To anybody who is sitting on the board at Brighton Town Hall tomorrow and has a vote to decide if people with learning difficulties should pay for their own day care, please read the following as it is written from the heart:

Forty four years ago, a male baby was born in Brighton. He weighed little more than 3lbs.

This child was christened shortly after birth by a nun and wrapped in baco-foil as he was not expected to live 24 hours.

After the birth and travelling in an ambulance to a children's hospital in London, his head swelled to such an extent that the accompanying doctor removed his belt and strapped it round the baby's head, trying to stop the swelling.

This child was strong, wanted to live and survived.

He was also left with severe epilepsy and learning difficulties requiring 24-hour care for the rest of his life.

He was lucky. He was born into a loving family with mum, dad and two sisters.

Over the last seven years he has seen his beloved mother die a slow, painful death at 59, followed five years later by his father, just 66 years old.

This left his two sibling sisters who had never known life without their brother. Both have families and neither wanted residential care for their brother.

One sister had financial commitments and was unable to have him so he moved in with the other sister.

Her life revolves around this demanding brother, the only respite being the day centre he attends.

The sister he now lives with has no job or social life as neither fitted with the brother's routine.

This is one sister and family who have no savings and can foresee not being able to afford this, should it be passed.

This is also one sister who could not cope if her brother did not attend his day centre.

Anybody who has a vote on this issue, please think of the families and carers of these people.

Please do not force us into a corner where residential care will be our only option.

-Name and address supplied