Open The Doors To The Community

On September 15, 2007, Sabe Advocates from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas met for a regional Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered meeting. While there, we all participated in a candlelight vigil at Denton State School to support Haseeb Chisty and other self-advocates who want to leave the school. Haseeb is a young man who was beaten at the State School several years ago. His family is trying to obtain support for him to come home to live with them in the community. It was great for us as advocates to take a stand and let everyone know what we believe. It was a very moving and emotional experience. Haseeb's family was at the vigil and they were thankful for our support. After the vigil Sabe self-advocates signed a petition to free Haseeb from Denton State School and for him to have the support he needs to live in the community. The petition would then be sent to the governor and other needed persons.

For more information concerning Haseeb, you can watch the You Tube videos from the links below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLcP1RoN0Zc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSPb2mSvws8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NSDTv2G6Hc

Close The Doors

Chorus...Close the Doors,

Close the Doors,

Close the Doors

Behind us forever,

cuz we deserve better

Til you throw away the key

I won't have my dignity

I won't be really free to live

While my brother's locked away

While my sister's in that place

I can't see the light of day myself

Til the day you can announce

That you've torn the last one down

You will hear me calling aloud and clear

Close the Doors, Close the Doors ,

Close the Doors , behind us forever

cuz......we deserve better.