To the editor:

On behalf of Parents as Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities (PAID) of Marion County, we would like to thank those who attended our public forum Feb. 17 in Hillsboro. Thank you to the City of Hillsboro for allowing us to use the a room in the city building. Everyone gave up the beautiful outdoors that evening to come and listen, and brought ideas to the table. It was a wonderful meeting of community members of our county.

There were parents who attended who had children with disabilities who were even as young as 2 years old. Parents are thinking ahead and their interest at this point in their children’s lives is a testament to Marion County. They plan to reside here for the long term and would like to see a future for their children with disabilities in our county.

Whether it be a job in the community, day services, or residential living, we are unsure at this point what those services would entail. Great ideas, visions, and success stories were shared that evening. Barriers to these ideas were shared as well.

We would like to extend an invitation to a second public forum to continue discussion related to these ideas. Parents, educators, as well as community members and other interested individuals are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will be at 7 to 9 p.m. March 31 in the west room of the Hillsboro City Building. Refreshments will be provided.

Heather Vinduska
Jane Wiens
PAID of Marion County