Mattiello is the 'real deal'

To the Editor:

On May 3, 2016, my adult daughter, who is developmentally delayed, was “dumped” at the Newport Hospital Emergency Room by the very agency that was receiving payment to take care of her. She was left there with none of her property and told she could not return to her group home or her day program. My family’s lives were turned upside down.

Every agency that is aware of this event offered their surprise, dismay and sympathy that this could happen to one of the most fragile of our citizens. Many, if not all, of Rhode Island’s oversight agencies had been contacted and ALL have offered varying degrees of advice. Still, there were many nights where my family and I felt as if we were very much on our own.

However, there is one person in particular who, when informed of my daughter’s plight, chose to aggressively pursue a review of the incident. That person is the Speaker of the RI House of Representatives, Nicholas Mattiello. While Speaker Mattiello is my District Representative, it must be stated that he owes me nothing. Indeed, my leanings tend to be conservative. Representative Mattiello could have chosen to simply express his regrets and walk away, as others in government elected positions had done. But he did not. He offered no assurances in way of a resolution, but he told me he would look into it and he did what he said he would do. And for that I am extremely grateful.

The result of the investigation culminated in 16 findings leveled at the agency that was receiving money to provide care and services for my daughter. The investigation’s results were made public in the Providence Sunday Journal via a front-page article published on Oct. 16, 2016.

This is not a political grandstand…nor was I asked to write this letter. I don’t know what the political climate has in store for Representative Nicholas Mattiello. I, for one though, have come to the conclusion that he is the “real deal.” My family will not forget his selflessness and genuine concern. Needless to say, he has our support in the upcoming election. I wish him success.

Steven DiBiasio

Cranston