‘ I will do everything in my power to make sure this does not happen,’ says Helen
HELEN Hamilton has been using the Solas respite centre since it first opened in 2009.
Her son Niall ( 21) needs 24 hour care and help with things most of us take for granted, like dressing, feeding and using the toilet. Mother- of- three Helen from Dromahair lost her husband in 2004 and has relied on the respite service for Niall all his life.
“I usually got respite about once a month and it is vital for him as well as me. He is limited on what he can do in the house. He enjoys going to Solas and loves the people who work with him.” Helen says: “I’m furious that it is to close for good and in the meantime while it is closed I will still be fighting for respite for Niall. I was told by the HSE that it was to open again. I will do all in my power to make sure that this does not close for good.”
Helen who works part- time in the Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown stresses that respite in the home does not work.
“I already get six hours a week in the home but it is not the same as getting a break away from Niall. Also Niall needs the change of scenery, to do something else in a special fully supported facility like Solas.” Helen vows: “I will protest, I will demand to meet the Minister and I will fight to save this very vital service for families like ours.”
Likewise Jackie Wynne from Tracey Avenue in Sligo is determined to fight for Solas Respite service. Her daughter Leanne ( 23) has Cerebral Palsy and is wheelchair bound.“Leanne needs 24 hour care. She loves Respite. Since it opened she might go a few times a year. It gave us peace of mind to know she was being looked after. It was also her break away from us. It is very important to us. It is nice to know that it is there as a back up. We were very happy with the level of professional care. Now, we have not got respite since last September. That was the perfect place for her.”
Jackie adds: “Respite in the home would not work. I would feel like I had to leave the house to give them the house.”