Stories

Families Praise Respite Program

Two parents share their feelings about Family Circle's Sunday respite programs. Names have been changed to maintain privacy.

Sarah’s Mom
“The Sunday respite program has given my daughter a sense of belonging. Sarah is 22 and never had friends. It has changed her life. She has a place to go and is safe and happy.

It has changed my life too. Being her caregiver, I used to spend my whole Sunday going to the movies and taking Sarah out. Now she is with other young people.

I think it is wonderful that other young adults who are higher functioning than Sarah are working as aides. It gives them a sense of purpose, too. It’s as though everyone has an open hand extended to help the next person.

We have been looking for this kind of program for a long time. I didn’t think it existed.
We are very grateful and hope it continues for a very long time.”

Maya’s Mom
Our daughter Maya is 17 and has multiple and severe neuron-motor dysfunction and retardation.

Doctors said she might never walk, but she finally accomplished it at age 7. In our view, her participation in an aquatic therapy program contributed to this success. When Maya moved into a residential school, that afternoon program was no longer feasible.

The Sunday respite program allows Maya to enjoy the recreational aspects of swimming and it also provides very important social interaction with kids who are challenged in similar ways.

The staff is lovely and she especially enjoys the music therapy. For many of the kids it’s an important vehicle for communication.

Maya looks forward to her Sundays, and although it is quite a distance, I manage to drive back and forth because it is so good for her.

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