A couple of months ago, Chris and John Wilkinson celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a vacation – just the two of them. 
For most couples, a vacation like this would be a nice break from their daily routine. For the Wilkinsons, however, this vacation was nothing short of a miracle.
“To be able to go together, and with the knowledge that our son was well cared for,” says Chris, “well, it’s hard to even explain.”
Chris and John’s son Brian is 20 years old and has severe developmental disabilities. He does not speak or walk, and needs assistance with every aspect of his day-to-day life, including feeding and toileting.
Nine hours after his birth, Brian started having seizures, and everyone knew something was wrong. Immediately, the Wilkinsons started to search for answers – therapies, medications, treatments – anything to help Brian.
At one point, the family was traveling from Northwest Indiana to Philadelphia every six months for evaluations and revisions of Brian’s program, while utilizing 100 volunteers on a weekly basis who rotated in and out of their home to carry out a portion of the program called “patterning.” This therapy needed to be done 3 times a day, for 90 minutes at a time, by four people at once.
“We did this for 5 years, until we were spent financially and physically,” shares Chris. “During these times we were still hopeful for a complete ‘cure’ before finally accepting the fact that, yes indeed, we have a disabled child.”
The Wilkinsons firmly believe, though, that all of this time and energy was worth it.
“We were able to detoxify him of medicines, and he has been seizure free and medicine free for 15 years,” reports Chris.
While the Wilkinsons love their son deeply, and don’t for a minute resent caring for him, raising a child with developmental disabilities takes its toll. For families like them, leaving their child with the babysitter down the street, even for a few hours, is not an option. Because of the specialized needs of a child like Brian, leaving him with other family members is not usually possible, either.
For this reason, respite services, provided by organizations like Opportunity Enterprises, are incredibly important.
“Respite services are critical for families dealing with persons with disabilities,” says Chris, “We cannot stress this enough – critical. To be able to have a respite for a few hours, or a day, is so necessary.”
Opportunity Enterprises offers respite services staffed with Direct Service Professionals who are certified in CPR, First Aid, and passing medications, and have extensive training in the care of disabled individuals.
Provided at OE’s day program facilities, in participants’ homes, or at OE’s new Respite Home located at 478 High Meadows Circle in Jackson Township, OE’s respite services focus on improving daily living skills, socialization, and the overall quality of life for individuals of all ages with disabilities.
While his parents were on their first vacation in 20 years, Brian stayed at Opportunity Enterprises’ Respite Home, where he received the care and support he needed, allowing his parents to travel together as husband and wife, knowing their son was safe.
“The experience (we’ve had) with OE was the most amazing, positive experience we have had in a very long time,” shares Chris, “OE staff are so friendly, caring, loving….there are not enough adjectives for description. For someone to tell us it was a ‘privilege’ to take care of our son…well, how do you respond to that?”
For hours, locations, scheduled activities, or to schedule respite services at Opportunity Enterprises, please contact Joshua Bougie at (219) 548 – 0206 or (219) 464 – 9621, ext. 237, or visit www.oppent.org.