But then I fell and fractured my back, and I just couldn't do it anymore. Besides, most people their age are done taking care of their children, Lynn said. Advocates for disabled people say that parents such as Lynn and Jim should have the same rights other parents do. Sometimes, the Casses feel that they're punished because they provide a good home. The board must consider emergency situations first.
Families often fall apart under the stress of caring for their adult child.
Tasks such as changing diapers, lifting, moving and controlling behavioral problems become more difficult as children grow. Funds for respite care are few and far between, and it can be difficult to find caretakers. Sometimes, families break down completely, and an emergency placement is required. They're one of the biggest parts of our budgets. And court-ordered placements, which happen when a judge orders a person out of an institution and into the community, can be expensive, too.