Dendermonde (Brussels Morning Newspaper): In Appels, a father killed his disabled son and then himself, termed a “mercy killing.”This event highlights the difficulties that caregivers face, as pointed out by experts in Dendermonde.
In Appels, East Flanders, the bodies of a father and his disabled son were found on 29th October. The father, in his seventies, first killed his son and then took his own life. This is being called a “mercy killing.” The father cared for his disabled son but may have felt stressed as he got older. A doctor said the son needed more care than the father could provide, making it too hard for him to handle.
What challenges do caregivers face when caring for disabled children without support?
It has been said that In Dendermonde, a father who cared for his disabled son took on the role of the main caregiver and had little contact with professional help. This led him to believe he was the only one who could provide the best care. A doctor said that while it’s good for parents to care for their children, they often ignore their own needs and the importance of getting outside support. When they feel they can’t ask for help, it causes problems for them.
According to Verelst, though there are long waiting lists, there is enough healthcare available for families, at home and in care facilities. He points out that many people don’t know about the help they can get. Parents in tough situations need to stay strong. Verelst notes that cases like what happened in Dendermonde are rare, in his 25 years of work, he has only seen this happen twice.
