Avert Rolland Tragedy

People Worth Protecting

Background & Overview

• Seven Hills Pediatric Center »

• The De-Institualization Movement »

• Rolland Vs. Patrick Settlement Agreement »

• The Opposition By The Seven Hills Families »

• Our Outrage »

• Our Thanks »

Sign Our Petition

Please go to The Petition Site and sign our petition and show the world you care.

Here we have gathered together an index of relevant newspaper articles, legal documentation and other informational documentation. We hope that you may take the time to review the information presented on these pages so that you may further understand our struggle and why it is so important. Please note that articles and documentation that are not hosted within our website will open in a new window.

Article Listings

New nation-wide threat to choice by the disabled
Posted Feb. 25, 2011

YOUR VIEW: "Patrick Administration Lacks Compassion"
New Bedford Standard Times 8/28/2008

A Seven Hills parent argues that the Patrick Administration has replaced
compassion and common sense with ideology in its Rolland case actions.

Parents fear severely disabled daughter will be forced from nursing home
New Bedford Standard Times 8/23/2008

A couple fears for their daughter, whose move from Seven Hills Pediatric Center has been recommended to a federal judge by the Department of Mental Retardation.

Parents Shift Bid to Keep 31 In Home
Boston Globe 8/17/2008

The Globe’s Connie Paige reports on set-backs in the families’ struggle to protect their children.

Offering Up The Most Helpless
Lowell Sun 8/2/2008

A Seven Hills parent argues that the Commonwealth has offered up its most helpless individuals rather than protect them from a serious threat to their survival.

Parents Protest Plan To Move Severely Retarded Residents"
Boston Globe 7/24/2008

Article focusing on the Sheehan family, the Center for Public Representation,
and statements by Asst. Secretary Jean McGuire.

Disabled Residents Fighting Eviction
Lowell Sun 7/21/2008

Article written by Lowell Sun reporter Lisa Redmond focusing on Seven Hills resident Dawn Dean and her family.

"A Cry Over State's Plan For Patients"
Boston Globe 7/17/2008

Boston Globe writer Connie Paige writes about the struggle of our families against the Rolland Settlement Agreement.

Our Children Need Their Home Away From Home"
Boston Globe Letters 7/6/2008

Letters supporting our opposition to the Rolland Settlement Agreement which
appeared in the Boston Globe Ideas Section in response to Kevin Cullen’s June 30 column.

Groton 43 Fight Rolland Evications (PDF)
The COFAR Voice June 2008

The first article about the Seven Hills Pediatric Center families’ fight against the
Rolland Settlement Agreement. Coalition of Families and Advocates for the
Retarded is an advocacy group consisting of family members like those at Groton.

Making The Wrong Move
Boston Globe 6/30/2008

A column written about our situation, focusing on one of our families,
by Boston Globe opinion page writer Kevin Cullen.

Good Care Knows No Ideology
Boston Globe Editorial 6/25/2007

Written before the 2008 Rolland Settlement Agreement, this article
made the case that Massachusetts should have adopted more enlightened policies.

Documentation

Statement by Seven Hills at Groton Families Regarding the Rolland v. Patrick Settlement Agreement 6/19/2008 A statement approved by the Seven Hills Pediatric Center Family Council and signed by individual family members of residents expressing their dismay at the Rolland v. Patrick Settlement Agreement.

Groton 43 Opposition to Rolland v. Patrick Settlement (PDF) 5/12/2008 The legal opposition to the Settlement Agreement filed in federal court on behalf of the families of 43 Seven Hills Pediatric Center at Groton long term care patients.

Rolland vs. Cellucci Settlement (PDF File) 10/20/1999 The original Rolland case settlement, which guarantees that individuals will not be forced to move against their own wishes.