Parents with disabilities

[searcher]

If a parent has a disability (requiring occasional in-home treatments, regularly worn specialty clothing/apparatus) can CPS legally hold it against the parent? The disability does not in any way affect the person's parenting skills, or lessen the way they interact with the children.

I know there are certain laws preserving the rights of people with disabilities, but as many of us have learned, CPS doesn't really respect any of our rights.

(SOrry if I sound down, it hasn't been a great day here... not related to the post, though related to CPS).

Thanks.

[LanceBabe]

I don't know about physical disabilities, but they are definitely holding my daughter's mental disability (depression and bi-polar disorder) against her.

[LindaJM]

I'm so sorry I don't know all the disability laws and how they might help in a situation like this. I can only suggest that a good disability lawyer should be consulted. If you find the way to keep CPS workers from using disabilities to destroy families, please post the information here for everyone who comes in after you.

[Rhaya]

I am facing much the same, though in my case they have "proof" that my disability has hindered my parenting, in that due to my own health issues, lack of transportation since I can't drive, and lack of family support led to my daughter missing numerous appointments with her own doctor (she has the same disability, though they still are claiming no concrete proof of genetic link )

I know how rough it is, trying to convince them on one hand that you 'are' a good parent even with the disability, yet trying to explain how the lack of help for your special needs has gotten you into this predicament in the first place. A very fine balance and they'll try to trip you up at every turn. All I can suggest is finding a local chapter of the association that deals with your disability or that of the person in question, and contacting them. That's what I'm doing. Hopefully they'll be able to do something, find an advocate to help explain things more clearly than perhaps you can. I'm good with words normally, but with a courtroom full of people, all trying to take my baby away from me, I'd be sure to fumble and drop the ball. Hoping it won't come to that but after reading through some of these threads here I have my doubts my case will close without ever going to court.