Can you remember the last time you had a sleepless night worrying about the people in your life who matter to you the most?

We want the best for our families and so we are prepared to make sacrifices to ensure that they have a safe and secure future. So much of our time and effort is invested to provide them with opportunities in the hope that they will have happy and fulfilling lives.

Parents of a child with a disability undertake a labour of love everyday with the hope that they can give their son or daughter the best care and support possible.

At Cara we see firsthand how important it is for families to have access to disability support services. With your support it can also be life changing.

When Karyn was born with cerebral palsy her parents Helen and Ian weren’t sure that she would survive. In fact the doctors told them not to expect her to live longer than a few weeks. She proved them wrong.

Karyn is now 33 years of age.

As a result Helen and Ian share a strong bond. They know that they can rely on each other. Karyn needs their help to complete the basic everyday tasks. From the time they help her to get out of bed in the morning, they are supporting her every two hours. There is barely a moment during the day that is not filled with activity. Helen and Ian live a very ordered life with Karyn's needs always the priority.

All the years of lifting is beginning to take its toll on them both. Helen and Ian worry about their health and how the family will cope if one of them should fall ill.

Karyn has always lived at home with her Mum and Dad.

They are anxious about the future and are hopeful that when the time comes they will be able to see their daughter settled in her own home.

Helen has already started to make preparations by writing a book about Karyn’s life. She wants to capture the essence of her daughter so that others can understand and appreciate her true identity. How she loves to paint, and what a great sense of humour she has and how she smiles and gradually raises her hand to her mother’s face in the mornings.

You only have to see the way Karyn’s face lights up at the sound of her mothers voice to realise that this is a family founded on love.

Helen is 70 years of age and her husband Ian is 80.They are among the growing numbers of aging carers in South Australia. They all share the same concern for the future when they are no longer able to provide support and care to their adult children who have severe and multiple disabilities.

The impact of this aging group of carers and people with disabilities means that there will be an ever increasing demand for quality accommodation and respite services.

Right now, Cara is helping to meet this need by providing 34 accommodation houses in metropolitan and regional areas of South Australia where up to four people with a disability can live together with support from Cara staff.

We need your support to continue to provide people like Karyn and her family the services they need to lead independent, fulfilling lives.

As with all parents when the time comes for Karyn to move into her own home it will be a bitter sweet experience.

Helen and Ian already feel a little lost without her when she has occasional time away at one of Cara’s respite houses even though they appreciate the break and they know she is in safe hands.

However, they are comfortable in the knowledge that Cara promotes choice and opportunities for people with disabilities and their families. Cara’s active support program, skills enhancement service and community inclusion gives them confidence that Karyn will be treated as an individual.

“I don’t just want people to care for my daughter I want them to care about her” says Helen.

By making a gift today you are helping Cara to fulfill its vital mission of providing accommodation and respite to people with severe and multiple disabilities.

This means people like Helen and Ian can sleep easier at night knowing that there is hope for a better future for Karyn.

Please help Cara with your generous financial support for our accommodation and respite services.

Make your gift today.