Fostering Love Part VII: Families Caring for Disabled Loved Ones Are "Invisible" Heroes

Fostering Love: Parents win battle for disabled daughter

Fostering Love: Parents win battle for disabled daughter

Who cares for the caregivers?

Silently, with "breathtaking" devotion, hundreds of thousands of disabled loved ones are cared for by their families.

In my blog on NBC's site FamilyGoesStrong.com, I am chronicling the story of one remarkable family.

One thing that makes the story of Bridgette Famulari and the family who took her in so extraordinary is how common it is. Similar stories of a family's care for their loved one are unfolding in tens of thousands of homes and communities all over this country. Right now. The details of the Famulari's journey are indeed remarkable: This is a couple with teenagers who have taken in and foster-parented dozens of the most severely disabled children in Maryland. One of those children, Bridgette, more fragile than most, came to them as a dying foster baby who - after three thriving decades - is now their very-much-alive adult daughter with what her dad calls "that gorgeous smile."

After a three-year battle, the Famularis are preparing to move Bridgette into an excellent residential facility they chose for her. Her parents, Tom and Maryjane, now in their 60s, will then tend to their own medical needs.

Tom says his work is not done, though, that he knows too much not to continue advocating for families caring for people with severe disabilities like his daughter's. He and Maryjane consider themselves the lucky ones. There are so many families out there with no access, no resources, no advocates, no voice. Tom says it's time to think about them.

Thousands out there just like Bridgette's family

To read more about this remarkable family's journey read: Who Cares for the Caregivers?