A single mother’s unending struggle raising an autistic child
Published:Tuesday | September 24, 2024 | 12:09 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
The difficulties that Chantal Wynter encounters in her quest for a better life for herself and her autistic 14-year-old son grow increasingly urgent with each passing year.
The 32-year-old single mother struggles to find a job that offers the flexibility necessary to care for her son, who has the cognitive functioning of a six-year-old.
Frustrated, she told The Gleaner that there is a “slightness” in the Jamaican system when it comes to children with disabilities. This sentiment has left her dissatisfied with the Government, which she feels is not doing enough to address the issue.
Wynter emphasised that those within the system often overlook the urgent needs of autistic children, such as their access to education. She recounted her attempts to enrol her son at Edgehill School of Special Education in St Ann’s Bay, only to be turned away due to a lack of available space.
“Why are there not more schools for children like these or some kind of programme where they can go somewhere?” she asked, noting that the challenge is especially difficult for children in rural Jamaica.
In 2018, while living in St Mary, Wynter reached out to the Child Protection Services and Family Agency (CPFSA) for assistance. She told The Gleaner that they gathered her information after asking their standard questions.
“I’m waiting and I’m waiting and nothing is turning up. I called them and they would be like, ‘Oh, you’re on a list so you have to wait’ [but] obviously nothing became of that because I’m still waiting,” she lamented.
AT A STANDSTILL
By 2022, Wynter relocated to St Ann and again contacted the CPFSA. She was disappointed that the agency had not made any progress since her initial contact with them.
“Where we are at now, because I’m still dealing with them, is to sign up for the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD),” she said.
By registering her son, he would be able to access the benefits and services of the JCPD.
“One of the aids that they were supposed to provide for him (her son) was for him to get something similar to PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education) every other month. He was supposed to get it last month [but didn’t], and I made my complaint, and they were like, ‘Oh, we’re going to sort this out and try to get back to you’,” she said.
“I understand that everything is a process, but for me having to deal with this since 2018, I do not feel confident with how they are doing things. I actually had to get really upset with my caseworker because I’m like, I’m just signing papers and nothing is being done,” she added.
QUALITY CAREGIVERS RARE
Wynter shared that she is currently unemployed and struggles to find qualified caregivers for her son while she is away from home. She noted that every time she tries to hire a babysitter, they back out as soon as they learn that her child has autism.
She explained that her son has limited speech and lacks self-control, which necessitates him wearing diapers.
“I want to work, but I can’t work because I can’t find anyone that can [babysit] him, and even if I find someone, minimum wage makes no sense; it’s not enough to get a caregiver for an autistic child,” Wynter said, noting that she has no support from her family or her son’s father.
“How am I to survive in a country where the resources are so limited and the process is so slow? What am I supposed to do?” she questioned.
NO SURETY OF APPROVAL
Wynter stated that her caseworker is working to secure a tutor for her son and provide assistance with food.
“They are telling me that even though they are requesting this of the Government, it might not be approved,” she added.
“So, what am I supposed to do if it doesn’t get approved? Because he needs to go to school. I don’t understand and it’s very frustrating,” she said, adding that her son was five years old the last time he attended school – nine years ago.
She further lamented the lack of job opportunities that would provide her with the flexibility to take care of her son and employers understanding of her circumstances.
When she applied at a business process outsourcing company three years ago, her son being 11 years old at the time, she said that although she explained the circumstances, the recruiting officer told her that her son was a big boy and could be left on his own at home.
“I was trying to explain because here I am, qualified for this job, about to start training like in the next week, and I’m being told that I can’t work here because if I don’t have someone to watch my child, I would be a difficult person to work with,” she said.
Not taking the job, she moved on to take up a security job.
“It was horrible because you have to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning to reach work at 6 o’clock and you’re coming off at 7:00/7:30 at night,” she added.
Wynter later tried her hand at being a receptionist, but this also did not last very long.
As life gets increasingly difficult, she is making an appeal for assistance in obtaining food items, clothing for her son, a job opportunity, and financial support.
How you can help
A donation can be made via bank transfer in the name of Chantal Wynter at the Bank of Nova Scotia (savings account #943060) and the Scotia Ja Building Society (SJBS) branch using the branch code 36525. She can also be reached via telephone at 876-895-3581.