I came across this article from Vail, Colorado today (http://tinyurl.com/2c4pek) and it has given me significant pause. I was going to write about how happy I am that I didn't end up in some sort of institution following my accident in 1986. I was 19, broke and clueless. If not for support from my parents, it could have happened so easily. But that is really a story for a different day.
The emotion of sending a loved one off to save yourself is happening this week to my sister Becky's boyfriend, Jim. Jim has two boys with autism and a girl with Downs Syndrome. The oldest boy, Fritz, is 15 and requires constant monitoring and care in order not to be a danger to himself or others. For all intents and purposes, Fritz is a two year-old in a grown man's body.
The strains, physically, emotionally, financially, have become too much for Jim to handle. The prospect of Jim beginning to break down from having to do everything without sufficient assistance from professional caregivers has become quite real.
At the same time, sending the child who needs you so much 4 hours away is tearing Jim apart. Whether it is the best place for Fritz, only time will tell. But in order for Jim to be there for his other children, it is a change that has to happen. Sometimes, there are no good answers.
So, please keep Jim and Fritz in your thoughts this week...
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