LEROY, N.Y. — Things get started early at the Scherff house in Leroy.

Ann and David Scherff like to help their son Matthew stick to his routine, starting the day by getting the paper.

Matthew is autistic and deaf, loves to paint and the lights at amusement parks and around his home.

Ann and David have five children, and all three of their sons have developmental disabilities.

They take care of their sons and are guardians of David's developmentally disabled sister.

Ann also helps get her grandchildren on the school bus in the morning.

They are caretakers 24/7.

In 2012, Ann and David were the recipients of a national program called Care Gifted, which gives full time caregivers a free, week-long trip away, a chance for them to relax and regroup alone.

The couple had not been away in 20 years.

Ann thought that trip to Maine would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, until she learned of David's Refuge.

“It was wonderful to be able to get away.  It was quiet and peaceful and just time to reconnect and not have that constant feeling of being on call,” she said.

David's Refuge plans and pays for caregivers to get a weekend away to "rest, reflect and recharge.”  Caregivers get to choose a nearby bed and breakfast, get a basket of goodies and go out to dinner.  And if they want, they get to connect with other caregivers in similar situations.

Dana Bisnett is one of the hosts in the Rochester area.

 “We share our stories and our medical stuff, but at the end of it all, it reminds you about where you started and why you got married in the first place and had these kids,” Bisnett said.