Respite has real meaning

PARENTING is never easy, but is much more difficult for parents who have a disabled child.
Very often the child may manage to cope with the world and, depending on the disability, mostly is reasonably happy.
I’ve seen many people with full faculties who are far from happy.
But you can lay odds that a parent with a disabled child, and not the child, is living a life of quiet desperation because there is always something to worry about and a neverceasing need for care.
Casey manager of arts and leisure Robyn Bowen spoke last week of a vacation care service and an art program offering meaningful activities to young people with additional needs. Ms Bowen said the services would also provide respite for parents.
Generally, the service Just in Case provides opportunities for young people aged 15 to 20 with disabilities to develop their creative and personal skills under the guidance of professional performing and visual artists.
This is available to residents of the City of Casey and the Shire of Cardinia and is run each month by Arts Access for $6 a session.
Ms Bowen invited families of young people with a disability to take up the opportunity offered by Just in Case.
“Through this program, young people can have a fantastic time exploring their creativity, while their parents or carers enjoy affordable respite,” Ms Bowen said.
Just in Case is another of the excellent services the City of Casey provides, but while Ms Bowen tells of something great for the children, the offshoot of the program to me is its real value.
‘Respite’.
Just try being a carer for a person who cannot manage independently day in and day out for several weeks and you will really get to know what the word ‘respite’ means.
Further information is available from the City of Casey on 9705 5200.