Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to write to a mother who says she may be forced to place her severely disabled daughter into care due to a lack of support. Riven Vincent, from Bristol, posted on Mumsnet that her local council could not provide additional help, sparking a flood of responses from parents of disabled children.
Many parents described the immense strain of caring for disabled children with minimal support. One mother said she has not had a holiday in six years and rarely goes out as a family. Another, caring for four disabled children, said she was told there was 'no help available' because her children were not considered 'at risk' and she owned her home.
Carers highlighted the financial burden, noting that home-based carers receive just 32p an hour. They argued that this forces them to live in overcrowded, unsuitable homes and prevents them from working. 'We do want to work, we're educated, but because I'm on call 24/7 I can't,' one mother said.
Parents also spoke of the emotional toll on siblings. One mother of a severely autistic son said her 14-year-old 'can get lost in the crisis of autism' and needs support himself. Despite the challenges, she added: 'When he runs towards me with a big smile and gives me a hug, I know we're doing OK.'
