Kealan O'Brien's mother, Karen Canning, is spokesperson for the National Parents & Sibling Alliance representing 50 groups connected with mental handicap, and is chairperson of The Parents' Future Planning Group. The group recently published What Do I Do Now? a booklet to assist parents on hearing that their child has special needs.
The group is trying to highlight the need for day care and/or education beyond the current statutory age of 18, for residential care and for respite care.
At the moment, there is a shortfall of 800 residential beds in the Republic and an ongoing need for respite beds for families like the O'Briens. They are just one of thousands who want to look after their child for the foreseeable future, but need regular breaks to help them to do so - and continue to function as a viable family unit.
What Do I Do Now? is available from maternity hospitals, GP's surgeries and health centres.