There is a constant question in the minds of parents of children with disabilities about who will care for their loved ones after they have gone.

Key points: John and Sue Rumsey are "relieved" their adult son with Down Syndrome, Danny, has found a partner and is engaged

John and Sue Rumsey are "relieved" their adult son with Down Syndrome, Danny, has found a partner and is engaged They say they are "very lucky" to know Danny will not be left on his own when they die

They say they are "very lucky" to know Danny will not be left on his own when they die Danny met his fiancé Jodie Boland while working together at a local garden centre

John and Sue Rumsey have lived with this lingering doubt since they became the proud parents of Danny, a man with Down syndrome.

"In the back of your mind, every day, is 'what happens when I'm gone?'," Mr Rumsey said.

Elena Katrakis from Carers NSW said this was a common fear for carers,

"It's a real worry for parents of people with disabilities," she said.

"You really have to plan for the future."

But for Danny and his parents, the future is not so frightening anymore thanks to a little love story.

Danny works at the Welby Garden Centre which employs people with disabilities. ( ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss )

Lucky in love

The Rumseys are from Bundanoon in the New South Wales Southern Highlands, and Danny is a world champion swimmer for people with Down syndrome.

When he is not doing laps or singing with community band, The Hidden Wonders, Danny has been working at the Welby Garden Centre, which was established by Challenge Southern Highlands to offer a range of assisted employment for people with disabilities.

Danny met Jodie Boland, who has an intellectual disability, at work.

A few years ago Danny and Jodie became an item, and now the couple are engaged.

"We're not getting married just yet — little steps," Jodie said.

"Yeah, little steps," Danny said.

"Jodie's been with us about 15 years, and Danny about 10," said Tony McIlhenney, manager of Challenge Southern Highlands.

"They're both very capable individuals — always happy to do work."

When asked if relationships often formed among his staff, Mr McIlhenney said it happened frequently.

"We have about 50 people here, and they all have their likes and dislikes.

"And at the end of the day, Danny and Jodie are just two young people who enjoy being together."

Carolyn Frichot of Down syndrome NSW said social contact was an important aspect of life for people living with Downs syndrome.

"One of the biggest challenges for people with Down syndrome is social disconnection," she said.

"They just want to live their lives as meaningfully and richly as everyone else. So connection is really important."

'We've watched her blossom'

Jodie and Danny enjoy spending their time together at work and in The Hidden Wonders community band. ( ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss )

Danny and Jodie's relationship has been a delight to Danny's parents.

"When they leave work they will have seen each other all day at Welby, then they go to rehearsal with the band, then when they get home they spend an hour or two on the phone," Mr Rumsey said.

The relationship has had a profound effect on both of them.

"When they started getting serious Danny decided that he couldn't do five or six sessions in the pool every week any more, because Jodie was more important than more medals," Mr Rumsey said.

"And we've watched Jodie blossom. She's been on two cruises with us, first of all in a cabin with Sue, then she shared one with Danny.

"We love her — mostly because she's so easy to wind up."

Peace-of-mind for parents

Ageing carers can be under a lot of pressure to support dependent adult children who live with a disability.

"You're always thinking, researching, wondering whether they're going to be left on their own, and who's going to be there for them," Mr Rumsey said.

"But that's partly relieved now, because they've got each other.

"We're very very lucky."