‘God’s plan’: After three-year wait, NC family secured disability housing for their son
When Doug Watson finally got the call that he’d secured long-term disability housing for his eldest adult son, Tommy, at Raleigh’s TLC, he broke down in tears.
After a three-year wait, he finally had peace of mind.
“The biggest thing is the security,” said the 67-year-old father of four who relocated with his wife, Terri, from Pittsburgh late last year and have other adult children living in the area. “We know that TLC isn’t going anywhere. Somebody is always going to be able to take care of Tommy.”
Tommy Watson, 35, has cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder affecting motor skills. He’s mostly blind, can’t walk or talk, and has a feeding tube. He requires around-the-clock care for simple tasks like getting dressed and bathing.
This month, the family moved him into TLC’s newly opened 7,800-square-foot intermediate care facility for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It’s equipped with high-tech medical equipment — like lifts, safe sleeping beds and bathtubs — the first phase of a $9.8 million project to expand and renovate the nine-acre campus at the end of Chappell Drive off of Avent Ferry Road. The nonprofit is renovating two other existing facilities on its 30-bed campus.
Tommy Watson is among the first residents. “We’re so grateful. It’s God’s plan,” Doug said. “I did a lot of leg work and due diligence. They’re not all like TLC.”
A growing need
TLC, formerly known as the Tammy Lynn Center, was founded in 1969 by three families who wanted to improve local options for children with IDD. At the time, most families had two choices: institutions or at-home care with little outside support.
Today, the nonprofit serves nearly 1,400 clients with disabilities like autism and Down syndrome, providing services in residential care, therapy, education, early intervention and respite care. Programming is funded by Medicaid, state dollars, philanthropy and contracts. Residential care costs nearly $230,000 per person annually.
For most families like the Watsons, it’s beyond their means. But demand is surging, said TLC’s chief executive, Sarah Crawford.
In North Carolina, nearly 18,000 people are on the waitlist for essential services like those provided by TLC, Crawford said. More than 67% of them don’t receive any services “due to the lack of funding.”
In Wake County, 2,798 individuals are on the waitlist — the highest of any county, she said. TLC has a waitlist of around 100 individuals.
“We’re talking about individuals with incredibly complex medical needs,” Crawford said. “In this building alone, we distribute over 300 medications to clients in a day.”
“We do a lot of advocacy work to get those slots funded and folks off the waitlist into the homes they deserve,” she added.
In recent weeks, White House officials and Republican congressional leaders have teased plans to significantly reduce Medicaid funding. Such cuts could impact people who receive care at TLC.
Crawford admits she’s concerned, but remains steadfast. She called TLC’s new facility “a blueprint” for the future of disability housing in the state and plans to expand.
“This is the first step,” she said. “With continued advocacy, we can ensure that these services stay intact.”
‘It’s home’
For the Watsons, TLC is “now home.”
Inside Room 155, a giant customized “Tommy” pillow hangs over his bed, and Kansas City Chiefs gear lines the wall — including a cardboard cutout of his younger brother, Justin Watson, a Chiefs wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion. Just days after moving Tommy into TLC, the family flew to watch Justin play in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
Doug Watson said both milestones filled him with joy. But he quickly flew back to be near his eldest son. While Justin is the family’s star athlete, Tommy is its heart and soul, he said. “He’s been a blessing. Our family wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for Tommy. He just made us.”
Now they have a place to come together. In the corner of Tommy’s room, a built-in bench offers a place for visitors to gather. A La-Z-Boy recliner is on its way, Doug said. “When my wife’s here, Tommy loves snuggling with her. I’ll pick him up and put him next to her. He’ll be as happy as can be.”
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This story was originally published February 24, 2025 at 5:15 AM.
