Thanx JI, that worked for me. Good luck with ur impending move.

Not to pry too much into youur private life, but in our family , our eldest daughter suffered an accidental pre-natal head injury which left her with many physical and intellectual deficients. Due to my wife’s therapist intervention ( she was a Special Ed teacher) and lots of outside therapy, Rachel lives a happy life as a upbeat 35 year old, with a functional ability of a 3-4 year old. But, she does not view herself as “ different”. A small person( 4’6”, 70lb.s, svelte ,perfectly proportioned and a natural beauty ), she now lives in a Group Home we helped to found.

It was a labor of love, which took every bit of legal skill, search for program, , intervention and help from friends and caring government and charitable officials, “ rattling “ government agency and private charity doors etc., that I/ we , could muster.. It is/ was finally supported by State, Federal and private monies & programs. It is situated very near our home. An award winning facility, perfectly integrated into the surrounding , middle class, residential community. The whole process, from idea to a functioning Group Home, took seven years.

She lives at her new “ home” as she calls it, with her new “ family”. ( 3 other similar adults) , 5 - 6 days a week and attends a work program at the local JCC, 5 days a week. The other 1 1/2, she comes home with us to stay overnight. On our death. ( tho healthy, we are both well past Seventy) , her very supportive , 2 year younger, brother , will become her guardian and her life should continue on the same plane.

We did this so as to transition Rachel to a new home life while my wife and I were young and healthy enough to support a phased transition. As I said, The whole process, begining to end, took seven years. My son , also an attorney like me, has his own family , but can be , long term, loving and supportive and still not responsible for her everyday care.

The reason for this long personal exposition is that you have been ( rightfully and admirably) very open as to your challenges and needing a supportive environment, but functioning well within that environment. I believe you are also in ur thirties and your supportive adult is your mother, who must be at least 60+. You say this move is to get closer to family/ friends. My exposition and advice to you is to use this move as a kick-off point , for the rest of your life and to plan an environment for your self , that will be supportive but not suffocating , as your functionality is obviously very high.

Unfortunately, anti- tax, anti- “ welfare “ , anti -big government forces in Texas give that state a less than stellar reputation in supporting its citizens with physical and mental challenges ,in the best, least restrictive environment. ( NB to all u fiscal conservatives. My version of supporting programs, has proved to be , long term , most cost efficient and least overall tax drain, than ad-hoc emergency intervention and big institutional care. Not to mention much more humane.. reread the Sermon on the Mount for all you Christian ( economic) conservatives out there.). Nevertheless, if you are near a city with a big university and /or medical teaching facility, you vastly improve you chances of finding supportive programs. Best of Luck and feel free to PM my wife and me.