SHOVELING COAL!
Beware! I am about to vent! My blessed Aunt Mary used to say our special children are sent to earth, not as punishment for them - as some may believe - but as a test for those of us who mistreat them.
With that in mind I begin.
About 2 years ago we had a regular customer in our thrift store. She was always in a hurry. Finally she told us she had an adult son, about 23 years old who was self abusive- C/P, mentally retarded - several problems. The only way she could leave her home was if her younger daughter "David-sat" with him while she dashed to the store.
On a later visit, she told us her daughter was refusing to stay with David any more - told her to get outside help. "Mom" was beside herself with worry. How was she going to go get groceries, pay bills, see the doctor for herself?
When we inquired about the father - we knew they were military - she said the father, although in the home, did not interact with David. He would not even speak to him at the dinner table. Totally ignored him.
Cutting to the chase, I connected her with DMRS who provides services for disabled in Tennessee. I suppose God was watching over David, as they (DMRS) had a representative in her home within 1 week (unheard of in TN!), and within 60 days David was placed in supported living. He was in a private home with another young man and 24 hour care! Mom was thrilled and I can only imagine the father did cartwheels on the front lawn.
Fast fore ward 2 years. David is doing well in the assisted living home. He has greatly reduced the self abuse problem and is actually out of his wheelchair and walking with the aid of a gait belt.
For those who are not military - you need to be aware that if a military person -active or retired - has a child who is dependent on them for care because of a disability that begins before age 18- that child is entitled to full benefits (health care, BX-Commissary etc) for their entire life. This entitlement is contingent on the sponsor signed the application for an ID card.A very simple process that is repeated every 4-6 years.(Did I mentioned this is at NO COST to the family? Free health care- doctors, tests, prescriptions, hospitalizations etc -FREE!)
I learned last night from David's caregiver that "Pop" is refusing to sign. That means David's health care is at an end. Finished. Over. No more.
Oh he is applying for TnCare- (medicaid) - but his primary care is done. Dad has washed his hands of his son and cartwheeled off into the sunset!
I would love to be able to afford a billboard - maybe one of these new fancy electronic ones that people are attracted to - and put this JERK'S face on it with the subtitle 'DEAD BEAT DAD DESERTS HANDICAPPED SON!
I have called The ARC of TN to see if the state can somehow pressure Dad to repay the state for David's care if he does not re-instate the insurance, but they are not sure and are digging into the legalities.
My second choice is to gather the posse and go beat the thunder out of "pop".
It just makes me think that Aunt Mary is right... there is a special section of hell reserved for those who mistreat the Davids' of the world. Shame on them!
With that in mind I begin.
About 2 years ago we had a regular customer in our thrift store. She was always in a hurry. Finally she told us she had an adult son, about 23 years old who was self abusive- C/P, mentally retarded - several problems. The only way she could leave her home was if her younger daughter "David-sat" with him while she dashed to the store.
On a later visit, she told us her daughter was refusing to stay with David any more - told her to get outside help. "Mom" was beside herself with worry. How was she going to go get groceries, pay bills, see the doctor for herself?
When we inquired about the father - we knew they were military - she said the father, although in the home, did not interact with David. He would not even speak to him at the dinner table. Totally ignored him.
Cutting to the chase, I connected her with DMRS who provides services for disabled in Tennessee. I suppose God was watching over David, as they (DMRS) had a representative in her home within 1 week (unheard of in TN!), and within 60 days David was placed in supported living. He was in a private home with another young man and 24 hour care! Mom was thrilled and I can only imagine the father did cartwheels on the front lawn.
Fast fore ward 2 years. David is doing well in the assisted living home. He has greatly reduced the self abuse problem and is actually out of his wheelchair and walking with the aid of a gait belt.
For those who are not military - you need to be aware that if a military person -active or retired - has a child who is dependent on them for care because of a disability that begins before age 18- that child is entitled to full benefits (health care, BX-Commissary etc) for their entire life. This entitlement is contingent on the sponsor signed the application for an ID card.A very simple process that is repeated every 4-6 years.(Did I mentioned this is at NO COST to the family? Free health care- doctors, tests, prescriptions, hospitalizations etc -FREE!)
I learned last night from David's caregiver that "Pop" is refusing to sign. That means David's health care is at an end. Finished. Over. No more.
Oh he is applying for TnCare- (medicaid) - but his primary care is done. Dad has washed his hands of his son and cartwheeled off into the sunset!
I would love to be able to afford a billboard - maybe one of these new fancy electronic ones that people are attracted to - and put this JERK'S face on it with the subtitle 'DEAD BEAT DAD DESERTS HANDICAPPED SON!
I have called The ARC of TN to see if the state can somehow pressure Dad to repay the state for David's care if he does not re-instate the insurance, but they are not sure and are digging into the legalities.
My second choice is to gather the posse and go beat the thunder out of "pop".
It just makes me think that Aunt Mary is right... there is a special section of hell reserved for those who mistreat the Davids' of the world. Shame on them!
posted by Joanne | 5:25 AM
1 Comments:
That just makes me so sad. I can't even fathom how a parent could just throw their child away like that.
I firmly believe in the saying.."what goes around, comes around"
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