Love and Stress In the Time of Covid-19

It’s been all around us for quite some time now, on the news, in the papers, notices of closed restaurants and businesses - the Coronavirus, which has hit New York big time and spread throughout our nation.

We as adults can do the best we can by washing hands, social distancing, not touching our faces, staying at home and so forth. But what happens to a young person with disabilities who cannot comprehend the severity and consequences of this pandemic? 

There is a young man who is developmentally disabled in my apartment building.  He lives part of the time with his widowed father and the rest of the time in a group home. I couldn’t help but overhear his father, who is in his late 60s, trying to explain to his son why he has to return to the facility for safety reasons. 

"I don't want to argue with you,” he said “You have to go back tonight in the car service. The group home feels it is much safer for you to remain there.” At this point I could only hear the father’s responses and stress level. He continued, “No, I don't know exactly when you can come back home here, we will just have to wait and see. No, you can't hang out and wait in the lobby like you always do. You will wait at the curb when the driver says he is here to pick you up.  It is not my choice. I know you are unhappy, but there is nothing I can do about it." 

That sums it up. 

This young man, in his late 20's, is used to roaming the neighborhood on his own as long as he does not go too far and comes home when expected. He is also unpredictable, sometimes resorts to temper tantrums when he does not get his own way, but is otherwise has a sweet disposition and is very friendly. 

His father is doing the best he can under the circumstances, but it is so hard for him and many others in similar situations. If there is someone you know facing such challenges, please offer to help out if you can.

—Carol K. Kennedy, Ph.D.