To the Editor:

To automatically assume that a group home for mentally and physically challenged people is a detriment to a neighborhood is a prejudice as mean as any other.

I personally work in a group home in another community and we keep our rental house pristine and everybody takes great pride in their home.

Mentally challenged individuals have more to fear from regular people than the other way around. They are the ones that are made fun of and laughed at because maybe they drool, or maybe they walk funny or rock back and forth.

Mentally challenged people only want you to accept them as they are - not as what you expect they should be. They are great, happy, funny, sweet, shy people who only wish their neighbors would say "hi" to them at the mailbox or wave at them as they go off to work.

The people who work at group homes taking care of these special individuals are hard-working, caring, and respectful of the neighbors.

Take the time to just say "hello" to a special person and maybe you'll get a smile or a high-five and your minds will change.

To even think a group home would diminish your property values is narrow-minded. You might have a different opinion if a special person living in the home was part of your family.

In your travels, when you see us shopping at the local Walmart, say a simple "hi" to us and maybe you won’t be so afraid of us.

Respectfully,

Laura Atwood
East Wareham