Waltham Letter: Bravo To The Lion's Club And To Waltham's Mayor

WALTHAM, MA — The following letter to the editor was submitted by Regina Davidson a Guardian of Marilyn Davidson, diagnosed with mental health and lived at the Walter E. Fernald Development Center from, in connection with this article: Disability Advocates Push Back on Waltham Light Show At the Fernald.

Dear Editor:

BRAVO TO THE LION'S CLUB AND TO MAYOR JEANNETTE MC CARTHY!

I am a Guardian of Marilyn Davidson who lived at Fernald.

The truth comes from those who know, the families and their loved ones.

The nay-sayers are the same organizations who persisted in the closing of Fernald for their own gain.

Fernald was the only Developmental Center, along with 13 families, who fought for over 10 years to keep their family members in their home. And it was a Home.

It was and always will be the tragedy of human life vs politics in the god-almighty buck.

Federal Judge Joseph Tauro, along with Attorney Beryl Cohen, spent over 20 years exposing the atrocities of the past and gave new life to the residents of Fernald.

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy spent many afternoons at Fernald dancing and feeding the residents of Fernald. She understood and still today understands the meaning of Fernald.

In July 2020, Marilyn Davidson, 77 years old, said "I want to go home." Staff said "You are home." She said "No, I want to go home to Fernald." If anybody would like to respond to that, please do.

I hope this Light Show by the Lion's Club will continue at Fernald. I will bring my 5-year-old grand-daughter and show her where her Aunt Marilyn lived.

Every light of the Light Show will be a shinning light of the Fernald residents.

Regina Davidson
Co-Guardian of Marilyn Davidson
Arlington, MA

Read more:

Waltham Letter: Focus On What The Fernald Became, Not What It Was

"My life centered around Fernald because my sister lived there for 67 years," writes Dorothy Rouleau.

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