters continue to grab up jobs that deaf people can do? Money talks? Come on! Let deaf people run programs and services for the deaf themselves. We do not need hearing people or interpreters in some cases patronizing us! This is a real insult when you grab a deaf job. How do you sleep at night knowing you are NOT qualified for the job, yet you do it???

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COLUMBUS COLONY IS AN INTERESTING AND GOOD CONCEPT FOR DEAF HOUSING!

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While going through my album, I remembered these pictures as if it was yesterday. Nope, that was almost 30 years ago. It was interesting experience working with the groups and I am glad to see it still thriving today. Let me show you a few pictures. It was October 1980 when I was hired to manage Columbus Colony Housing. When I arrived on the colony, I was fascinated by the beauty of the Columbus Colony and its grounds. It has been administrated by Ohio School For the Deaf Alumni Association more than 100 years. One of the founders was also the founder of NAD (National Association of the Deaf ). His name was Robert McGregor. There is a lot of interesting stories coming out of Columbus Colony. You have to be there to know and understand. I am totally impressed with its progress to this day. You can visit its website at www.columbuscolony.org!

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I met this guy, Dr. James Flood. He has been teacher at Ohio School For the Deaf for many years and was part of involvement of housing for deaf. He wanted to do more research and he taught me a few pointers when I was young and I was the facility manager of Columbus Colony Housing. I thank him for inspiration and understanding of deaf housing.

There were also lot of wonderful people helping move Columbus Colony forward. You can see it on its website for current information. I am curious to know about the current state of deaf housing. The funds can be obtained through various means to facilitiate the needs of the deaf housing.

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The residents pulled a surprise on me when they asked me to come to discussion about tenant matters. They surprised me with birthday cake and celebration. I was flabbergasted and overwhelmed by their kindness. Being the facility manager was a positive experience working with senior citizens and providing social and assistance in their needs 7 days a week. The housing had cafeteria, laundry room, dining area,and other amenties. You can see it on the website. Contact them for more info!

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Previous management experience:

I did manage several properties for my grandmother while in high school. Then I was hired by City Equity Corporation in St. Louis to manage the Boulevard Apartments. The apartments were for people with disabilities. There were about 7 deaf living there at the time. Then I got hired by Columbus Colony to manage the Housing from October 1980 to July 1982. I was hired by Oxford Management to manage Foxwell Apartments in Baltimore, MD from August 1982 to July 1983. I was consulted a few times throughout the years. I am encouraging each state to consider deaf housing.

This may involve a lot of ideas and plans to prepare a deaf housing from start to finish. You, as a non-profit organization -(Section 501 (c)(3))-can qualify for funds from HUD (Housing and Urban Development) - Section 202 or Section 8 or other pertinent funding depending on what the Federal Register says. You can subsribe to read the Federal Register from government as to what programs are available for your group to request.

Most cases show they start with 40 units. In the past, it used to be over 100 or more, but due to problems, it was suggested to be at 40 units or less. There is more acceptable concept focused on group housing and they all be on one level. Various needs can be added depending on fundraising and how much the private groups can bring forth to the satisfication of local and government officials in granting permits for such operation. Each case is case by case so different needs are considered in each case.

All apartments are to be deaf friendly! Your landlord is responsible for providing safety in your apartment so there should be warning and visual lighting for smoke, fire, doorbell, security and protection alarms.

I am compiling data on deaf housing throughout the globe. I will appreciate your feedback to me about your hometown and are there any housing for deaf there? I am aware of several places such as:

*CHICAGO
*LAFAYETTE
*WESTERVILLE
*FULTON
*LOS ANGELES
*SEATTLE

and more....

Deaf Housing - a program that enables the deaf residents to socialize in an environment suitable to their liking in home, social and personal development. There are various groups from sheltered workshops to senior housing. It may include nursing care in some cases. The field is wide open with opportunities.

Please e-mail me info about your housing in any place so I can do more research and make housing available.

E-mail to Paul at his addy.

Thanks,

Paul

February 15, 2009

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AUDISM AT SOCIAL SERVICES...

The quotes in this picture were from TRULY DEDICATED DEAF ACTIVISTS - "The fundraising has existed for many years. But you have never alloted a fair share of the fund to the deaf community to fulfill their needs. A social service agency to be run by the deaf themselves!!!" The hearing man in that picture responded that "there were many agencies which can help you!!!"

There was another picture but the picture faded as there was hearing man speakng at annual fundraising banquet. A deaf citizen stood up when the hearing man said, "Thank you very much for your contributions....ANY QUESTIONS?" He said, "We, the deaf have contributed as much as anyone. How about establishing a social service agency to be administrated by the Deaf themselves???"

The hearing man replied, "Again, you bring up the question. There are many other agencies which can help the deaf. I don't know any other answer. Your question is sensible, but we have never received any complaint from national deaf associations and also state deaf associations. I hope they will get up and do something in accordance to your positive plea!!!

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Many years ago a friend passed me the papers when I was trying to set up social agency. He warned me that most of the money went to hearing people. I did not believe him. I wanted to follow what others did like GLAD of Los Angeles. He reminded me that this town does not make anything easier for deaf community. I looked at him and saw the papers he showed me. I remember when the papers were crisp, clean and new.

You can tell by that picture above that the paper had aged and yellowed. I have been in advocacy for more than 40 years. In those days, the word, "audism" was unheard of. What was the word we would have used in those days? Probably nothing and there were lack of education, motivation and sharing to grow.

That man is deceased now but I have not forgotten his comments and seriousness in combating audism. He fought hard with interpreters to make sure they adhere to code of ethics. Frankly in the old days, the interpreters tried to control the deaf consumers. He tried to get deaf leaders to work together only to face series of crab theory. He was frustrated and angry when nothing worked in his favor. He spent years and time trying. He gave up and left town.

Thinking back then, I remember it like yesterday about the struggles for access to communication and other programs. It was not an easy task, but still it burns in my mind about his comments when he showed me the papers.

That was so 20th century and now it is the 21st century! It is time to allocate some funds to enable the deaf to run agencies for advocacy, training and empowerment. Write letters to your state respresentatives or senators to educate them on how you would be better off having services geared to the needs of the deaf.

You do know for a fact that oralism is not the answer. It brings more problems and a false facade for the hearing professionals who profess to continue audism.

Unfortunately, there is not much we can do, but let the time take care of it. Eventualy things will turn out better and it is now the time to put aside any differences, anger, hatred, and any emotins.

So today does audism exist at social services?

What is your answer? I will be getting your responses to compile statistics.

Have a splendid weekend!

Paul