posted June 3, 2006
A recent experience causes me to present this problem to the population. It is in respect to the quality and upkeep of homes funded by the taxpayers to place the underprivileged back into society.
For example, if a patient, one that may be bipolar, is released from Moccasin Bend, not ready for the full return to the job market, he is required to spend a specific amount of time in such a facility. On a personal level, my brother, an acknowledged genius, was subject to all of these requirements. Luckily, no, not luckily, because in his earlier years he attended The Wharton School of Business, a school called by Donald Trump "the best" such school, and he graduated at the top of his class. Then he finished Vanderbilt Law School at the top. Therefore, because of his training, he could return to some job with pay. And, his family surrounded him with comfort and care as well as the legal brethren.
What of the less fortunate? This last Sunday I was needed to assist my spouse in helping her son at a local halfway home. He was dismissed by a local hospital in need of medical care, but no one seemed concerned for his well-being except for his mother and me. This man, her son, was not as well equipped to return to the labor force like my well-educated brother. He was sent back to the home in severe need of professional medical care.
I was shocked by the filthy, dirty, nasty and deplorable condition of the premises. As I understand it the owner/operator receives taxpayer funds to run a clean respectable home. Any local news agency should jump at the chance to film the premises (my wife took several photos) and show the public how the owner spends our money. The residents are generally two to a small room. Many cannot care for themselves or clean up after themselves. The bathroom upstairs, to be shared by as many as six or eight was completely unusable. Feces filled the bowl, the shower not functioning and a sign posted saying "use the bathroom downstairs. Complaints of sodomy were stated by more than one house guest.
We asked for all records on our loved one, but none were offered or received. This man, a diabetic, oxygen challenged, ( 82% capacity on 4 liters of doctor ordered oxygen) was dismissed from our local hospital without the needed care or medication. Written off as not worthy of help. Prayer was all we could ask for or be given.
The home does not check blood sugar, blood pressure or other necessary routine medical needs. Records are, or should be, required by the keeper of the taxpaid facility.
Now, the mother lives in daily fear of the soon to be made telephone call informing her that the system has "let her son go."
Where are the investigative reporters on this one?
George Carpenter
Gscgwc2@aol.com
* * *
I don't doubt the accuracies of Mr. Carpenter's experience. Those of us who have been advocates for the mentally ill have witnessed this for many years. People are routinely "released" to very marginal providers or to the "streets."
Unfortunately, people who are new to the mental health care system make some assumptions that the system actually works; it doesn't. It's a mish-mash of less than minimal services with less than adequate funding.
Unfortunately, there are no resources that Mr. Carpenter
can call on to immediatly intervene on the behalf of these poor people. The systems of checks and balances doesn't work. Mr. Carpenter, and others who care for their mentally ill loved ones, have to get very involved personally, as the individual advocate for their loved one. Then, they can cobble together a "system of care and support" for their loved one.
If Mr. Carpenter wants to file complaints, he can start with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health, Tennessee Protection and Advocacy, and the state health licensing boards. If the person is under 22, and hasn't received a regular high school diploma, their are serious grounds for complaints to the Tennessee Department of Education, local public school system, U.S. Office of Civil Rights, and other resources.
Steve Daugherty Sr.
stevedaugherty48@bellsouth.net
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