What We Need - Courtney

June 10, 2020

My name is Courtney and I am a parent of a child with disability. I am from Wilsonville, Oregon and what worries me about this COVID-19 emergency is the exacerbation of already poor communication from disability support agencies and the lack of financial assistance for families with disability. Since starting shelter-at-home, we have stopped receiving essential services, such as feeding assistance, OT, and PT. Prior to this emergency, we relied on the help of a village of people, who have all but diminished in their capacity to support our family now. I am worried about the long-term stress that this will put on myself and my partner, having to raise three children amid a global pandemic, with little support.

I know you are working on the fourth relief package for COVID-19. I want to learn more about how you are going to help people with disabilities in this package--particularly, how will you ensure that families with disability are being communicated with regarding all support services or funds available to them? Will there be funds allocated for parents who are now assuming caregiving roles, at the expense of other household or work duties? We thank you very much for your time and urge you to consider the pressing needs of our most vulnerable.