Stockton dad setting up respite centre for disabled son
Paul Connaughton wanted to make sure his 16-year-old son James is properly looked after when the family is no longer able to care for him.
A Stockton dad says he's prepared to sell his house to fund a respite centre for North East people with special needs.
Paul Connaughton and his wife Julie made the decision after worrying about what quality of care their son James would receive when they are no longer able to care for him.
16-year-old James has cerebal palsy and both parents have found it hard to give him independence.
For the first 10 years of James' life Paul and Julie didn't receive any respite care at all.
They've had only been apart from James on a handful of occasions.
The couple's intention is to sell their current home and move onto the site in Stokesley, building a new home and establishing a special centre for up to six visitors at a time.
The centre would offer riding lessons, an outdoor play area especially equipped for disabled children and a small petting zoo.
Plans also include log cabins for the families of residents to stay and relax without being too far from their child.
Paul said: "We can't continue to go the way that we're going.
"People say 'how do you cope?' and you just have to cope.
"In reality, I think there's a lot of times that we're not coping.
"What we're trying to offer is that parents start to learn to let go, because at some stage, whether they like it or not, they're going to have to let go.
"If you do it when you're in your late 70s or early 80s and your child is 40 or 50 years old, it would be traumatic."
For anyone wanting to make a donation the family have a Go Fund page HERE.