Three Siblings’ Perspective

By Maureen Durkan, Anne Pichette and Mary Durkan
The Voice * Winter 2011

Our “little sister” Sharon is the youngest of seven children, four girls and three boys. She is the light of our lives and has taught us about love, compassion and giving to others. She does not know what hate is; she is innocent, sweet and kind.

Our parents wanted to keep Sharon at home, but she took up most all of their time and they had six other children to raise. Sharon needed 24/7 supervision; understandably, her high care needs were stressing the family out.  We suffered from sleep deprivation in those days.

Sharon had one out-of-home placement before she went to live at Fircrest ICF/MR (“Residential Habilitation Center”(RHC)), where she has been since 1974.

None of us will ever forget what a challenge it is to care for our sister who is profoundly developmentally disabled.  We don’t want other individuals, or families to suffer without proper services for their loved ones. Our state RHCs are a godsend. We need them as part of our continuum of care for all citizens with developmental disabilities to be able to access. We advocate for these services all the time with VOR, Friends of Fircrest and our state organization ActionDD.

Now it is our turn.  Read More.