Who Cares When I’m Gone?
A Solo Mom’s Plea for Equity Through Supportive Housing
OP-ED
Kari and daughter Sloan, Aaron and Sloan (far right). Photos provided
It’s about equity. As a solo mom to a profoundly disabled child: Ogden’s permanent supportive housing project gives me the hope and faith that if I die (like the rest of my fam!), she’d have other resources to care for her if need be.
Because the reality I face every day? There aren’t many (alive) caregivers for Sloan left.
I’ve accepted my mortality. But I haven’t accepted how shitty the system is for disabled adults like Sloan. We can do so much better.
So, from my mom-to-Sloan lens, she’s a prime example of the kind of human a supportive housing project might serve.
Sloan is just the cutest little kid in her hot pink chair and pigtails. But in the blink of an eye she’ll be our age, and “cute” wears off. That’s where my greatest fears set in.
Who helps her then? Who’s watching out for her when I’m dead?
Ogden’s permanent supportive housing project will help 25 disabled and chronically homeless community members. And not only with a home but with caseworker support and close monitoring to ensure it’s a supportive, enriching place to be and not just a roof over somebody’s head.
Deciding against an unsheltered facility like this says, to me, a widow by suicide and mom to a severely disabled kid, you don’t value the lives of those I love.
It says you view Sloan’s life as inferior to yours. You viewed Aaron’s need for mental health support as something that could just be thrown out on the streets.
Ogdenites deserve our support, and this is an easy way to do that.
Adults with disabilities — both visible and invisible — deserve a better system. They deserve equitable treatment.
Because, equity. It’s about Equity.