Kingwood Family Fears for Safety After Son with Autism, Epilepsy Waitlisted for Treatment Center
The shortage of living facilities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a growing concern, particularly for one family in Kingwood. Their 33-year-old son, Christopher, who is diagnosed with profound autism, epilepsy, and other conditions, has been waitlisted for a state-supported living center. The family fears for their safety due to his increasingly violent episodes.
Struggling with Multiple Conditions
Christopher, the son of Eileen Sammon, has a complex array of medical conditions. Along with autism and epilepsy, he suffers from diabetes and an anxiety disorder. His epilepsy began in high school, and it was around this time that his behaviors started becoming violent and uncontrollable.
Despite his struggles, Christopher can be very loving and sweet, but his unpredictable outbursts make living with him extremely challenging. Eileen describes it as “living with a ticking time bomb.”
The Search for Help
In an effort to find a safe and suitable living arrangement for Christopher, his family has been trying to get him admitted to the Richmond State Supported Living Center. This facility, operated by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), evaluated Christopher in November. However, in February, the family was informed that Christopher had been placed on a long waitlist. The expected wait time for a spot in the center ranges from 12 to 18 months.
Impact on the Family
Eileen and her family have been profoundly affected by Christopher’s condition. Bruises have become a norm for Eileen, and the violent episodes have caused significant damage to their home. The family’s safety is a constant concern, with Eileen and her other family members suffering from physical harm during Christopher’s outbursts. The lack of immediate support and placement in a suitable facility leaves them in a precarious and dangerous situation.
Shortage of State Living Centers
Angelina Hudson, the CEO of NAMI Greater Houston, highlights that the shortage of state-supported living centers is a significant issue. The number of beds available in these facilities is directly related to the number of clinicians and doctors on staff.
This shortage leads to long waitlists, leaving many families without the immediate help they need. The Harris Center, which has been a liaison for the Sammon family, has also been unable to provide a clear timeline for when Christopher might be admitted to the Richmond center.
Current Efforts and Future Prospects
The Sammon family feels they have been receiving the runaround from various agencies without clear guidance on how to manage Christopher’s care while waiting for a spot in the state-supported living center. The Harris Center has suggested looking for a group home in the meantime, but this solution is also fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
Eileen has reached out to HHS for more information and clarity regarding the waitlist and other possible solutions. HHS has acknowledged the inquiry and is reportedly looking into the request, but no concrete answers have been provided yet.
Broader Implications
The situation faced by the Sammon family is not unique. It underscores a broader issue affecting many families dealing with loved ones who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The lack of sufficient living facilities and the lengthy wait times for the available ones put families in vulnerable and often dangerous situations. Without adequate support and timely placement, the safety and well-being of both the individuals with disabilities and their families remain at risk.
Conclusion
The Kingwood family’s struggle to find appropriate care for Christopher highlights critical gaps in the availability of state-supported living facilities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As they wait for a spot in the Richmond State Supported Living Center, their safety and well-being are constantly threatened by Christopher’s violent episodes.
This case calls for urgent attention to the shortages in healthcare staffing and facilities to ensure that families like the Sammon’s receive the timely and adequate support they desperately need.
