12:34 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 6, 2004

By LINDA BRILL / KING 5 News

KING Friends and family members demonstrated in support of their disabled loved ones.

LACEY, Wash. - In Lacey Tuesday, friends and family members spoke out in support of their disabled loved ones. At issue is whether the state should be allowed to transfer people with profound disabilities from one institution to another.

"This is a frightening situations for anyone with loved one because your rights are being taken away," said Terri Anderson, a resident's mother.

The Department of Social and Health Services is considering making permanent a rule that would allow the state to transfer mentally disabled residents out of institutions.

David Knutson's 42-year-old daughter Janette has lived at Fircrest School in Shoreline for most of her life.

"She sits and waits for me to take her out for lunch and for a ride. I couldn't do that if they move her," said Knutson.

In February, residents of several buildings at Fircrest were moved from the only home they've known for years.

"I could wake up tomorrow and get a call saying my sister's been moved to Lakeland Village in Spokane and there is nothing I can do about it," said Maureen Durkan.

On Tuesday, family members and guardians protested and demanded that DSHS leave residents where they are.

"My son's been there since 7 years old, he's 34, and we've been looking forward to him staying there for many years," said Paul Strand.

But DSHS says it has no choice because the legislature's budget cuts have forced closures at Fircrest.

"Anyone can choose to move into the community they can choose what other state institution they want to go to they just don't have a choice to stay at Fircrest because we have to close the buildings," said Linda Johnson of DSHS.

In March a King County Superior Court judge ruled that the state does have the legal right to move residents from one institution to another. Family and friends of residents said they will appeal that ruling and continue their protest.

The state now cares for about 1,000 disabled people in institutions.