Here's a list of the celebrations planned from
All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD). In the picture are Sue Jamieson (left), the attorney in the Olmstead case, and Elaine Wilson (center) and Lois Curtis (right), who had spent the majority of their lives in mental institutions and sought to live in the community. Both have had much success living in the community, reconnecting with family, cooking, shopping and living enjoyable lives. Curtis even became a folk artist, with several gallery shows to her credit.
The Tubman African American Museum recognized Curtis for her advocacy on behalf of others since living in the community. After receiving the “Act of Courage Award," Curtis said, "I want to tell everybody, so people can get out."
· Bainbridge, GA celebration: This celebration will be on June 16th at the Willis Park Gazebo from 1-2 p.m. The event will include a Long Road Home march, a prayer and pledge, music, a discussion regarding life in a nursing facility vs. life in the community, and a candlelight vigil.
· Savannah, GA celebration: This event will occur on June 17th at Georgia Regional Hospital, 1915 Eisenhower Drive, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lynette Bragg will moderate and introduce speakers, including Sue Jamieson (Atlanta Legal Aid Society, and Olmstead plaintiffs’ attorney), Denise McClain (Division Olmstead Coordinator, Case Expediter Coordinator, and Interstate Compact Coordinator), and Catherine Ivy (DCH Long Term Care Director).
· Columbus, GA celebration: This event will occur on June 18th at the Government Center Plaza at 11 a.m. This event is sponsored by the Columbus State University Office of Disability Services, Muscogee County Navigator Team, and the Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities.
· Milledgeville, GA celebration: This event will occur on June 19th at Central State Hospital in the Auditorium from 2-5 p.m. The event will include speakers, entertainment, and a dance and DJ. This event is sponsored by the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network.
· Atlanta/Decatur, GA celebration: There will be two Atlanta area events, both on June 21st. The first will take place in Downtown Decatur in the Decatur Square Bandstand from 1-2:30 p.m. This event will include speakers and entertainment. The second event will be held at Georgia Regional Hospital, 3073 Panthersville, Rd. from 4-5:30 p.m. The event will include speakers, entertainment, and art by Lois Curtis.
· Capitol celebration: The final event will be held on June 22nd at the State Capitol of Georgia. The event will include several speakers, including: Representative John Lewis (D-GA); Senator Nan Orrock (State Senator, District 36); Sue Jamieson (Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Olmstead plaintiff’s attorney); Lois Curtis (artist, self advocate, and Olmstead plaintiff); Ellen Yeager (Mental Health America); Cynthia Wainscott (Mental Health America); and Sherrie Jenkins-Tucker (Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network). The event will include entertainment and an Artists’ Gallery featuring the works of individuals with disabilities. On display will also be the Mental Health Bell, which was cast from shackles that once bound people with mental illness living in asylums. We will invite individuals in the crowd to take the podium, tell their stories, and ring the bell of freedom.
The
Atlanta Legal Aid Society's Web site has in-depth information about the Olmstead case, which resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court decision that said "the State of Georgia can no longer provide disability services to a mentally or physically disabled person in an institutional setting if he or she could be served in a more integrated, community-based setting." After 5 years of litigation, the Supreme Court ruled "that the Americans with Disabilities Act required that states place persons with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their disability. The case has been called the Brown v. Board of Education case for persons with disabilities."
Here's a list of the celebrations planned from All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD). In the picture are Sue Jamieson (left), the attorney in the Olmstead case, and Elaine Wilson (center) and Lois Curtis (right), who had spent the majority of their lives in mental institutions and sought to live in the community. Both have had much success living in the community, reconnecting with family, cooking, shopping and living enjoyable lives. Curtis even became a folk artist, with several gallery shows to her credit. The Tubman African American Museum recognized Curtis for her advocacy on behalf of others since living in the community. After receiving the “Act of Courage Award," Curtis said, "I want to tell everybody, so people can get out."
