In some instances, aging parents have been sole caregivers for their middle-aged disabled children.

        Even when children are securely established in community settings for independence, with jobs and medical benefits in place, parents fear that an inheritance could erode the foundations of Social Security, Medicaid, and other systems holding their children's lives together.

        “Putting the Pieces Together” is a three-hour seminar hosted by Ohio Brain Injury Association, the MRDD boards of Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties, and others, designed to provide the information needed in such situations.

IF YOU GO

“Putting the Pieces Together” will be repeated several times over three days at the Butler County Mental Health Board, 5963 Boymel Drive, Fairfield:     Oct. 9 — 6-9 p.m.     Oct. 10 — 9 a.m.-noon     Oct. 10 — 6-9 p.m.     Oct. 11 — 9 a.m.-noon     The seminars will be conducted by attorneys and disability services experts from around Ohio. Registration is free, although a $15 donation is requested. Registration deadline is Oct. 1.     To register, call (513) 821-6111 or (800) 874-0268; fax (513) 821-6141; or e-mail: planofsouthwestoh@fuse.net.

        Families, attorneys, and disability services professionals will learn what they need to know about putting a plan in order to ensure that adult children with disabilities will be cared for personally and financially when their parents are no longer able to do the job.

Changed in an instant

        JoAnn Burns of Oxford, who describes herself as “a senior citizen,” believes that all parents, with or without disabilities, should give themselves the gift of peace of mind by attending such a seminar.

        When a traumatic brain injury turned Mrs. Burns' son, John, from an able-bodied 20-year-old to a significantly disabled one, his mother already knew something about services and laws regarding people with disabilities.

        Then a farm equipment mechanic, John became one more drinking and driving statistic when his car collided with a utility pole 22 years ago.

        “The only visible mark on him was a scratch above his right ear about two inches long,” Mrs. Burns recalls, “but the accident had jarred his brain stem.”

        Since that time, Mr. Burns has required round-the-clock care, has used a wheelchair andlived in about 25 Ohio nursing homes before laws made it possible for him to be supported by the Medicaid waiver program.

        At 42, John Burns' life is finally settled to his mother's satisfaction. He lives in a home with another man with a traumatic brain injury, and both receive the care they need. Recently, John began working in the community for the first time in 20 years, repairing small engines a few days a week.

Daughter also settled

        Because her youngest daughter, Sandra, was born with Down syndrome, Mrs. Burns believes she was able to find the help needed for her son more quickly than an uninitiated parent might. At 34, Sandy works full-time at McDonald's in Oxford.

        Her job, her mother says, is “to clean the lobby and visit with everybody.” Sandy has a full life — with work, a club, therapeutic recreation and plans to move into her own apartment with a roommate.

        JoAnn Burns is proud and happy with the progress her adult children with disabilities have made, but there was a time when she worried for their future.

        When her husband died in 1994, Mrs. Burns realized it was time to make plans for all her children, particularly the two who would always require care.

        First, she sold the family farm in Reily, Ohio, and moved to Oxford where Sandy could walk to work. Next, she made an appointment with a lawyer known for expertise in both disability law and establishing trusts.

        “The less you have,” Mrs. Burns says, “the more important it is to have everything in place. I wanted the little bit I have to go to my children, not to probate court or taxes.”

        The solution, in her case, was to establish the Burns Trust Fund, a fund that all five of her children can use when she is gone, but which John and Sandy will not be required to repay. Most importantly, the trust is established in such a way that it will not interfere with Social Security and Medicaid benefits so essential to the well-being of her children.

        “Once you know that everything is in place,” Mrs. Burns says, “and know that your loved ones will be cared for, you can relax and enjoy your senior years.”

        Contact Deborah Kendrick by phone: 673-4474; fax: 321-6430; e-mail: dkkendrick@earthlink.net.
       
       

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