By Dotty Carter | Marketing and Development Manager
In many families, it is common for children to attend day care or after-school care, interact with peers and adults outside the family, or stay with a child care provider while their parents enjoy an evening out. Respite care provided by The Arc Mid-South Direct Support Professionals offers these same opportunities for children with special needs. Respite care is short term care that helps a family take a break from the daily routine and stress of care-giving. It can be provided in the client's home or in a variety of out-of-home settings and is an essential part of the overall support that families may need to keep their family member with a disability or chronic illness at home. This is a top objective of the respite program so that families can avoid the need to institutionalize their loved one.
For older individuals with a disability, The Arc Mid-South offers weekend respite retreats 8-10 times per year and 2 week-long summer camps which assist in building the skills needed for independent living and also provides companionship and support services. Since the most appropriate living situation for many adults with a disability is in a group home or other supported environment, out-of-home respite care can enable families to test this option, explore community resources, and prepare themselves and their family member with a disability for this change. The campers enjoy field trips, community events, and activities designed to increase their ability to lead fulfilled lives.
A parent of one of our campers shares their story, "We have been taking our son, Scott, to The Arc's respite/retreat weekends for at least ten years. We feel that this is a good experience for him in learning to become more independent. This gives Scott an opportunity to spend some time away from his parents, to make new friends, and take part in different activities offered. It also gives his Dad and me "some alone time to recharge our batteries" so that we will have the patience and energy to take the best care of our developmentally and intellectually disabled son. Scott is always eager to attend the respites and seems to always enjoy himself."
Colin's family moved to Memphis in the mid-80's and found The Arc Mid-South had so many supportive programs…especially respite…that were invaluable to their family. They knew nobody when they arrived in Memphis and The Arc immediately provided respite care during their first visit to Memphis so they could begin house-hunting and getting settled. Colin still loves the weekend retreats and summer camps and his parents certainly enjoy the regular break the respite programs provide. His mom says " The Arc has become our family here in Memphis – I don’t know what we’d do without it!"
The Arc Mid-South offers scholarships for campers who need the financial help which is where your support comes in. Each $400 we receive sends a camper to a weekend retreat. Will you help?
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