A devoted mother from Oakville, Sally Mitzel, shares her heartfelt concerns about her daughter, RaeAnn, who has been waiting for a group home placement for nearly two decades. RaeAnn, a 39-year-old with a developmental disability, has a passion for bowling, music, and walking, despite functioning at the level of a three-year-old.
Sally, who became the sole caregiver for RaeAnn after her husband passed away five years ago, worries about her daughter’s future once she is no longer able to care for her. Expressing her concern, Sally emphasizes the importance of every parent’s wish to outlive their disabled child to ensure their well-being.
With approximately 53,000 individuals with developmental disabilities on waitlists for crucial services in the province, Community Living Oakville highlights the pressing need for proper support and accommodation. Executive director Alexandra Hoeck Murray points out the detrimental effects of the waitlist, leading to increased homelessness, human trafficking, and inappropriate placements.
Hoeck Murray further emphasizes the issue of chronic underfunding in the sector, stating that the current annual funding from the ministry falls short of meeting the rising costs of living. Although the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has invested billions in developmental services and introduced new facilities for adults with disabilities, Mitzel stresses that more needs to be done to address the persistent waitlist problem.
In a society where substantial funds are allocated to various causes, Mitzel questions the existence of waitlists for essential services for individuals with disabilities.