Thursday, January 13, 2011

Contemplating Independence


CHICAGO -- On the verge of victory in a lingering civil rights suit seeking his freedom from a large institution, 37-year-old David Cicarelli knows one of the first things he'll bring when he finally gets to move into his new home in the suburbs.
"A punch bowl," Cicarelli says, his smile quickly evolving into one of those laughs that makes everybody else smile as he ponders more possibilities. "I could make a cake."
However he celebrates his newfound freedom will be up to him under a negotiated agreement going before a judge Thursday that would allow Cicarelli and other adults with developmental disabilities to leave large institutions and move into smaller homes if they desire.

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