tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post4538150483979812050..comments2024-01-06T07:53:11.832-08:00Comments on disabled Christianity: Sherlock Holmes and the Happy HomeJeff McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-77724849485486075492015-02-28T08:32:59.399-08:002015-02-28T08:32:59.399-08:005. I think it is much more beneficial to think of ...5. I think it is much more beneficial to think of life in terms of comes interrelations rather than a striving to be "independent". This, in my opinion is the unique voice that Christianity can offer. L'Arche is an often cited example of what an attempt at a different way may look like. Notice that L'arche is still,in every measurable way, a group home. <br /><br />6. You mentioned class action suits as a potential way. That may be, but it is not the way of Jesus. We, as Christians, have become good at criticism without action. Jesus was good at criticism by action. I think Vanier is the same. His existence is a Christian protest. Practically speaking I think this looks like radical discipleship. We need to bring people in apart from the system. We need to be an inclusive community in the face of government action toward the same. You will never legislate the kingdom into being. That is the scandal of Jesus. jordan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16973391364710078800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-91811390503835977692015-02-27T09:25:04.001-08:002015-02-27T09:25:04.001-08:00The below are a series of comments from a friend a...The below are a series of comments from a friend and colleague for whom I have great respect, that were on Facebook regarding this posting. I thought I would include them here and then hopefully allow the discussion to continue.<br /><br />Jordan Varey Very interesting. As someone associated with group homes I can see some of the complaints but also think it is a bit one sided. Many group homes in my neck of the woods are working toward greater inclusion.<br /><br />Jeff McNair Agreed! This is based upon a SoCal context and is largely based upon real experience. It is also based on research I have recently done with a student indicating that the homes surveyed were pretty clueless about community integration as were the state regulating agencies. Couple that with the Baca and McNair article in Journal of Christian Institute in Disability called Almost Friends and once again for our context the story is not far from the truth.<br /><br />Jordan Varey Is there a way to do group homes ethically? This is an honest question. If not, what are the alternatives? Taking into account the number of people in group homes, the cost of care, current labor market realities, etc. has someone proposed a workable alternative that you are aware of?<br /><br />Jeff McNair That is the pivotal question I believe, Jordan. Does someone live in a community based residential facility or do they live in a home. If it is truly their home like my home is to me, then it belongs to me on some level, not to those who are running the group home business. In my home, I have personal property that is mine. I have freedom to move inside and outside and engage in recreational activities of my choosing. I have choices like the color of my walls, what hangs on them, who my roommate is, what my food is, what my appearance is and whether or not I go to church. I have a lot of input into my life rather than having my life dictated to me. To have that type of opportunity for people living in a community residential facility removes administrative convenience from the delivery of services. You kind of get the impression that those who run some facilities feel they are doing their residents a favor rather than providing them with a real home.<br />At least in America, I think a lot of the reason that homes are not really homes is the fear of litigation. If I keep you locked up with minimal contact with other people and the dangers of moving through the world, I do not expose myself to being taken to court, where you will definitely be treated as uncaring by those who have no idea of what it is like to live a regulated life. <br /><br />Perhaps the solution is to develop class action suits on the basis of failure to integrate. If that type of suit was juxtaposed against those which are filed against group home owners who desire to facilitate integration, then perhaps a middle ground might be found. Under our current system, without significant changes, it will be extremely difficult to have the integration piece in most homes. They fear it, don't know how to do it, and the State of California (in my case) is just as oblivious about what integration is. Maybe things are different in Canada, but that seems to be a significant part of the problem here.Jeff McNairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.com