Posted on: Saturday, December 14, 2002

CHRISTMAS FUND
Single mom would appreciate toddler bed, potty

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

"R.B." is a single parent of a physically challenged 3-year-old girl and a healthy 2-year-old boy. She lives with her mother, stepfather and sister in a one-bedroom cottage.

Twenty-year-old R.B. has been trying to save money for the deposit on her own place, but her finances will become tighter at the end of the month when she loses welfare assistance.

The crowded situation causes family conflicts, she said. R.B. sleeps on a futon mattress on the floor with her kids.

She stays home to care for her eldest child, who has cerebral palsy and is also hearing-impaired. Through signing, she is able to communicate with her daughter.

"I'd like to get my son off the floor and toilet-trained," R.B. said. "A toddler bed with rails will allow me to put my son to sleep in a safe place so I won't have to worry about him wandering off at night while I'm asleep."

She is also in need of a training toilet seat for the boy.

"My daughter has complicated special needs and she'll be in diapers the rest of her life," R.B. said. "But I want to potty-train my son to save money on diapers. I'm spending about $100 a month on diapers for both of them."

R.B.'s caseworker said the toddler bed and training potty will go a long way in enhancing the growth and development of the children. Additionally, the money R.B. saves on diapers will allow her to move into a more nurturing and loving environment, the social worker added.