Eaglehawk couple Carolyn and Michael O'Sullivan wrote to the Bendigo Advertiser after reading the story of 'Christine' whose disabled son was forced to sleep on a police station floor due to a lack of emergency accommodation in Bendigo.

The O'Sullivans care for their disabled daughter, Holly, 19, which has placed a huge financial and emotional strain on the family.

''I empathise with Christine and her plight. Many do not believe that there is nowhere for our adult, disabled children to go when they are aggressive or impossible to manage.  Unfortunately, it is true,'' Carolyn wrote. 

The O'Sullivans say the Department of Human Services lists Holly 'a high priority' for supported accommodation but she has been on a waiting list for three and a half years.

Their pleas for help to the DHS and other service providers have been fruitless.

The couple is adamant the present supported accommodation model is not working and many parents were being let down by the system. 

''We need purpose built facilities, like villages, or nursing homes (but not for the elderly) with nursing staff, disability workers, even doctors/specialist available on call,'' Carolyn wrote. 

The O'Sullivans said people should not confuse 'facilities' with 'institutions' and they were not promoting the return of non-­inclusive-type accommodation. 

''I am referring to the need for places that can suit the needs of a wide variety of disabled individuals, including those with highly complex needs, such as my daughter, and Christine's son,'' Carolyn wrote. 

''Unless we look at the failing model and try to do something about it, this country is facing a problem that is not going away. 

''Parents and carers are burned out, and tired of being paid a measly $124 per fortnight (carer's allowance) to care for our children, night and day. 

The O'Sullivans said a taskforce to deal with the crisis was the only solution. 

''Safe, supportive, supported accommodation is the right of every disabled individual, and it is about time the community recognised what is going on in this sector and began to come up with a model that works,'' Carolyn wrote. 

''I plead with this community and to those in the position to make change... open your eyes. See what is really going on without the desire to gain votes or favour with your local member of parliament, councillor, or state leader.

''Do something because it is ethically the right thing to do.''

Read the full text of Carolyn O'Sullivan's heartfelt letter in Review on pages 22-23.