By Kim Rossi
Last month my daughters had a reservation for their quarterly visit to the state run Respite House. They go for two nights, 2-3 times a year. That’s my respite. You can do the math on two hands. I got a call cancelling their date a week before.
“We have an emergency placement.”
My disappointment disappeared in a heartbeat. An emergency placement means a DDS client has no where to go. Because?
On Tuesday, I was grocery shopping and saw the Respite House manager buying bananas. We greeted. “Our individual loves bananas.”
“He’s still there?” I said.
“Yes, three weeks.”
“Did a parent die?”
“Yes.”
I nodded. Kept shopping for three beautiful women who themselves might become Respite House emergency placements.
I’ve broached this topic with DDS and our agency top management. There are zero systems in place. Families have to cobble together plans on a wing and a prayer. Can you rely on family to take over? Can you put your faith in the private group home system?
Do you have any faith left?
@CombatingAutism @AutismActionNet @SecKennedy @ProfoundAutism @KatyTalento
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