Greg Gaver in Granger, who at 21 is eligible for only one more year of
special services from Penn-Harris-Madison schools, does some
janitorial work and volunteers at an animal shelter. He hopes one of
those can turn into a job.
“I’ve told them,” Greg says of his parents, “that I want to get
married someday.”
He has a girlfriend, also disabled, who is on again, off again, he
says. She’s special.
Greg’s mother, Debbie McKissick, more cautiously recognizes the
relationship difficulties Prader-Willi presents; friends tire of Greg
always asking them for food.
She recently wrote a letter to state Sen. Joe Zakas, R-Granger,
pleading for help and describing their two-year battle to find a place
for Greg, even if it is out of state.
“I know that this type of placement is not typical, but neither is
Prader-Willi syndrome,” she wrote. “I am not exaggerating when I tell
you that we are in crisis mode.”
Other families share that sense of fatigue and frustration.
Ann Umbaugh, of Nappanee, says her family tried to set up their
now-31-year-old son, Andy, in an apartment with another Prader-Willi
special services from Penn-Harris-Madison schools, does some
those can turn into a job.
“I’ve told them,” Greg says of his parents, “that I want to get
married someday.”
He has a girlfriend, also disabled, who is on again, off again, he
says. She’s special.
Greg’s mother, Debbie McKissick, more cautiously recognizes the
relationship difficulties Prader-Willi presents; friends tire of Greg
always asking them for food.
She recently wrote a letter to state Sen. Joe Zakas, R-Granger,
pleading for help and describing their two-year battle to find a place
for Greg, even if it is out of state.
“I know that this type of placement is not typical, but neither is
Prader-Willi syndrome,” she wrote. “I am not exaggerating when I tell
you that we are in crisis mode.”
Other families share that sense of fatigue and frustration.
Ann Umbaugh, of Nappanee, says her family tried to set up their
now-31-year-old son, Andy, in an apartment with another Prader-Willi