Demonstration Planned at Pappas Rehab to Defend Services for Disabled Children

Protest at Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children

On June 25, caregivers and supporters of the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children will gather for a protest to voice their opposition to the Department of Public Health's (DPH) ongoing efforts to discharge some of the state's most vulnerable disabled children. This demonstration will take place outside the Congregational Church of Canton, highlighting concerns over how the DPH has been handling patient admissions and discharges.

The protest is organized in response to growing frustrations among staff, parents, and community members regarding the discharge practices currently in effect. It has been reported that while the DPH is moving forward with discharges, the hospital is not admitting new patients, which raises serious concerns about the care provided to those in urgent need.

Michelle Sweeney, the Supervisor of Physical Therapy at Pappas, elaborated on the situation, stating, "We continue to discharge our patients to places where they may not receive the same high level of care they get here at Pappas. Despite our clinical team's approval for multiple new admissions, we are being obstructed from bringing these children into our program. This inability to admit new patients is alarming, especially knowing that around 100 children are currently stuck in acute care hospitals awaiting appropriate long-term care."

Educators and advocates from Pappas, including Caitlin Horrigan, a teacher at the facility, echoed the sentiment of urgency and injustice surrounding the current patient care circumstances. Horrigan expressed, "DPH is proceeding with their plans, which could lead to a detrimental discharge of students from our care despite calls to halt these actions from Governor Healey. This facility does more than provide mere medical assistance; it fosters a space where children can learn, heal, and grow. We refuse to stand idle as these students are sidelined and pushed away from the care they urgently require."

The staff and community members see the DPH's actions as a precursor to a possible shutdown of the facility—a concern heightened by Governor Healey's ambiguous plans for Pappas, which were first presented earlier this year. Following numerous petitions that garnered thousands of signatures against the proposed closure, a working group was formed to evaluate the needs of children receiving care at Pappas, pausing the closure plan.

Despite this pause, reports show that discharges have not ceased, and efforts to admit new patients remain stagnant. Activists believe that the children being discharged are often those who lack parental advocacy, leaving them vulnerable to being placed in environments where their care cannot be guaranteed at the same level provided by Pappas.

Background information reveals that established in 1904 on a sprawling 160-acre campus, Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital offers a range of comprehensive medical and rehabilitative services tailored for children aged 7 to 22 with multiple disabilities. Thanks to a dedicated team experienced in providing high-quality care, Pappas has been at the forefront of supporting these children in achieving independence and enhancing their overall quality of life. The recent push for discharges and restrictions on admissions pose a severe threat to this vital institution.

The upcoming protest serves as a rallying call for the community and stakeholders to stand united in defense of the exclusive care provided at Pappas. With the future of many disabled children hanging in the balance, advocates are calling for immediate attention to ensure that the facility can continue providing its essential services without interruption. The protest is not just a stand against these administrative decisions but a fight to advocate for children who depend on Pappas for specialized care.

As the demonstration approaches, the stakes are high. The Pappas community remains hopeful for a resolution that will secure the facility’s operation and ensure the safety and well-being of its young patients.