Re Supported Child Care – Refocus and Reductions

I am a proud mom of an 18-year-old son who enriches my life and requires full support in all areas of his life and day-to-day living.  As a single parent mom it is a necessity that I work full time to support my family.  I have only been able to do so because of having access to the supported childcare program.  My son requires a full time support person with him at all times and in all environments.  This is not a luxury but critical to his very health and safety.

To have any of his support removed or reduced would have a life altering impact on our family.  To do so would mean that I would have to quit my job and loose the ability to remain independent in supporting my family to meet even our most basic needs.  My income does not provide for luxuries, and the costs of support for my son, in order for me to keep working, are far and above what I could cover. 

For teens in high school it is critical that those who require support have it, that it is provided in community and that it is sufficient to cover the increased out of school hours that result in high school  (vacations, early dismissals, exam weeks, etc) in order to allow parents to hold their jobs.  My son costs money, and as a family, we need the additional and extra ordinary support to assist us.  Yes, my son costs money, but be damned – he’s worth it and gives back to society ten fold.

Families with children with disabilities have the right to a life like others, to be able to work, to have supports to meet the extra ordinary demands in their role of parenting, to be supported to ensure their children live at home with their family, and to have supports to ensure a good life for their child and themselves. 

Forcing parents out of the work force and into poverty because of changing the rules or cutting the costs in critical and core supports is a shameful position for our government to take.