Rebecca Harrington takes care of her adult brother, an individual with disabilities. She intends to be his chief caretaker for the foreseeable future. She does not see her commitment to her brother as noble, or even special. In fact, she insists, “Not everyone is as lucky to have a person with disabilities in their lives. He teaches me how to take life in. He is always happy. He doesn’t judge, and we need that more than ever today.”
As the youngest of the sisters, Rebecca says Michael, who turns 28 in November, and her were always close growing up. “Obviously he didn’t need me then like he does now.” Rebecca left home for New York during her 20s. As her parents aged, she felt the pull to return home, help the family, and ensure Michael’s care well into the future.
“Michael is a force,” Rebecca says. “When he enters a room, he takes over and fills it with a positive energy. He transforms every space he enters.”
Michael attended BCArc’s day program, the Center for Development, before the COVID pandemic, and will eventually return when the program opens to full capacity. Meanwhile, the parents help with Michael when Rebecca goes to work, particularly now with Michael staying out of his day program.
“While my Dad is retired, he likes to repair lawn mowers,” Rebecca says. “Michael works for him, bringing the mowers to customers when they come to pick them up. While tips weren’t expected, everyone seems to tip Michael. He’s doing pretty well.”
Support from BCArc
BCArc staff provide a range of support for Rebecca and her family as part of the Adult Family Care program. “We are pretty self-sufficient, but I look to Ida when we face new challenges,” Rebecca said of Ida Patella, their case manager. “When COVID hit, we counted on BCArc for an array of health care issues, including keeping current and accurate with information.”
“They are very capable advocates,” said Ida. “No one can know what Michael needs more than the family. We are there when they need professional advice in terms of maneuvering through the bureaucracies, or health care guidance through Angie Raciti, our nurse who works with the family.”
Enjoying Life
Before the virus, the brother and sister were much more active together, and Rebecca looks forward to getting Michael into the community again. “We have a lot of property, so he’s out and about a lot. He will pick flowers and bring them to me as a present. But then he eventually takes them back,” she said, laughing. “He gives me a lot of gifts and eventually takes them back. When we go out to eat, he always makes me pay, though we both know he has money. We’re working on it.”
He is fluent in sign language and has taught the BCArc staff some of his own signing. He loves music and often signs the lyrics to his favorite songs. He has an impressive matchbox cars collection, which he is proud of.
“I made the choice to adapt my life around his, and not the other way around,” Rebecca says. “He’s totally worth it, and not just because he’s my younger brother. He’s so great and I’m lucky to have him.”
