More needs to be done to help those helping the challenged

By: Editorial | Opelika Auburn News
Published: August 11, 2008

Parents who raise children with developmental disabilities must overcome hardships and challenges that others simply never face.

People enjoy normal lives, day after day, and don’t realize the difficulties others must endure.

But what happens to the developmentally challenged (autistic, mentally retarded, physically handicapped, etc.) when their parents are too old to care for them?

The only caretakers they’ve known since birth, their rock of strength and perhaps the only people they truly trust, are not capable of giving them the proper care in their adulthood – let alone afford the skyrocketing costs.

This is something we must more than realize, or shrug our shoulders, turn our heads and be glad it’s not us. It’s something that must be recognized and dealt with.

How much of a problem are we dealing with? The numbers are staggering.

The ARC of Alabama estimates there are 121,000 individuals suffering from various forms of developmental disabilities. That’s significantly higher than the seating capacity at either Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium or Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The problem is compounded by the fact that there are 12,000 parents in the state, aged 60 years or more, who must care for the handicapped. The state can come in and provide service, but only so much has been done. There is only so much a family can afford. There is only so much a family can do.

Some with mental disabilities can be cared for by the Division of Mental Retardation, which operates a 220-bed facility, Partlow Hospital in Tuscaloosa. But even that has a waiting list. What happens to those waiting?

What happens to those caring, draining themselves to give their sons, their daughters, a better life?

Alabama’s state Legislature has addressed the problem of prison overcrowding.

It has tackled funds for education. Now, it’s time for our elected officials to roll up their sleeves, face this very real problem and find some help, whether it is financial or increased services, or both.