Support the Parks Brothers' Journey to Stability

Imagine being in such despair that you no longer even notice your environment. You become desensitized and begin to accept the unacceptable as normal. You began as the caregiver and then became the cared for, by the very ones you meant to rescue…

Imagine you are seen, you are wanted, you are loved. You find joy after rejection with two loving adoptive parents. You are taught to care for your siblings. You learn to bathe them, feed them, clean them, and protect them. Suddenly, there is only one parent. That parent falls into a deep depression. Now you and your siblings are working together to care for one another and also the one who formerly cared for you. Then, you and your remaining siblings are alone in a world you have begun to accept as normal. But it’s not. You have lost the one you loved. You have lost the one who controlled your destiny, your resources, and your medical care. You have no rights and no access to food, water, clothing, or medical care… You and your family have become isolated from family and friends. You are alone with a great deal of responsibilities and no means to fulfill them.

The Parks brothers do not have to imagine this. They have, and still are, living this reality.

Enter Johnathon, a 38 year old man with multiple disabilities, including the inability to communicate. His days are spent sitting in a dirty chair in front to a television that he

Enter Justin, a 50 year old man who has impaired speech, a cognitive delay, in need of dentures, and is a cancer survivor. He is also joyful, kind, and full of hugs. He is strong, caring, and helpful. He is blind to the chaos and filth that he lives in. Yet he holds his severely impaired brother’s hand everywhere they go.

Enter Paul, a 33 year old man who has not attended school since he was a young child. He learned to read and write from his adopted mother, obtained a drivers license and took over paying the bills when his momma became ill. He became the man of the house at a young age and lovingly took on the responsibility of taking care of both of his brothers and his mother.

My name is Robin. These three men are my cousins. I was born and raised in Michigan. I remember my aunt before she married and moved to Oklahoma. She always had a smile, a wink and a joke to share. She loved me. I was the flower girl in her wedding, yet rarely saw her after she moved away. Her beautiful young face, with the ever present smile, is how I remember her.

My husband and I petitioned and were awarded emergency guardianship of my cousins. We are passionate about caring for their needs both physical and emotional. Our goal is to ensure that Johnathon receives the 24/7 medical care that he needs, that Justin learns life skills and shares his vibrant smile and helpful personality with others through appropriate work experience and assistance, and that Paul becomes prepared to care for himself as much as he has cared for others.

All of these precious human beings need access to medical care, education, housing, food, and the opportunity to live a life of dignity around loving family. Please consider donating to this fund to provide for living expenses and legal council that will advocate for their rights to the estate, their rights to medical care, financial assistance, and a clean healthy environment where they can forge meaningful healthy relationships.

*The names of these precious humans have been changed to protect their dignity and enhance their safety.