The Question at the Center of Everything

Nearly 50 people showed up for the PARCA session on independent housing. (The Parents' Association for Retarded Children and Adults was formed 62 years ago and is now known by the acronym rather than its original name. The session was entitled "Transition toward Independence: Independent Housing for People with Developmental Disabilities.") They heard speakers from the Golden Gate Regional Center, the San Mateo Department of Housing, HIP Housing, West Bay Housing, and PARCA.

Many of the faces in the audience have become familiar over the years. The welfare of loved ones who will never truly be "independent" is a lifelong task. There rarely are solutions given in these sessions; but maybe they'll learn of organizations, laws, and people who can help solve some of the problems.

Their charges have differing medical conditions, the government classifications are different (e.g., Social Security Disability, GGRC client), and the caregivers have differing degrees of financial resources and expertise. But even those who can bequeath a house and other assets to their loved one know that someone will need to make sure that the bills are paid, the faucets are fixed, and the prescriptions are filled.

Everyone is tormented by the question at the center of everything: who will look after our loved one after we're gone? For most of the people there are years, even decades, to answer the question, but answer it everyone must. © 2013 Stephen Yuen