
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991                   TAG: 9104190698
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE HELPLESS

I WAS APPALLED to read Mike Hudson's article April 7 on Shirley Ryan. As the parent of a child with a disability, this is one of my worst nightmares come true.

I worry about what will happen to my son when my husband and I can no longer care for him. I worry about who will keep a check on those who care for him because, even though there are good homes for the disabled to live in, there will always be those who take advantage of any situation.

My child and many others like him cannot tell people what is happening to them, leaving them easy prey to those who have no scruples or conscience.

I'm not sure what the solution is, but I do feel there should be stricter controls on adult homes and other homes used by agencies to house the elderly and disabled. We also need more people checking on these homes.

SANDRA D. PHILLIPS\ ROANOKE

by CNB