This letter is in response to the two Star Gazette articles regarding the Village of Elmira Heights and their quest to get Bob Sindelar to clean up his property.

I feel a need to clarify some issues surrounding Bob and his daughter Carla. Bob has, for the past 9 years, chosen to spend his entire day caring for his disabled child. His daughter Carla is bedridden, and unable to doing anything for herself. She cannot eat without help; she cannot get dressed without help. She cannot comb her hair or wash her hands or read a book or even speak. She requires assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bob has been there for Carla 20 hours a day, every day, for the past 9 years. Think of the money that has been saved by his decision not to institutionalize his daughter. Carla has been evaluated by Social Services, and they have determined that she qualifies for only 4 hours of nursing care a day. During those 4 hours Bob sleeps! He has repeatedly asked for additional help for Carla, but has repeatedly been refused. Everything Bob does, he does for Carla; and everything Bob asks for, is for Carla.

How about it Social Services and the Village of Elmira Heights, hasn’t this family suffered enough? If the two of you put your heads together, I feel confident that you could come up with a plan to give Bob and Carla a life that they could be proud to be a part of, rather than be fearful of what lies ahead. And I also feel confident that, given the proper assistance, Bob would find the time and the energy to work on cleaning up his yard.

God Bless you Bob, for sticking to your convictions and placing your child’s welfare above everything else. I pray this unfortunate situation will have positive results for both of you.

Valerie Nobles

Mother of two physically-challenged sons