In the heart of Milton, a poignant story unfolded during a recent government meeting, where a local resident shared her struggles as a single mother and caregiver. With a steady voice, she recounted the daily challenges of raising her 25-year-old son, Luke, who lives with profound autism and intellectual disabilities. Her words painted a vivid picture of the relentless vigilance required to ensure his safety and well-being, a reality that many families face but few fully understand.

As she spoke, the room felt the weight of her experiences. Luke, who has an IQ of 53 and limited communication skills, requires full assistance with daily activities. The mother described a recent incident where Luke returned from a state-funded day program with an unexplained injury, highlighting the fears that accompany her role as a caregiver. “This is the daily reality for mothers like me,” she said, encapsulating the uncertainty and anxiety that permeate her life.

Her commitment to Luke is unwavering, and she balances her responsibilities as a caregiver with her role as the director of the Milton Council on Aging. In this position, she witnesses firsthand the critical need for home-based care, not just for the elderly but for all vulnerable populations. “Families are desperately seeking in-home support for their aging or disabled loved ones,” she explained, emphasizing the scarcity and high costs associated with such care.

The mother also shared her personal struggles, living with her 81-year-old mother whose health is declining. She juggles the demands of caring for both her son and her mother, performing tasks that many would consider overwhelming. “I’m doing the work of multiple people around the clock,” she stated, a testament to the resilience of caregivers across the commonwealth.

However, a looming concern overshadowed her narrative. Under current Massachusetts law, parents, spouses, or legal guardians are ineligible to receive payment as caregivers through programs like the Adult Foster Care (AFC) or Personal Care Attendant (PCA) programs. This policy, she argued, is not only illogical but also disproportionately affects single parents. “If no one else lives in the home and the only person able to care for the disabled individual is the parent or guardian, the family is denied access to this vital monetary support,” she lamented, calling it an injustice.

The mother’s testimony resonated deeply, shedding light on the broader implications of caregiving policies in Massachusetts. With a divorce rate of nearly 80% among parents of children with disabilities, many find themselves navigating these challenges alone. Her story is a call to action, urging lawmakers to reconsider policies that leave families like hers without the necessary support.

As the meeting concluded, the echoes of her words lingered, a reminder of the urgent need for change in the system that governs care for the most vulnerable members of society. The hope is that her plea will inspire a shift towards more inclusive and supportive policies, ensuring that no caregiver feels abandoned in their vital role.