This morning I had plans to go to a presentation at Children's Hospital put on by the social workers. It was about two things concerning services provided to special-needs kids. First, transitioning from children's services to adult services. Second, the changes in the way the State is administering the funds and overseeing how the money is spent. We're not getting any government services, but the day will come when an uninsurable child is no longer covered by her daddy's health insurance. So I wanted to hear about what changes are in the offing.
It was pretty much a waste of time. The speakers referred only to the new services available in some counties -- places I do not live. But there was the one comment that infuriated me.
A woman was explaining the problem with long waiting lists for obtaining day care, or group homes, or any of the other services people wish to obtain. "They have twelve-year waiting lists for these services. Now, you certainly don't want your child spending that twelve years waiting in YOUR home, watching Oprah all day. They have a right to their own apartment."
Granted, I don't want my kid watching Oprah all day. Or at all. Or watching anything (no matter how good) ALL day.
But to object to having your own child in your home? They turn 18, and they're supposed to be kicked out the door. Who cares that a special-needs (dare I say the naughty word "handicapped"?) child may take longer to grow up? Who cares that their special needs may require [ummmmmmm.....] special allowances? Nope nope nope. We have our own lives to live, and the government better be taking care of this adult-child because I'm ready to wash my hands of it and get on with my life.
Gag.
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Yeah, that's very strange. I would think that a person should be able to demonstrate that they could live independently before getting their own living space.
ReplyDeleteWell, if the government pays for the apartment, and if the government makes sure there's someone paid to be there, checking in on a person and providing them instruction on how to live on their own,
ReplyDeletethen the person has the "right" to their own apartment. They can live in an institution or a group home if they want, but they have the "right" to live in their own place, just like any other person.
I'm still flabbergasted by the woman, standing there talking to a bunch of parents (mostly mothers), making it sound utterly disgusting to have a 22-yr-old handicapped child still living at home because the govt hasn't taken the kid off her hands yet. Who would do anything SO stupid as to tolerate their child living with them instead of in a group home? And HOW unreasonable it is of the govt to expect parents to do that for several years while the family is on a waiting list for govt services! (Like I said, this woman kinda ticked me off.)
There was an elderly couple in our congregation that had a son with Down Syndrome. He lived with them until he was in his mid-50s when he died. It wasn't exactly easy for them, especially providing care for him when they were already in their 80s. But they treated him like a son instead of like an inconvenience to be dumped on somebody else. That's admirable.
Blech, if the government pays for the apartment and pays for the sitter, then you and I are the ones taking care of the person through tax dollars rather than his parents. I don't think that's a right that should be claimed. Parents are going to take better care of their child (except in abuse situations) better than a social worker, and they won't wait 12 years to do it.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the whole movement to get the kid out of the house. Talk about an anti-family sentiment.
:'(
ReplyDeleteWhat else is there to say?