November 12, 2001

Mr. Robert Wood
President, FORConn

Dear Bob,

I have just seen the FORConn Website and congratulate you on FORConn's appearance on this new communications network. What a long way we have come since a few of us got together in athe early 1980s and decided to form a new parent advocacy group!

Our organization was going to be dedicated to the improvement of services for all persons with mental retardation -- to develop new services and supports so that "our people" could grow and reach their optimum development in the community, to retain the regional center and training schools for those personss who would benefit more in that kind of setting, to develop a better understanding of mental retardation by the general public and create a climate of acceptance for our people, and to help families find and make good use of the resources available to them.

Most of all, we felt that every person with mental retardation is unique, and that every family is entitled to have its own unique vision for the future of its retarded familiy members. Although almost all of the founding parents had children who were living in the community and who wanted to succeed there, we realized that other parents, whose children were generally much more handicapped than ours, had a right to a different vision. Respect and tolerance for differing viewpoints were going to be the hallmarks of our organization.

I am especially pleased with the recent work of FORConn members on the Registry Committee, on the Waiting List Committee, and in proposing the new language related to guardianship. You are truly living up to our original ideals.

Thank you for working so effectively for all of our Connecticut citizens with mental retardation.

Sincerely Yours,

Evelyn Kennedy