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This is an open letter to Mrs. Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Community and Social Services. Mrs. Pupatello,
on Thursday, April 28th, 2005 you visited the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia. You arrived without the
courtesy of notifying anyone of your visit. As I stated to you in a previous letter I would have been very
pleased to meet with you along with my sister, Susie Anderson, who is a resident at HRC and has been for
46 of her 52 years. That’s unfortunate. I’m sorry we missed you.
I just have a couple of things to say to you about this visit, Mrs. Pupatello. First of all, you spent just over
an hour there touring the “entire” facility. You also stated that you spoke to all 336 residents and many of
the staff. That’s an incredible amount of people to speak to in just over an hour. My question to you is –
what took place during your conversation with my sister, Susie Anderson, who lives in Apt 107 in McGhie 3
apartments. You see, I am somewhat perplexed because Susie has never been able to speak, nor does
she have the mental capacity to assimilate too much more than a two- to four-year old. This also holds true
for the majority if not all of her apartment mates. I met with Susie on Friday, April 29th and she couldn’t
speak to me – you must have quite a gift.
Mrs. Pupatello, you showed your true colours with your visit on Thursday. I have never been intentionally
rude to anyone so I apologize for what I am going to say. You, Mrs. Pupatello, display the very worst traits
of a politician. You are close-minded, follow only your own agenda and have only your best interests in
mind. To say that your visit only reconfirmed your decision to shut down HRC must mean that you care not
for the comfort and care that these residents currently receive and have always received. You may
continue to fight for the closure of HRC and the other two long-term care centres and I will continue my
fight – which I consider much more important. You see, you are fighting for a political mandate - I am
fighting for my sister’s life.
Thank you for your time.
Jeralyn (Anderson) Blackley