Director's Message

March 16, 2007

To: All DHS employees

From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., Director

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
~Albert Einstein

This week I was privileged to participate in a ceremony here in the Barbara Roberts Human Services Building to dedicate a sculpture and plaque commemorating the more than 9,100 children and adults who at some time during their lives resided at Fairview Training Center. Fairview opened in December 1908 with 39 people as its first residents. By 1959 the institution's population exceeded 3,000. In February 2000, more than 90 years later, its last residents left.

The history of Fairview parallels the sometimes disturbing history of caring for people with developmental disabilities in Oregon and the United States. Fairview represents a time when there were no community supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and the sole choice for providing care was an institutional setting. Residents of Fairview had few rights and little control over their lives.

So why would we want to remember what so many consider a dark time in Oregon's history? Because it's not about remembering, it's about not forgetting those who lived there and the treatment they received.

The sculpture honoring Fairview's residents not only acknowledges their lives and experiences, but also serves as a reminder to those of us who care for people with developmental disabilities of why we're here and how important our work is to the people we serve. The plaque at the base of the sculpture includes an excerpt from former Governor Kitzhaber's 2002 apology on behalf of the people of Oregon to those residents of Fairview who suffered through inhumane treatment during their time with that institution.

More than 100 people attended this week's unveiling of the sculpture, which originally was presented to Fairview in 1963 by Oregon artist Tom Hardy. The unveiling coincided with Governor Kulongoski's declaration of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Oregon. This level of public recognition is, in itself, an example of how much has changed in the nearly 100 years since Fairview opened.

Today we know that individuals have a much better opportunity to lead independent, healthy and safe lives if they can remain in their communities where they have the supports they need to learn successful life skills, find and retain jobs, and stay involved with their families.

I strongly believe in providing services to Oregonians in the communities where they live, when at all possible. Not only the individuals being served, but also their families and communities, benefit from this approach.

As we work to create new opportunities for Oregonians, it is important that we remember the errors of the past so that we can strive to do better in the future. The sculpture that now stands in the Salem Human Services Building lobby provides that humbling reminder.

The next time you have an opportunity to visit the building, I invite you to take a few moments to view the sculpture and read the plaque honoring Fairview's former residents. We didn't do as well by them as they deserved, and we must be committed to doing better for the people we serve in the years ahead.

To provide feedback email: DHS.Directorsoffice@state.or.us

This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.