Silvia D. (66) has been caring for her disabled son Markus since his birth 47 years ago and has even postponed a necessary knee operation twice in order to continue to care for her Markus. A planned holiday for the 66-year-old is in danger of failing due to the rejected travel allowance.
Silvia D. would like to have a spa treatment in April. The 66-year-old from Gramastetten has been caring for her severely disabled son Markus since his birth 47 years ago. Now the hoped-for breakthrough is in danger of failing. “It often almost makes me cry that after so many years you can’t even give yourself a little rest,” says the mother.
According to Silvia D., the fact that the treatment for the Mühlviertler woman will probably not work is due to a decision by the state of Upper Austria. Son Markus lives largely with mother Silvia in Gramastetten. The 47-year-old has been spending short periods of time in a residential facility in St. Peter am Wimberg for three years. “So he can get used to it and not have to suddenly move if I can no longer do it,” his mother explains.
No travel allowance
During the day, Markus visits a daycare center in Linz, where his mother drives him herself. And that’s the route it’s all about: When the 66-year-old is in treatment, Markus needs a transport service that takes him about 30 kilometers from the residential facility in St. Peter to the daycare center in Linz and back again. Trained saleswoman Silvia D. applied for a travel allowance from the state, but the application was rejected.
“When selecting services, the wishes of the person with disabilities must be taken into account, as long as they do not entail economically unreasonable additional costs,” explains the responsible state department in response to a “Krone” request. There is an internal guideline that specifies this as follows: Travel costs may not exceed the costs of the measure. This is the case with Markus because there is no existing bus tour, but a one-way trip would be necessary. Instead, they are offering to arrange temporary accommodation in Linz for the 47-year-old while his mother is undergoing treatment or on holiday.
The offer is unreasonable
“The offer is below the drawer,” answers Silvia D. Markus is used to living in St. Peter, so a sudden move to Linz is unreasonable for him. A medical certificate would also prove this. “But Markus has to put up with everything because he cannot express himself. Many people abuse that.”
If the vote remains ‘no’ on the travel subsidy, Silvia D. will not go on holiday in April: ‘A private driver is much too expensive.’
Also read the comments of “Krone” editor Philipp Stadler on this topic:
Informal caregivers are heroes
People who care for their spouse, sister, or children do unimaginable things: they put their own needs behind those of their family members for years, often decades.
Side aspect: This means that caring family members, many of them women, also save the general public a lot of tax money, because their loved ones’ stays in nursing homes would likely be much more expensive. Conversely, just like with Mrs D., every euro is apparently turned over twice.
True appreciation for the selfless work of caring family members looks different.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
