Inclusion Daily Express -- Mom Who Lost Custody Of Sons, Now Battles To Keep Daughter

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Mom Who Lost Custody Of Sons, Now Battles To Keep Daughter
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
January 7, 2008

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA--"That's all I ever wanted -- to be a mom."

And Sabreena Westphal has given birth to three children.

But Westphal, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, lost custody of her two young sons 20 years ago. A judge reasoned that it would cost the county too much to provide round-the-clock supervision for Westphal and the boys' father.

Now 40 years old, Westphal is fighting to keep from losing her 5-year-old daughter.

And things don't look good for her, the San Jose Mercury News reported recently.

Millions of parents with disabilities have raised their own children. But many others are still put in the position of having to prove their parenting abilities -- often to higher standards than parents that do not experience disabilities.

Some are not even given that chance.

"I tried to do everything the county said I needed to," Westphal said. "But it was never enough. Things just weren't coming together."

Related:
"Fisher: A disabled San Jose mother fights again for right to raise child" (Mercury News)
http://www.mercurynews.com/pattyfisher/ci_7827393?nclick_check=1

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