Show When a parent is unable to care for a ddU (because of drug use (or example) grandparents often step iq as id tbe actor George Kennedy and Us wife Joan the Oscar-winni- ng George and Joan Kennedy reed to actor Geoge Kennedy cuts an ttiiir grendrtughter It —mad imposing figure as he Taylor 5 stands in the living room hava a mot at a dooont upbringing a ohenoo to have aometNng whalaaema la har Via” Qaarga aaya tout that me dmiM of his home 30 miles north of Los Angeles Known to millions for his roles in Cod Hand Luke Airport and dozens of other hit films Kennedy at age 75 should be basking in a lifetime of achievement Instead he is facing the biggest challenge of his life Kennedy and his wife Joan 68have become “parents” again They adopted their granddaughter Taylor because the little girl’s mother— the adopted daughter Shaunna — cannot kick her drug habit “Our daughter committed so many crimes to support her drug use that the State of California has incarcerated her as a chronic offender" Kennedy says shaking his head "Shaunna’s been in-with drugs since she was 12 i She’s 35 now and she has been totally unable to take care of this child - Parental substance abuse— along with divorce and teenage pregnancy — are die leading reasons that grandparents take over the care of their grandchildren cording to a study conducted by the American Association of Retired Per-sons' Grandparents Information Center MIt seemed to us that Tkylor should have a shot at a decent upbringing a chance to have something wholesome in her life" Kennedy says As her father talks Taylor sits quietly oh the grand-volv- ed Grandparents7 Rights GRANDPARENTS ARE PLAYMG BIG ROUES M THBR grandchildren’ llvea According to a study by th American Aaeodation of Retired Pereone released in January four in 10 grandparents eee their grandchild weekly But do gramfrarants have a right to see their grandchildren if the parents obJectP The US Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer on a case involving Gary and Jenifer Troxel two grandparents in Washington State who sued to regain visitation rights to their granddaughters after their son’s death— and over the mother’s objections Although most states have passed laws allowing grandparents visitation rights the courts frequently have ruled those laws to be unconstitutional This )s the first time the Supreme Court has stepped In to review the issue Help Is There If You Need It NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY LOVE THEIR grandkids seniors can have trouble coping when a retired Kfestyle is suddenly replaced with dapers and play groups Fortunately help is available: Rtsoom enters The nation’s first Grandparent Resource Center— founded six years ago by the New York City Department for the Aging— offers peer counseling recreational activities and support groups These kinds of services are now offered in many areas nationwide Check the blue COVU fHOTOGKAHi IYAAXON KAfOKNIT pages of you1 telephone book tor a center near you ftponfaJfai&The American Aaeodation of Retired legal eodal health and financial isauee that grandparents face For more information write: ing the The American Association of Retired Parsons GK Dept P 601 E St NW Washington DiC 20049 send to gkOwrpArg or visit wwwurp orgconfactprogrm$glchtml on the Walk ail ill floor staring and smiling at him "We’re not people—we're rehe adds “But when you look ally not" it little Taylor bow could you not take care of her even if you are ai old as we are? She is the sweetest child and Joan and I are blessed to have her in our lives" The Kennedys are part of a growing trend A Census Bureau report released last year indicated that39 million chil- goody-two-sho- es |