A discussion on aging for individuals with disabilities. W5’s Sandie Rinaldo explores a tough, heart-breaking subject: families coping with severely disabled children. As they grow to become adults the care and support they’ve received – often around he clock – is lost. 

When Deane Daprato was born in Toronto in 1998, his parents Mark and Ijeoma were given a frightening diagnosis: Spastic Quadriplegia, a type of cerebral palsy. Over time, Mark and Ijeoma realized Deane would never be able to walk, talk, and feed himself, or do anything on his own. His stiff muscles would have to be regularly massaged; even swallowing and breathing would need to be closely monitored. Caring for Deane would be a challenge.

W5 first caught up with Deane Daprato when he was six-years-old and a day student at what was then called Bloorview McMillan Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in the 2005 episode titled "Help and Hope." 

When Dean Daprato turns 21, he will age out of system of funding and services that provide him with the help that he and his family rely on. No access to school, or the team that made life easier for Deane and his parents.

It can take decades for severely disabled Canadians to get into group homes. But in B.C., there is a new approach to providing care. There is a focus on Microboards as a positive action – Jeff Moulins and Linda Perry from BC share their thought on how to face the future with a more assured, positive outcome.