[Bgreuter]

Our 35 year old son is physically disabled and lives with us. He was born with spina bifida. Fortunately, his communication abilities are 100 percent.

Do any other Villagers have a situation similar to ours? Are their children welcomed into the community?

[N44125]

I sent you a PM that might help.

[Bgreuter]

You are so kind, thank you. Hopefully fall/ winter. God Bless You.

[JMP123]

I am in the same situation. My daughter is disabled, in a wheelchair, 36, and am trying to find out if the villages will work for her. I need to know about transportation, whether she will be accepted into clubs, social events etc. I know there is plenty for her to do, movies, shopping, pools, library,etc., but she needs to have a social outlet. Any info will be appreciated,

[PammyJ]

I would like to know info as well.Ii have a disabled adult child. My son is 28, not a physical disability though. He would love some social outlets as well. We may have to make something for them.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by Bgreuter

Our 35 year old son is physically disabled and lives with us. He was born with spina bifida. Fortunately, his communication abilities are 100 percent.

Do any other Villagers have a situation similar to ours? Are their children welcomed into the community?

We feel that our son is very welcome here in The Villages. Many people have gone out of their way to befriend us. Our 36 year old son with cerebral palsy, low vision, low IQ ( he is a 4 year old forever ) lives with us. He loves it here because he is a music nut!
We go to the square as often as possible to listen to the bands.

One thing we don't have here is a day program for adults with disabilities nearby. There is a sheltered workshop in Bushnell and in Leesburg. They are both about 40 minutes away. Our son was only going 3 days a week when we lived in Orlando anyway, but it would be nice to have a day program available.

There are several families living in The Villages with adult children with different types of disabilities.

[kittygilchrist]

I know 3 families with adult dsa children at home. And I don't know that many people.

[seacoastbargain]

There is a group here in the Villages for parents of adult children with disabilities. I live in Polo Ridge and some of our neighbors are in the group.

[Bgreuter]

Many thanks to all who replied. It is very helpful knowing we aren't alone. As we get older and our son gets older, we contemplate the future differently than most because of the lingering question, "What will happen when we aren't here anymore." But, there is strength in numbers and I hope I can attend the meetings and get everyone's input! I wish the Morse family would use their incredible skills and share wisdom on this subject. My son falls into a no mans land of needing assistance with daily living but does not fit into a nursing home environment either. I'm sure other parents face the same situation. Well, putting the cart before the horse, hope to buy home in Lake Deaton this fall or early winter. Blessings to all.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by seacoastbargain

There is a group here in the Villages for parents of adult children with disabilities. I live in Polo Ridge and some of our neighbors are in the group.

that's great to know. We've lived here since August 2011 and we don't know about this group. Thanks for sharing.

[cquick]

one nice thing about The Villages is that we "old" people can find so many activities and also include our family members. My mom also lives here. I know of several people who have cousins, siblings, parents and children who have all moved here together.

[Ohiogirl]

In one of my past lives, I was a special education teacher. One of my jobs (moved a lot due to ex-husband's career) was teaching life skills to a group of mentally disabled adults. Was kind of like a home ec class once a week. We planned a meal one week, shopped another (we could walk to a grocery store), cooked, did sewing repairs (buttons, seams, ripped hems, etc). Nothing they probably hadn't all learned before, but it was a social night out for most of them.

Most of my students lived in a couple of group homes and some had outside jobs. Various levels of functioning. They all enjoyed it and I would have offered it again except I moved. It was quite popular.

I am not proposing to do this myself in The Villages, but I bet someone might be interested. Would think it could be offered as a Lifelong learning class. I think those who are not Villages residents but live nearby can also take those classes, just pay a higher fee than residents.

Would also think that for those not mentally challenged that the parents, with effort and maybe contacts thru churches or local agencies, could set up a social club for adult children with physical but not mental disabilities. Maybe games nights, movie nights, etc. or whatever they decide to do. Maybe they could eventually add sub-clubs (interest groups, like book clubs, different card/game stuff, etc). Would think this could be either at a rec center or a local church who is interested. Yes, I know they could come to the regular clubs, but am guessing they get tired of being with old people all the time. Some willing parents need to take the lead, most likely.

Posting on here would be a good start, but someone also needs to talk to the rec dept and the lifelong learning college. Maybe someone already has and could respond.

[villager99]

there is a rec center sponsored handicap club that has been active since the villages early days.i believe they still meet monthly and also have a variety of social/recreational events such as bowling and bocci. it is a mixed group and many members are young adults with physical or cognitive challenges.i don't have up to date contact info but that should be available from the villages rec department

[chrismmail]

I am also interested in any contact information (either families or groups) for young adults w disabilities. I am moving to TV this fall with my 24 yr old son, who has language and learning issues. He drives, works, and is very social, but is not able to live totally independently. He currently has as quite a few friends that he goes out with here in NY, and will need to find friends in/around TV. Any contacts would be appreciated.

[Taltarzac725]

My mom goes to a support group for adults with disabilities. This is out of a local church. You may want to contact some of the churches in the area if they also have groups like this. She was a special ed. teacher in Reno, Nevada.

I know some of these people work at Publixes here in the Villages. I mean the adults with various disabilities.