On The Death of Dr. Joseph H. Ladd, 40 Years Ago Today

The following was originally published in the Providence Evening Bulletin on Monday, May 13, 1974:

Dr. Joseph H. Ladd, who pioneered efforts in Rhode Island to rehabilitate the mentally retarded, died yesterday at the age of 98.

He was the husband of Pauline (Falco) Ladd.

He was the first superintendent of the Dr. Joseph H. Ladd School in Exeter, which opened in 1907 with seven mentally retarded boys under his care.

Mother, Don't Let the Sun Set on You Here

On Mother's Day, May 11, 2014, after more than two years in production, the fifth book in my Ladd School anthology will make its debut.

The stars, it seems, are especially aligned for this occasion; not only does it occur on the eve of the 40th anniversary of Dr. Ladd's passing, but I cannot think of a more appropriate day to launch this particular title.