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5/3/10

So much has changed…

Since my last post.  I’ve wanted to update my blog, but haven’t had the energy to.  I still don’t, but I felt like blogging, so here goes.  ;)

I had written two posts previously, but took them down for several reasons, so I will try to explain what has transpired since we moved from D.C. to Shreveport. 

When we moved to Shreveport we could not get any appointments for Eli for med management.  He was starting to have problems with his medications, and changes were needed..but we had no doctor to help us.  I literally called every single psychiatrist in the Shreveport/Bossier City area and most were not taking new patients or they didn’t see autistic patients, or they didn’t have any appointment times available for months.  There was just NOTHING.  ANYWHERE.  When I realized we would have to start driving to Dallas for appointments, we decided enough was enough and Norman and I did all the paperwork for an EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)  reassignment (a compassionate reassignment for medical reasons).  That process shot us straight into the pits of hell – AKA Barksdale Medical. 

The bottom line with that is that the base didn’t like Eli’s diagnosis and the amount of therapy and medical oversight, so they simply took away his autism diagnosis.  Process that for a minute – they didn’t like Eli’s diagnosis, so they TOOK IT AWAY.  Want to know what government healthcare looks like folks?  That’s a picture of it right there.  But this country wanted government oversight, and they surely will get it.  But I digress.

So because they didn’t like our form, they filled out their own paperwork, which they have no right to do and no regulation exists that gives them the right to throw out the parents paperwork, make up their own CRAP, and force us to sign it.  So we didn’t sign it. 

From there I started filing Congressionals with every Congressman and Senator in Oklahoma and Louisiana…and due to the fact that the med group had stooped so low as to send their family advocacy people into my son’s school to “observe him” (as per their own admission), talk with Eli’s teachers about him and his behavior (which is against privacy laws since we didn’t authorize the exchange of any information).  We had to get Eli out of the school and away from those people who were harassing us.  They were starting to insist on home visits, because based on one visit with Eli they decided that he was fine and that we were the problem.  They disregarded hundreds of pages of medical documentation, and made up their own diagnosis and treatment plan to suit them.  So I took Eli and Chase and came to my parents so Eli could finish his Kindergarten year up here. 

The Congressionals have sparked an investigation, so from that end, they are having to deal with the consequences of committing medical malpractice – I assume doctors changing someone’s diagnosis because they can’t treat them constitutes medical malpractice.

On the reassignment end we still haven’t heard anything…we should know in a week or so if they approve or deny it.  We do have a plan B in case it is denied, and honestly, with the way the military has handled every medical situation thus far, I’m expecting it to get denied.  But I’ll update this as soon as we find out…  Thanks to all of my friends who have been so supportive and who have given me so much love and encouragement.  It’s been hard and I know I couldn’t have done it without you. 

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update. I've been thinking about you guys. Hope Kindergarten is going well for him.

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  2. Stacey,

    You know that saying what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger? Well, you are one STRONG, BRAVE, woman and a great mom, sacrificing so much for your child. God will bless your hard work. I hope you have been able to have some fun since you're in Oklahoma? What town are you in? How far is it from Tulsa?

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  3. All I have to say is: ((((HUGS!!!)))

    AND, don't let those idiots make you second guess what an amazing mother you are to your kids. What do they know?!?

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  4. Been wondering what was up with you. I can't believe you are having to deal with this stuff! That is just ridiculous! Sounds like malpractice to me! Hope everything gets worked out soon.

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  5. Thank you all so much. The waiting is driving me insane, but we will survive.

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  6. Hey, if you come to Tulsa, don't forget your cousins!! :) I hope things are better for Eli. I'm sorry that you have to be separated from Norman, I know that doesn't make this situation easier. We're still praying for you guys. Love you!

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  7. I read everything and appreciated seeing it all in one spot. Things will smooth out soon.

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