Interface Summer 2009
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Summer 2009 A Place Relationships Where Anything Is Possible Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Summer 2009 Innerthoughts 11th Circuit Rules Thinking of Warren Doctors Don’t Trump State Our Motto on Medicaid Care for Children The name Interface was chosen for this publication 1 with Disabilities because it reflects our purpose, to create a common boundary where diverse groups interact. Interface 9 represents our effort to bring together different groups Insurance for the benefit of Oklahomans with developmental disabilities. We hope to provide information, encour Mandates Compassion, agement and insight. Autism Treatments Please send your ideas Fail to Pass Oklahoma Friendship and for news and features to: Legislature Sheree Powell/WriterEditor Longevity Developmental Disabilities Services Division 8 A Good Measure of Success Community and Provider Relations 13 P.O. Box 25352 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 (405) 5214972 Best of the Best DDSD In Direct Support Nicholson Receives Award A Dream Come True Services Honored for Contributions to College 6 3 of Allied Health Residents of a Group Home 7 in Vinita Display their Governor’s CPR Certificates Disability Employment Health and Human 9 Awards Showcase Services Rescinds Medicaid Regulations Imagining Everest INTERFACE NEWSLETTER Oklahoma’s Reason to Brag 10 4 Affecting Case James M. Nicholson .......... Division Director of Management Waiting and Hoping ..................................................Developmental Disabilities DDSD Employees Win 10 11 ..................................................Services Division Advocacy Awards Sheree Powell .............. WriterEditor Oklahoma Documentary DDSD Fiscal Year 2010 5 Danny Phillips .............. Graphic Artist on Developmental Budget Outlook 12 Caroline Miller / Sheree Powell .. Photographer (unless otherwise noted) Quality Awards Disabilities Elves Work Year Round Best of the Best History to Air on OETA S09455 OKDHS Issued 10/09 to Make Christmas Special 6 12 This publication is authorized by the Oklahoma Commission for DDSD Clients for Human Services in accordance with state and federal State Legislative News 16 regulations and printed by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services at a cost of $5,577.00 for 9,295 copies. 14 Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division INTERFACE INNERTHOUGHTS Thinking of Warren arren Edds, one of the first People you would never expect Wselfadvocates I met after revealed underlying wounds that coming to DDSD in 1988, died on they continued to struggle with. June 22 at his home in Enid. I had That afternoon, Warren opened the not talked to Warren in a number of way for many selfadvocates to years, but I used to see him honestly share and thus lighten their frequently at Oklahoma People burdens. First meetings, rallies, and other After leaving Enid State School as events. He was very active in the an adult, Warren became a well selfadvocacy movement and was known figure in that community. not bashful about making sure his He established relationships with voice and opinion were heard. everyone he came in contact with The most memorable talk we had from mayors and city councilmen to James Nicholson was at a Governor’s Conference in several generations of workers at the Tulsa many years ago. I was scheduled to do a break local McDonald’s restaurant. When the city dedicated out session called “A Conversation with Jim a new bridge many years ago, Warren was invited to be Nicholson,” targeted towards selfadvocates. As the the first to officially cross it in his famous three start time approached, I was surprised at the large wheeled cycle. number of people who were in attendance. The Warren also went on to enjoy a rewarding career topics discussed in these sessions usually centered on volunteering as a camera operator for the Enid public service delivery concerns—good and bad providers or access television station. The Enid News and Eagle staff, not being allowed enough freedom of choice, printed a wonderful article marking his passing, not being listened to, etc. “Death of Warren Edds has an impact on community.” During this session, Warren stood and began As I read it, I remembered our session in Tulsa and the talking about his life experiences and how they barriers Warren had overcome to become the person affected him. Everyone who knew Warren knew him everyone remembered as having a “cheery smile and as a very happy guy who always had a smile on his a kind heart.” Great success doesn’t come easy, and it face. But this was a different Warren. He talked certainly didn’t for Warren. about his mother leaving him as a small child at Enid You can see a video clip of Warren that appears in State School and how it pained him to think about the documentary “Living in the Freedom World” at: being unwanted and abandoned. Tears came to his http://www.mnddc.org/parallels2/one/video/video76b eyes as he struggled to come to grips with memories freedomworld.html. He was a star on both sides of of many decades past. He created one of those the camera. moments for which there is no real response possible other than a thoughtful, respectful silence and a touch on the shoulder. When Warren finished and sat down, other self advocates stood and talked about their life James M. Nicholson, Director, Developmental Disabilities Services Division experiences and the incidents that caused them pain. Oklahoma Department of Human Services 1 Developmental Disabilities Services Division INTERFACE Death of Warren Edds has an impact on community By Robert Barron, Staff Writer, Enid News and Eagle (reprinted from June 24, 2009) arren Edds never held a public Edds volunteered at PEGASYS, Enid’s The Enid News & Eagle Web site Woffice. He never was successful publicaccess television station, for 26 received a number of postings Tuesday after in business, and there are no statues of him years, regularly assisting with camera work. word of Edds’ death became known. in town. He also was known for his support for “Enid has lost a great man, a faithful But everybody knew Edds, and everyone Oklahoma State University athletics. friend and a dedicated volunteer. Warren was used to seeing him ride his three “He always had something positive to say will truly be missed,” said Lindy Chambers, wheeled cycle around town. about everyone,” said Wendy Quarles, executive director of Main Street Enid. His death at age 59 has had an impact in PEGASYS executive director and a friend Another stated, “Warren will be missed. Enid on people who knew him or even just of Edds. He always said hello to anyone that would knew who he was. Edds could be seen frequently around listen. OSU has lost a fan.” Edds was supposed to wear oxygen at all town riding an adult tricycle donated to People who saw him casually said it was a times since becoming ill with pneumonia in him by local business and groups, or at pleasure to know him, that he always put a May. He had not been seen for two or three McDonald’s at Maine and Van Buren smile on their face. days when his body was found by a engaging people in a spirited conversation Mayor John Criner said Edds was a good neighbor inside his apartment about 8 p.m. about OSU athletics. resident and encouraged him and the city Monday, June 22. (Enid Police Department Edds was a charter member and first commission. He went to the Public Library is investigating it as an unattended death president of the Yes We Can Civitan of Enid and Garfield County daily to and said there is nothing suspicious.) Club, which consisted largely of people remain informed on city matters. When the His funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at with special needs. He originated the city dedicated a new bridge on West Davis Park Christian Church with the Rev. name of the club and was nominated as Randolph in 2007, Edds was the first to Alan Seibel officiating. Burial will follow at regional director of Civitans for ride across on his bicycle. Enid State School under the direction of Oklahoma and Arkansas. He also was the Molly Helm, director of communications BrownCummings Funeral Home. An club’s highest point producer, earning the and marketing for Autry Technology account has been set up at Central National name “Mr. 400.” Edds scheduled regular Center, recalled being a camp counselor at Bank for funeral expenses. The funeral programs on PEGASYS, and the club Campfire Camp in high school when some home has asked friends for anecdotes to use established the “Chiller Challenge” of the clients at Sunnyside Nursing Home in his obituary. competition, in which people jump into came for the day. Warren’s nickname was Those stories may be sent to familyfirst freezing water to raise money for the Jabber as was Helm’s, and she said they @browncummings.com. Special Olympics program. Edds was immediately struck up a friendship. Edds was born Aug. 19, 1949, to Thomas 1981 Special Olympian of the Year. “Years later, it has been especially heart R. and Cheryl Holland Edds. He lived at “It’s people with special needs saying, warming to see him working the cameras Enid State School until earning his statute ‘We can do that,’” said Kathy Eck, a for PEGASYS, doing something he of independent living. He was a member of sponsor of the club. loved,” Helm said. “His cheery smile and Davis Park Christian Church since 1975. “He was an icon in this town. Even if his kind heart will be missed.” He is survived by his father, who lives in people didn’t know his name, they knew — This article has been reprinted Florida; brother Steve Smith, of Broken him because of him riding all over the with permission from the Arrow; sister Sandy Brown, of Ohio; and community on his tricycle with the orange Enid News and Eagle.