WALLA WALLA - A recent gathering at Crossroads Steakhouse began like any dinner meeting. A few folks arrived a little late, someone asked about the soup, people ordered drinks and waffled on salad dressing choices.

And, like anything involving parents, there were pictures of children to be passed around, oohed and ahhed over.

But differences become apparent soon enough. For starters, the waiter offered to begin taking dinner orders with "the screwdriver lady," which was greeted by raucous and knowing laughter.

And the stories about the kids? "Of course, he's gotten involved with a pyramid scheme, which has caused some stress for us," one dad recounted.

"But at least he's dressing better," his wife added. "We could have talked 50 years and he wouldn't have cared what he was wearing."

Cue the laughter again.

FYI

For more on the Parent 2 Parent program, call 524-2920.

Services could disappear

Many of the services provided by Washington state's Parent to Parent organization are in danger of disappearing, noted state Director Susan Atkins. "The governor's budget proposal cut county Developmental Disability contracts, which help fund the Parent to Parent programs."

The Legislature is working on the budget with Gov. Chris Gregoire, she added. "We hope, that in the final budget negotiations, that the county DD contracts are not reduced, and that county funding will continue for Parent to Parent programs."