"My disabled daughter's respite"

I have an adult daughter who has down's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis in her knees and hips, she also has gallstones and hearing difficulties, ADHD and anxiety issues.

My daughter is always with me at home and mainly spends her time in her room, she is very attached to me and doesn't want me to go out for shopping without her but she just wants me to stay at home.

She started going to Thornton Gardens last year before it became a care home for adults with disabilities. She liked it but wasn't sure, then recently it's became an adults with disabilities care home and she goes for respite. She's actually going and sitting in the dining room with everyone instead of having dinner in her room, as she does this at home, and she went to the lounge and went and joined in doing art in the art activity room.

The staff are great with my daughter, she gets lots of hugs and she's happy to tell me who they are. I've never seen her come out of her shell so much and they take her to activities - ie cinema, out for walk, bowling etc.

I can go away for my wee break knowing she's getting well looked after and also the fact she's happy for me to leave her for once, the staff love her and have lots of patience with her and she's even got a soft spot for the cook.

I'm so glad I got my daughter in to this respite, it gives me a break from my her, which I need at times, and also gives her a wee break without me. I'm much happier now and the fact my daughter's happy to go to respite is a bonus and the staff are so friendly and helpful to the parents.