An Oakville mother, Sally Mitzel, has expressed her deep concerns regarding the prolonged wait for her daughter, RaeAnn, who has been on a group home waitlist for nearly two decades. RaeAnn, who is 39 years old, lives with a developmental disability and functions at the level of a three-year-old.
Sally, who has taken on the role of sole caregiver following the passing of her husband five years ago, fears for her daughter's future. RaeAnn enjoys activities such as bowling, music, and walking, yet the wait for suitable housing has left both mother and daughter in a state of uncertainty. Sally highlights the primary objective of all parents caring for children with disabilities: "The objective of every parent with a disabled child is to live one day longer," she stated. Her concern is that RaeAnn may not find a suitable home until after Sally's passing.
According to Community Living Oakville, a non-profit organization focused on supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, RaeAnn is among approximately 53,000 individuals in the province waiting for essential services and supports. The organization provides a range of services including housing and day programs for those in need.
Alexandra Hoeck Murray, the executive director of Community Living Oakville, articulated the dire consequences of the current crisis in developmental services. She noted a troubling increase in homelessness, human trafficking, and inappropriate placements in hospital and long-term care facilities as a direct result of the backlog in services. The ongoing issue is compounded by chronic underfunding in the sector, as Hoeck Murray emphasized the reliance on annual ministry funding that has not kept pace with the rising cost of living.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, while acknowledging the issue, indicated that it has invested $3.7 billion in developmental services this year. This funding is said to support approximately 19,000 adults through supportive living services across more than 240 developmental services agencies. The ministry also announced plans to support the establishment of two new facilities for adults with disabilities in Hamilton and Toronto.
Despite these efforts, Mitzel believes that more is needed to address the overwhelming demand for services. She questioned the equity of resource allocation in society, expressing concern over a system that allows significant funding for war while individuals with developmental disabilities remain in limbo. "It’s unfortunate that there is a waitlist and why that is in a society where people have billions of dollars to spend on war?" she remarked.
