ONTARIO
As son ages family is concerned for the future
Linda Batoff's son Andrew is 21 years old now, but when he was three he was diagnosed with Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). At the age of 13 he started developing seizures.
Linda and her husband sleep in shifts as Andrew can be "hyper at night. The lights are on, the television is on, he is up and down the stairs. He jumps up and down," she described. "We get three hours of sleep max." The family has to ensure the home is child proof, "for a two-year-old, a very tall two-year-old," his mom says. For Andrew's protection, food is typically stored in a refrigerator in the basement of their home, there are locks on a lot of the doors and a front and back door security system as well. Andrew will also "drink any liquid," including cleaner if not properly stored. Ensuring Andrew is kept safe within the home is also necessary as, "If he got out I don't know where he would go. He is very fast if he takes off on you in traffic. He has no sense of danger."
Recently graduating from high school, Linda explained the family has utilized Lanark Community Programs since Andrew was between the ages of three and five. Throughout school, Andrew has always had to have a full time educational assistant and now that he has graduated from high school, Linda explained the family will require a "full time worker" to aid in Andrew's care.
Having said that, she explained, "our funding (any aid received through government programs) has been frozen for five years. As our child grows older we need more help."
"There are no alternatives, there are no group homes," she noted.
Linda currently utilizes the services of the Lanark Respite House for Andrew when possible. "Before the house we just had to cope," she commented. Andrew doesn't always sleep, so "when he comes to the respite home we get to sleep. Last summer was our first vacation to Kelowna (British Columbia) for five days in 21 years."
Concerned for Andrew's future, Linda noted of her situation and families facing the same circumstances, "It would be nice to have our kids move on to the next stage in their lives because we won't be around forever."
The Lanark County Family Relief program runs the house, which was purchased in 2006. When plans for the house got rolling in 2006, it was at the time a joint venture with the Lanark County Children's Aid Society, Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth, and Lanark Community Programs. There is still a mortgage to carry for the house and families are charged a fee for service. Lanark Health and Community Services own the home in partnership with the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Partial base funded is received from both ministries. The Lanark County Family Relief Program runs under the umbrella of Lanark Community Programs, which is a part of Lanark Health and Community Services.
Marla Shook-Johnson
9 September 2010
http://www.emcsmithsfalls.ca/20100909/news/As+son+ages+family+is+concerned+for+the+future
