I have always strived to succeed in life. I completed high school, eight years of undergraduate and graduate degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling, and currently am a freelance writer with Proyecto Visión. But my life experience has not been without sorrow and pain. This article explores the issues of abuse of disabled Latinos by people within their 'circle of support.' I use the term 'circle of support' to mean attendant care providers, nursing facilities, attendants, caseworkers, teachers, counselor, medical/rehabilitation services, and/or family members and friends.

After the death of my parents and, as a result of a few poor personal decisions, I was forced to live with an abusive brother for two years. My brother was a good man despite his abusive behaviors with drugs and alcohol.He was very gifted in electronics, plumbing, and more. I learned a great deal from him even though he abused me physically and emotionally. I would often wonder why he was so abusive to me.

During our time together, he would get angry with me for no particular reason. I even had to call the police on him because I feared for my life. I reported him so I could send him a message that hitting was not acceptable. My intention was not to have him incarcerated, but to acknowledge the possibility of incarceration if he continued to abuse me.

Eventually I had to legally remove him from our home because the abuse did not stop. He neglected me, and my physical needs, and the financial demands of our home. I could no longer afford to meet the bills with him in the house, so the authorities removed him. After he was removed from our home he was killed. I was saddened and angered to learn of his death at Christmas time 2003.

Abuse often results in scratches, cuts, bruises, burns, broken bones, bedsores, confinement, rape or sexual misconduct, and verbal and psychological abuse. Many abusers use fear to control the victim. For example, my brother used to say things to me like, "if you tell anyone I'm hitting you, I'll either beat you up or leave you here so that the state can force you to live in a facility." This never happened to me, but at the time, the fear was real to me.

The increasing population of elderly people and growing awareness of adult abuse has dramatically increased reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Unfortunately, I have not found statistics that separate the reported cases of abuse among Latinos with disabilities.

Laura, a home service provider employee in Denton, Texas, believes the reason there is little reporting of abuse among Latinos with disabilities is due to the close support of family members in that population. "Home health agencies and nursing homes do not have many disabled Latino clients," said Laura. "I believe that is a result of close family ties among Latino families," she added.

Laura informed me her agency does not have any Spanish-speaking employees, but if the number of Spanish-speaking clients increases, they will hire a Spanish-speaking employee.

I believe that many family members lack the awareness to recognize abuse. They also do not know where to go to report such cases. The language barrier could also deter the Latino population from reporting cases of abuse among people with disabilities.

According to Adult Protective Services, the number of abuse cases investigated in Texas increased 121 percent between 1991 and 2001. In 2001, Adult Protective Services completed 56,170 investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving adults in Texas. Of these, 40,559 were confirmed.

Neglect can be just as harmful as abuse. It can result in starvation, dehydration, over- or under-medication, unsanitary living conditions, and lack of heat, running water, electricity, medical care and personal hygiene.

Abused elderly or disabled persons may be isolated or ill; they may lack a capable or willing caregiver, or the resources to meet their basic living requirements. Any aged or disabled adult who is being abused, neglected, or exploited is eligible to receive adult protective services.

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