Regarding Darlene Gavron Stevens’ “Summit shuns plans for housing disabled” (MetroSouthwest, Dec. 17):
As an educator of teenagers with disabilities who face the possibility of living in a group home someday, I was disturbed to read that the village of Summit is denying the renovation of a house to provide a home for disabled individuals.
I was particularly disgusted with the comment from resident Anne Oberbeck. She claims to be “the last person who would be against someone who is disabled. . . . I feel sorry for them . . . but (the agency) has picked the wrong neighborhood.”
Well, these individuals do not need nor want her pity. They need support and compassion. Individuals with disabilities, whether they be mental or physical, have much to offer the community. People should take the time to learn about the disabled and what the agency is about. By refusing to let them into their neighbor-hood, they are practicing blatant discrimination.
I find it to be very sad that a community would deny these individuals the opportunity for a better life. Many of these individuals are either without a family, or their family members can no longer take care of them. These group homes offer disabled individuals the opportunity for a family-like environment while encouraging them to be as independent as possible.
The arguments that the people of Summit have presented against the group home are without merit. These individuals are not criminals and do not invite crime into the community. I also fail to see how their presence will lower the value of anyone’s property. These arguments are just excuses to cover fear and ignorance.
If Summit residents are so concerned about money, they should embrace these group homes. They are much cheaper than institutionalizing disabled individuals.
