Jenny Hatch, a 28-year-old woman who has Down syndrome is going to court to battle her mother and step-father over where she will live. She wants to live with friends but her mother thinks she should live in a group home. A judge granted her mother temporary guardianship and a May 1st trial date has been scheduled.
This story breaks my heart. I'm sure there are facts about the case that aren't being reported. No one can know the real truth about the relationship between Jenny and her mother, or the reason Jenny's mother thinks she should live in a group home. I also wonder what the motives are behind the couple who are advocating for Jenny to live with them. Since the case is going to court, outsiders are weighing in with opinions. Most of what I've read on disability sites support Jenny's right to choose for herself. Yes, I believe everyone has that right, but I also question what the circumstances are. I hope the judge takes the time to find out what is really going on here. Whether or not someone needs a "guardian" as an adult is an extremely complicated and difficult decision. My heart goes out to everyone involved...
This story breaks my heart. I'm sure there are facts about the case that aren't being reported. No one can know the real truth about the relationship between Jenny and her mother, or the reason Jenny's mother thinks she should live in a group home. I also wonder what the motives are behind the couple who are advocating for Jenny to live with them. Since the case is going to court, outsiders are weighing in with opinions. Most of what I've read on disability sites support Jenny's right to choose for herself. Yes, I believe everyone has that right, but I also question what the circumstances are. I hope the judge takes the time to find out what is really going on here. Whether or not someone needs a "guardian" as an adult is an extremely complicated and difficult decision. My heart goes out to everyone involved...