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RE: HURONIA CLOSING
October 10, 2004
The Honorable Sandra Pupatello
Minister of Community and Social Services
6th Floor, Hepburn Block
80 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1E9
Dear Minister,
I am writing on behalf of my "mentally retarded" brother Christopher, he lives in the Huronia Regional
Centre just outside Orillia and has been there since he was 5. We will be 50 on his next birthday.
If he could write or speak or even use sign language (he can not do any of these) he would tell you that he
is afraid your ministry has made a terrible mistake by opting to close his centre, his home, and move him
out into the community that he has not known since he left our home. He would tell you how much he
adores his primary worker Gail who came in on her day off to meet with his mother, brother and treatment
team, that looks after him, at his annual review. He would be grateful to the caregivers that give him his
shower and dry him off. He would be appreciative of the help he receives getting dressed and groomed
not to mention the supervised toileting he requires. He would tell you he has few pleasures but looks
forward to his swimming time at the pool 3 times a week. He would ell you how much he relies on the nurse
and consulting doctor that monitor his mental and physical health, his medication, his cholesterol, his
eyesight, and his diet. He would tell you that he is comfortable with the daily routine and looks forward to
the activities that are provided by the staff there. His daily walks on the beautiful and private grounds, his
job of taking the garbage out, the rides around the grounds and the outings provided by the recreational
staff who all know him well and, judging by their reaction when I am there, care for him as well.
In short he lives in a segregated but rich community that allows him to live his life in dignity and where all
all of his many needs are met. He knows the staff and they know him.
Make no mistake, the level of care my brother and his peers need is incredibly high. I can't imagine his
extraordinary needs would be met with the patience, consistency, and care he receives now. A move to an
alien community with all new caregivers, and a new complicated routine would be a cruel and poorly
thought out move. Perhaps if when he was 5 this community service was available as it is now it would
have been better for my brother but it wasn't. There are only a few of these aging very high maintenance
residents left and we need to continue to offer them this comprehensive support until they die.
I would like to invite the minister to come and meet my brother. I would be happy to pick her up and take
her to see him, the staff, and the small community where he lives. I know she would understand
immediately the concerns and points I am raising in this letter.
I have enclosed a copy of a letter my sister wrote to you as well. I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
James "Hamish" White