My 40 year old son with mild developmental challenges and we have an idea to help animals, with a twist.
As most parents of children with challenges, I have the constant worry of what will happen to Mark when I am unable to care for him. Mark has worked with animals in many capacities, and currently volunteers at a Wildlife Recovery Centre near us. He would dearly love to spend the rest of his life in our home on a rural setting, caring for his 'critters'. Unfortunately, this is not a very likely probability, and upon hearing the scary fact that he would have to be cared for elsewhere, Mark asked: "When do I get my dream?"
And thus our quest. We would love to operate an animal sanctuary, where we could live right on the property in order for Mark to work there. The facility would be designated a charitable operation, with a board of solid people with like interests to ensure it's viability.
The twist in this dream is that there also be a second home on the site that could accommodate a few other people with developmental challenges similar to Mark's, who would also reside and work at the sanctuary. With appropriate support from Social Services, the everyday needs of these residents would be addressed.
I would dearly love not to have to re-invent the wheel, and perhaps to link with an existing facility. Unfortunately, thus far I have only found locales in the United States.
Does anyone here know of someone who has this type of facility in place, or someone else who is entertaining these same thoughts?
I don't profess to be experienced in development and planning, nor in anything but very basic animal care skills: I am simply a Mom with hopes that her son's furure will not be one of despair, and who wishes to give the same safety and hope to other defenceless people and animals who deserve to be cared for with love and kindness.
Yours in hope, Diane.