Parents of children with disabilities hang on to hope

The Parents of Children with Disabilities Coalition on Saipan, headed by president Jane Curioso, expressed the group’s optimism yesterday that their plight will be considered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after its representatives told them that the matter is on their table and now being studied.

“We’re very pleased to know that our concern is on their table. We’re hoping that they will provide us some consideration to stay and be with our children to ensure that they will continue to receive the services they need for their special conditions,” said Curioso.

Coalition members, most of their alien workers with U.S. citizen children, gathered at Susupe Park on Sunday to share their worries and concerns. The group is composed of about 60 members, of whom 34 are parents of children with disabilities in the Public School System.

Under the newly released workers’ regulation, alien workers who are unemployed could face deportation starting Nov. 8, 2011. Curioso said that many coalition parents are not currently employed due to the economic decline and the need to take care of their children.

Curioso herself, a mother of a 12-year-old child with autism, lost her job in January this year due to the bad economy. Despite efforts to find a new one, she has failed and her plight is shared by other group members.

Curioso said that the coalition will also seek the help of CNMI Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan.

Today, coalition members are also expected to meet with the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy System Inc., where they also want to seek guidance and assistance.

If it will not be possible for them to obtain improved status from USCIS, Curioso said they will then seek to extend their stay in the CNMI until at least the completion of the secondary education of their children.

“We’re fearing for the well-being of our U.S. citizen children who happen to have special needs. Once I bring my child home [in the Philippines], I know I cannot afford to provide for all the special services he needs…and I don’t want to sacrifice the well-being of my kid. I hope they will help us to stay because our children need our guidance and care,” said Curioso.

Her child receives free speech therapy, occupational therapy, and hydrotherapy provided by PSS.