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Mi <br />17J <br />s <br />ikuth Echanes informed the Board that in addition to raising <br />10 children of her own, she has taken care of 57 foster children <br />over lithe years. Mrs. Echanes noted that she was asked some years <br />back lif she wished to take on a Down's Syndrome child. She <br />accepted the child and when he was 2 years old went to HRS to see <br />if there was a school for him to go to, but was told there were <br />none.', She then wrote to Senator Ted Kennedy about the problem, <br />and as the years have gone by, our government has accepted these <br />people and insisted they be taken care of from the time they are <br />born until they are 18. Mrs. Echanes continued that she took <br />care I!of this child until 1982, when she was 72 years old, at <br />which' time she asked the state if she could adopt him, which she <br />was allowed to do. He has since graduated this year from the <br />special school in Fort Pierce with honors and has brought home <br />medals from the Special Olympics.' She noted that her point is <br />that the group home was a salvation for her since she will be 79 <br />next month, and if her child cannot go into this group home, he <br />has no place to go. She then introduced her son, John, who stood <br />up amidst much applause. <br />Nancy Bryant, president of the Mental Health Association, <br />advised that the DHRS is working closely with them in educating <br />the public on what these group homes are, and she has brochures <br />and video presentations available on the subject of group homes. <br />A copy of the brochure is on file in the Office of Clerk to the <br />Board. <br />,Beverly Earl, teacher at the Sheltered Workshop, commented <br />that 'at one time she knew this population existed, but did not <br />want,to recognize it. She now works with them, and the last <br />threei years have been a beautiful experience for her. She also <br />has had the experience of supervising the group home for ladies. <br />Ms. arl noted that she refers to the ladies as her children <br />despite their ages, and described how she takes them shopping, to <br />the t ank, to the art gallery, the theatre, and has never had a <br />problem with them; they are a family oriented group. <br />SES 1 <br />1957 31 KOOK 67s PACE211-, <br />