;
Myers Drive Respite Home staff monitor the blood sugar of Micah Murphy before he heads out to meet a friend on a recent Friday night. Murphy stays at the respite home about once a month

Respite Home Offers a Break to Parents of Adult Children with Intellectual Disabilities

by | Apr 14, 2017 | Health & Wellness

By Amy Umble, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board public information officer.

When your child is full-grown but requires ‘round-the-clock care, you can’t just call the teenager down the street when you need to get away. Vacations, weddings, and date nights often require strategic planning.

The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) offers a solution for parents of adult children who have an intellectual disability — The Myers Drive Respite Home.

RACSB opened its respite home in Stafford County in 2013. The agency partnered with philanthropist Doris Buffett to renovate a three-bedroom ranch into a six-bedroom respite center where guests can stay for up to 15 days at a time. Individuals could stay for a few hours or several nights.

“Sometimes, raising a child with a disability can feel like being underwater, holding your breath for a very long time, living in fear of drowning,” said Debbie Draper, who represents King George County on the agency’s Board of Directors. “The respite homes gives us parents a chance to come up for air, while knowing our son is well-cared for. You really couldn’t want anything more for your child than what Myers provides.”

In addition to providing respite for caregivers, the home also offers social events, outings, and leisure activities for the guests.

“We’re here to support families, but we’re also here to improve the lives of the people we care for,” said Angela D’Angelo, program supervisor. “I’m a firm believer that doing something that puts a smile on someone’s face does the most good.”

On May 7, 2017, the community will have the opportunity to learn more about RACSB’s respite services during an open house at the Myers Drive Respite Home.

Parking at the respite home is limited, so guests are encouraged to park at the White Oak Rescue Squad, 535 White Oak Rd. in Stafford. RACSB will provide a van shuttle service to and from the respite home, using vehicles with lifts.

Individuals who cannot attend the open house can schedule their own tour of the respite home. For details, call 540-899-4670 or visit www.rappahannockareacsb.org

Founded in 1970, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) provides public mental health, developmental disability, substance abuse and prevention/early intervention services to the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford.

More
RACSB Names New Executive Director
_____

Subscribe To Daily News Updates

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news from The Free Press

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Share This