Jan 21, 2008 6:19 am US/Eastern
Families Upset Over Rosewood's Closing
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
There are many unhappy family members of patients at the Rosewood Center for the Developmentally Disabled after Governor O'Malley announced it would soon close.
Governor Martin O'Malley announced last week that the Rosewood Center for the Developmentally Disabled in Owings Mills would soon be closing its doors.
Mary Bubala reports there are many unhappy family members of patients at Rosewood despite advocates for the developmentally disabled saying closing the facility is what's best.
A parade of family members entered Rosewood looking for answers.
Rosewood has been home to the state's developmentally disabled for more than 100 years, but inspections found neglect and dangerous conditions at the center.
Joan Druso was upset to hear that the governor decided it was time to close the outdated facility.
"I hear all these complaints, but I haven't had any complaints, not in the last four years. And I don't know where they are coming up with this," said Druso.
Like many at Rosewood, Druso came to meet with facility managers because she's concerned about what will happen to her brother.
"I'm just trying to make sure he gets the best care, and I'm hoping at this meeting that a lot of other relatives of clients that are here will band together and make sure they get the proper care," said Druso.
Some of the residents of Rosewood were court committed, others taken there by their families.
Though state recommendations have found most of the residents at Rosewood can be moved to community living facilities, family members disagree.
"For some of these children that might work, but for the ones like mine that are severely retarded, that's not going to work for people like that," said John Snyder.
"He's benefiting tremendously, and we're very happy with him here. If he goes to a group home, he won't last an hour," said Mary Hom.
But state officials say great care will be taken to make sure residents have a quality placement.
Some 500 employees are also upset about the closing.
The governor says they'll work with union leaders to help find them new jobs.
It's expected it will take at least 18 months to relocate all of the Rosewood residents.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments