CASE 71

When G's wife left a few years ago, he became the single parent of a severely autistic teenage son and two younger children. The oldest doesn't speak, is hyperactive and very unpredictable. The younger siblings try to help with him, but most of the care falls on Dad. G works part time and handiwork jobs when he can find them. His main focus is keeping his children safe and happy. One thing that helps with the oldest son is having cable TV. The 17-year-old gets obsessed with shows, and when the cable is out, he can become out of control. G could use help paying the cable bill, and the family would appreciate a better TV.

CASE 72

T is a 24-year-old woman who suffers from severe disabilities and needs a brain operation. She is seeking help with paying for furniture and repairs at the home where she lives with her mother and 5-year-old niece. T has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a shunt in her heart. Her father left because her disabilities were too overwhelming for him, so her mother, 47, is her only caregiver. The family also needs car repairs and help with living expenses.

Profiles by Lisa Eisenhauer and Michele Munz of the Post-Dispatch.