Laureen Murphy
on behalf of Brent Beaton and his siblings
Dear Editor,
I was pleased to see two recent articles in The Oran referencing living arrangements for persons with intellectual disabilities. The HomeShare program is the one I wish to address. I have followed its development and various media conferences introducing its arrival in Nova Scotia. I can only hope that the plan will be as successful as outlined in the July 2nd article. As stated, the program is part of the Human Rights Remedy, moving people out of institutions and into smaller homes within the community.
From the information I read, choice is a main factor in decision making for living arrangements. It also states in the FAQ section of the HomeShare site that “Small Option Homes will continue to be an option for DSP participants. Small Option Homes provide residential home support for three to four participants with varying types of disabilities.”
The experience of our family was in total contrast to what is being promoted in the Human Rights Remedy as it moves into its fourth year of implementation. Our brother Brent lived in a Small Option Home, Koster Huis, for over 20 years. Mabou had become his community.
I am his Substitute Decision Maker, giving me legal authority over his health decisions and living arrangements. My role, however, was ignored and undermined by the administrator of Koster Huis Simone Van Zutphen, and the Chair of the Board of Directors, Michael Coady as well as the CEOs, Stephen Doiron and Frank Nelson.
Unfortunately, it was obvious that a calculated plan was put in place to rid the home of Brent even though an assessment by his Care Coordinator deemed otherwise. He was abandoned at the Inverness Hospital on December 22nd. On December 23rd when it was determined he did not require any medical attention, the administrator refused to take him back home. Brent spent 83 days in hospital. My only choice was to have him cared for in a nursing home.
To clarify, I had written an email to the CEO on December 20th and asked if as a family we could meet in January to discuss a plan for Brent. It was ignored. I can only assume that there is very little oversight from the board and the CEO as to how Koster Huis is managed.
I wrote numerous emails to the administrator, the chair of the board and all board members who are local councillors, as well as CAO Keith Mac Donald. Not one person stood up for Brent. I have yet to hear from any of those people with an explanation as to why Brent was treated the way he was. Finally, an independent review was initiated. We are still awaiting the findings. As a family the wound of what happened to Brent at Christmas has not healed. We are expecting disciplinary action, not just “going forward” recommendations.
Brent is doing well at the RK MacDonald Nursing Home, but I can’t help but think he moved into an institution, the very opposite of what the Human Rights Remedy stands for, because they refused to look after him in his home of over 20 years.
In closing, for those of us who have loved ones who may need care in a HomeShare situation, be very cautious. Appearances can be deceiving. You only need to look to British Columbia to see examples of abuse. The case of Florence Girard is a shocking example.