GUEST OPINIONS

Families thank staff of state center in Boulder

Tribune Staff

Editor’s note: Parents and relatives of clients at the Montana Developmental Center in Boulder sent notes to the Tribune thanking the center staff for caring for their loved ones. The 2015 Legislature passed a bill to close the center. We run excerpts from several letters here.

They saved her life

There is no way to thank MDC staff enough for their care of our children, for their years of dedication to them. This goes for those working directly with our children and for the support staff, for example, those preparing all those good meals for them, groundskeepers and others.

You took up the struggle when we parents could no longer manage the day-to-day care of a person whose behavior had become a danger to themselves, to us, to the community.

I hope you will take great satisfaction and pride in how much you have accomplished, how many persons became successful in group home placements because of your work, how many have lived for years in a safe, attentive environment. How do I thank those who have saved Lily’s life, literally? It’s impossible.

Your patience in working with Lily to change her behaviors (for example, to get her to walk with you) is extraordinary, heroic. You have had to deal with mind-numbing repetition. You had to deal with her frantic anxiety.

The great testament to you is that Lily has never tried to leave with us when we have visited, has never tried to squeeze out the door with us. And you all know she could try. That means she is happy to stay with you and this is a great comfort to us.

I like the Jewish saying, “When you save a life, you save the world.” Each one of you has done that. You, like Mother Teresa, have cared for those feared, shunned and abandoned by society.

I hope you will take great pride in your accomplishments; may the remembered smiles of our children be a joy to you always!

— Anna Studencki and Robert Elder,

Great Falls

Excellent staff

After a failed community placement where my son deteriorated to the point where he never laughed, never smiled, never left his room, had trouble breathing and walking, I finally was able to get Shawn to you. You gave Shawn back his life and you gave me back my son.

You persisted during the days, weeks, months and years it took to bring him to a place where he works proudly, participates in activities and is physically healthy. You helped him to be the best he can be.

You understood that he needed limits, and, for his sake, you stuck to them. The happiest, healthiest days of his life (and certainly of mine) have been the many days he’s lived at MDC. MDC has been the only place my son has thrived as an adult.

I will always be thankful to you for the wonderful years you gave to Shawn, and the peace of mind you gave to his entire family.

— Carol Dailey, Bozeman

Very special people

Thank you so much for the guidance, help and understanding that my son, Cody Danielson, has received from all past and present staff of MDC. With the skills he has learned from all involved in his care, he is much better able to cope and succeed than when he first arrived at MDC. I feel that MDC has saved his life, and that is due to the professionals who have helped him, the entire staff. Thank you so much.

I apologize for the stupidity of the state Legislature, i.e. Senate Bill 411, where they know not what damage this bill has caused and will continue to cause. I hope the future will be blessed for all of you. You are all very special people.

— Stan Danielson, Antelope