I received this latest information in our ARC Newsletter.
In addition to the daily physical and emotional struggles that a special needs family endures, the financial burden can be simply overwhelming. The extra expenses and the need for a full time caregiver, who handles the medical and developmental issues, certainly have a major financial impact.
I must admit these statistics frighten me as I look ahead to the future. I imagine the financial statistics for single parent households with a special needs child are much worse. I know I will make it work somehow, but it certainly will be an uphill battle!
- It costs 3 times as much to raise a child with a disability compared to a child without a disability.
- Only 16% of mothers who have a child with a disability work (full or part time) compared to 61% of all mothers.
Caregivers are unable to work due to intensive care requirements of their child. Appropriate, trained childcare is lacking or cost prohibitive. - 55% of families who have a child with a disability live in poverty.
- 84% of families who have a child with a disability are in debt (compared to 47% of all households).
* Statistics provided by the WA State Department of Health and American Association of People with Disabilities
8 comments:
Deep breath...me and you!
Kristy
I just have a child with ADHD and being a single widowed mother, I will probably lose everything I have just to take care of her. I don't know how you parents make it with what you have to go through. Somehow we do, with God's help, don't we. I am on a very low limited income and think it is so unfair. Just because my husband died young, we pay the price. Wish there was help out there, or more help, I should say.
Love,
Diane and Alex
Boy, we can relate to these stats. I work both a full-time and part-time job. My husband works part-time and is Katie's primary caregiver during the day when she's not at school. Still, our income is only 60% of what it was before Katie because we can't work the same types of jobs we had before (we both work from our home now). Our debts are higher than ever and still mounting. We qualify for virtually no financial assistance. We get by, but I try to not even thing about it--otherwise, it's overwhelming! Hugs to you as a single mom--I'm sure it has to be so hard for you financially. But are kiddos are worth every penny! :-)
Amy. Hang in there. We get discouraged too (and scared!). My husbands parents help us each month, but we still end up in the hole. My husband gets very sad about this due to "not being able to provied for the family". I know my situation may not compare to yours but it's a struggle none the less. And I was starting to get kinda sad about Christmas and not being able to get alot of presents for them....but I again realize that the season is about Christ's birth and a renewed spirit within us. I wish you and precious Max a Very Merry Christmas.
Mom to Mom,
Shannon
amy,
My heart goes out to you. I know it's hard but I have faith you two will make it. You and Kristy continue to be shining examples to us.
Yup we are there right now!!! We moved in with the inlaws and I am stressed to no end!! I want to go to work but its like I have so much to do at home with Eva and all the appointments its impossible. I wish the government would understand that but they don't.
Time to write to them and Oprah...LOL!
Thank you so much for this post. I will be linking to you for this one as well.
Thanks for the great post! I can relate fully to this!
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