Jamie Rhinehart of Pittsford, right, shares a laugh with her mother Randi Rhinehart while bowling in the CP Rochester Bowling League at Fairview Lanes in Fairport. / JAMIE GERMANO staff photographer

Written by RANDI E. RHINEHART Guest Essayist

I am the mother of a beautiful young woman who is 22 years old and still living at home with my husband and me. Jamie is developmentally disabled. She was the fortunate recipient of all the benefits associated with a New York state special education, intended to help her become as independent as possible. Jamie made great progress, but her level of disability will prevent her from living without 24/7 care.

It has always been our hope that Jamie would eventually move into a group home with her friends and continue her journey towards independence. We have researched area organizations, worked on Jamie’s independent living skills, planned and prepared for several years, only to see that dream begin to dissolve as all new residential development has come to a halt.

The only “new” opportunities being put forth are for those individuals who can live with relative independence. Out of the 12,000 people on the New York state waiting list, the majority of them need 24/7 care and there are no plans to deal with this looming crisis. Many families will be facing that time when they are unable to care for their adult children with disabilities and their situation will become an emergency. How will the state handle all of these crises?

Our biggest fear is that there will be no group home in Jamie’s future. What will happen to our daughter when we are no longer able to care for her? Shouldn’t Jamie have the same opportunity for independence as her brother?

New York MUST come up with a plan for sustainable residential development for people with disabilities to address this pending crisis. There are 12,000 families counting on it!

Randi E. Rhinehart lives in Pittsford. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20120311/OPINION02/120309007/Reinventing-Rochester-crisis-making