Timbers cares about residents

The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas, founded in 1972, prioritizes values such as respecting the dignity of those we serve through least-intrusive intervention, customer choice and satisfaction, and opportunities for independence. An article showed an extremely one-sided view of a story that inaccurately portrays the values that CPRF represents ("Dispute to cost woman her apartment," Oct. 18 Eagle).

Because of organizational policy and federal confidentiality regulations, we cannot discuss the details of the case of any individual resident, nor should we.

Since its founding, CPRF has assisted thousands of individuals with disabilities through a multitude of services — housing being one of many. Long before community integration was a serious consideration, CPRF opened the Timbers, apartments for people able to direct their own care and live independently. Timbers residents hire and monitor their own assistants and personal aides.

Contrary to the article, there are other housing options that may be better suited for some people with disabilities. I believe we have a moral and professional obligation to assist in finding the most appropriate accommodations for everyone we serve.

The Timbers has received numerous U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awards, including the secretary's commendation in 2000, property of the year in 2005, and superior community in 2004 and 2009. These achievements come from exceptional work from caring people. The company that manages the Timbers and our facilities staff are second to none and always go the extra mile.

As testimony to this, I have received calls and letters of appreciation from residents. Three of these letters came to me directly from the resident named in the article, thanking me for assisting with her concerns. More than half the residents have lived at the Timbers for five years or more, and many since the day it opened in 1979.

I also have many friends who reside at the Timbers whom I have known since I was a teenage volunteer more than 30 years ago. In addition, our staff volunteers countless hours to a variety of Timbers events throughout the year.

CPRF is very proud of Timbers' long and successful history and the staff associated with it.

PATRICK JONAS

President and CEO

Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas

Wichita