Private Care for the Retarded

As a parent of a retarded child in Lanterman State Hospital, I would like to thank Hurst for his well-researched, informative series. We have always believed our daughter received excellent care there. Many of the staff on her ward have been there 8 to 10 years and longer, which indicates to me that working conditions must be decent. In addition, our daughter is happy and well cared for and healthy.

They take her outings, buy her new clothes (with her SSI money), and take pictures of her various activities. They take great pride in her ward, painting and wallpapering during their off-hours and are now beginning a parents’ group.

But each year at our annual evaluation, the subject of community care comes up. We have always believed she is not a good candidate for this as she is very low functioning (about 3-year-old motor IQ--and profoundly deaf). After reading Hurst’s descriptions of community placement, which confirms what we had already heard, we shall continue to hold out strongly for keeping her where she is indeed “blossoming.”

CLAIRE MARMION

Long Beach