[plan4fate]

Disabled parents fight to keep newborn at home - Toronto - CBC News

A disabled couple in Mississauga are fighting to keep their newborn son after social workers threatened to take the boy away unless he receives round-the-clock care from an “able-bodied attendant.”

Thoughts? Should having CP be a valid reason to take a child away from it's family, or force them to spend $2000 a week on an aide when they themselves do not require one full time?

[BittyBugsMama]

I think its ridiculous. I worked with a guy with CP and he could do the job as well as I could. CP is a varying severity condition. I think if CPS wants them to have a round the clock aide, they should pay for it.

[K.A.T]

If that child truly needs round the clock care that his parents cannot provide, then the state needs to pay for it. I hate things like this. Big bad government demands that this or that gets done yet they don't want to fork over the money to get it done.

[Tammyjh]

It depends on the severity of the disability. If mom and/or dad can take care of all baby's needs safely, then I see no need for an around the clock attendent. From what I can tell, this is in Canada so I'm not sure what this falls under as far as who pays.

[cybele]

One of my best friends has cerebral palsy and has a daughter that she pretty much takes care of herself as her husband does shift work as a miner (two weeks on, one week off)

She is mid-range, she has the slurred speech, poor vision and very stiff movements, but none of them has prevented her from caring for her daughter, who is now 8 years old, healthy and happy.

As for the question posed in an article, how do you pick up a 6yr old who has grazed their knee? You get down to their level and give them a hug, then you get them up and they walk by themselves.

[SusieQ2]

As long as they're able to care for the child then I see no problem with the parents keeping the child.

[HappyHippy]

I agree with everyone else. If the parents *can* care for the child then this is ridiculous. If they do need help and can't pay for it out of pocket, then the state should help. I'm not in favor of taking away children unless absolutly needed (parents on drugs, abuse, extreme hoarding where the child's health is in danger, other dangerous things where a child is in imenent danger).

[Tammyjh]

If its been decided that the parents medical needs impair them so that they need help caring for their newborn, shouldn't it be covered under Canada's health care system?

[Repti.Mom]

I thought the 6 year old scraped knee thing was a dumb example too. I don't pick up my almost 6 year old when he scrapes a knee. Plus how many 6 year olds weigh 60 lbs?

Either way this whole situation is stupid, and now if they WOULD feel they need help in any form they will probably be afraid to ask for it.

[3Kendra3]

It says that they are living in a place where they provide aide to the family when needed. I say that should be enough. Why get a whole new person out there for round the clock care when they are already in an enviornment where they have the help when needed.

I can see why someone would say they should have help, but I also understand that even with a disability there are many people capable of taking care of their baby. Not to mention they do have help. If you ask me, they already did what they needed to before the baby by moving into a housing for those with disabilities.

[Frackel]

I think they're got the care pretty well covered and the government needs to butt out unless they intend to pay for a round the clock aide. They already live somewhere that is probably more than capable of assisting should the need arise.

It's really a shame that people try so desperately to remove children from families where they are loved and well cared for, when there are so many children out there living in homes where neither take place. Actually, it's more than sad, it's pathetic.
I do understand concern for the child's well being, I get that entirely. But we're not talking about two people who can literally do nothing for themselves here, or are putting the baby in harm's way.

[HappyHippy]

Originally Posted by Repti.Mom

I thought the 6 year old scraped knee thing was a dumb example too. I don't pick up my almost 6 year old when he scrapes a knee. Plus how many 6 year olds weigh 60 lbs?

Either way this whole situation is stupid, and now if they WOULD feel they need help in any form they will probably be afraid to ask for it.

My 2 year old scrapped his knee yesterday twice and he cried a little and did *not* want me to pick him up. He just wanted to get up himself and totter off.

[wishing]

The CAS backed off and they were able to keep there son.

[frgsonmysox]

I'm disabled. This makes me LIVID. Being disabled is not the same as being unable to do something.

[plan4fate]

Originally Posted by frgsonmysox

I'm disabled. This makes me LIVID. Being disabled is not the same as being unable to do something.

exactly.

Most of the people I know who are disabled, know their limits, and usually aren't afraid to ask for help if they need it.

[lmunoz8517]

This makes me sick! My mom had cp, and was in a wheelchair she did a wonderful job as a single mom to my brother and I! Ugg Some people just annoy me!!

[GSLynn]

So they'll threaten to take away the kids, but not allow for disability payments to be given to people THEY determined are disabled so they can pay for said attendant? Ridiculous.

[dustywillow]

I agree it depends on the severity of the disability. Can both parents not care for their child as well as a non disabled person could, then they need to help them get the care and not demand that they themselves pay for it. That's what disability payment is for right? I don't think the child should be pulled from its loving home either way.

[lesliek0211]

One of my dearest friends has CP and she just had her first child on Friday. I can't even imagine being told that you are inadequate as a parent, just because of a label.
That being said, I wish we knew more about this story. There seems to be two very different perspectives from the people involved.