State lacking in services for the disabled

I know I just sent a letter in the last week, but I must comment on the recent article regarding services for Illinois' disabled. It was right on! Our son will be 39 in April. In the spring of 1988, before he graduated, I took all the tours of residences and workshops, and we decided that Misericordia in Chicago was the best place for him. We put him on a waiting list. Periodically we updated paperwork, etc. He went to work at a sheltered workshop. In 1998 I called Sr. Rosemary and asked about the "waiting list." She said he could not possibly be on the waiting list for 10 years. Within a week they had him in for a stay to evaluate him.

We were told he did great and they loved him and he would fit in perfectly. I began to volunteer at their resale shop because we live quite far out. We volunteered for candy days and made contributions fitting our possibilities. I was unable to continue at the resale shop. After checking in periodically, I finally spoke to someone last July saying he was still there on the waiting list. He went in for another stay to update his standing. We were told he fit in perfectly but there were no openings. He has now been on the so-called waiting list for 21 years.

We are able to care for him and he has a good life with us. For him to get in we either need to win the lottery and subsidize a new residence on their property or one of us has to die. Neither is willing to make that sacrifice, and I don't buy enough lottery tickets.

Kane County is not alone in this. Illinois is dead last in services for the disabled. It is very difficult to be retired and to worry about your child when you can no longer care for him. It is not fair to ask his siblings to take him in-they have their own families to care for. It is sad-many are in worse shape that we are, but it is shameful.

Thanks for shining a light on the problem.

Doris R. Aussin

Lake in the Hills