Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 13 "Does anybody care? "Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
32 total reviews
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello, Wendy!
I am so very proud of you; wishing I could give you a warm hug = although that probably sounds naive, but it's the truth! I so admire your grace, strength of character, and perseverance to ensure that your son, Jonathan would live with the utmost care and dignity.
You simply must publish this work so that more and more people will know of the inequities in the system, and how every person deserves to be treated with care and respect.
Kudos, friend!
Fondly,
diane
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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Hello, Wendy!
I am so very proud of you; wishing I could give you a warm hug = although that probably sounds naive, but it's the truth! I so admire your grace, strength of character, and perseverance to ensure that your son, Jonathan would live with the utmost care and dignity.
You simply must publish this work so that more and more people will know of the inequities in the system, and how every person deserves to be treated with care and respect.
Kudos, friend!
Fondly,
diane
Comment Written 15-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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Thank you very much Diane. Your review is so encouraging. I do hope to publish it, but I am not sure who the target audience might be. There is a lot more to come, and exposure of quite a lot of wrongdoing, which I fear is rampant, and needs to be exposed. Thank you again.
Wendy
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Wendy,
I don't know how you managed to endure for so long. Dealing with government agencies is one of the most unpleasant things a person can do. In most cases the people you talk to are just there to get a paycheck. It would seem that part of the job description would be empathy. Special needs children need so much, and dealing with them takes an uncommon amount of patience. You were between a rock and a hard place gal. I could understand perfectly the thoughts that raced through your mind at the prospect of having to go on TV and expose a corrupt system. I'm glad it didn't come to that. Well done.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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Hello Wendy,
I don't know how you managed to endure for so long. Dealing with government agencies is one of the most unpleasant things a person can do. In most cases the people you talk to are just there to get a paycheck. It would seem that part of the job description would be empathy. Special needs children need so much, and dealing with them takes an uncommon amount of patience. You were between a rock and a hard place gal. I could understand perfectly the thoughts that raced through your mind at the prospect of having to go on TV and expose a corrupt system. I'm glad it didn't come to that. Well done.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 15-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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Yes, dealing with government agencies is not pleasant; it is very frustrating. Patience, and time, and perseverance, all needed. I so greatly appreciate your ongoing support with this story. I have written the next several chapters but it is a very draining experience as you will see. Thank you for the six stars too. An honour!
Wendy
Comment from lyenochka
Wonderful! In fact, it was nothing short of a miracle that Mrs. L was at the office on a Saturday and that she thoughtfully arranged for that man to start helping you right away! I am guessing that the ideal home was found because I know Jonathon is in a home now. Great teamwork including your husband's quick thinking!
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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Wonderful! In fact, it was nothing short of a miracle that Mrs. L was at the office on a Saturday and that she thoughtfully arranged for that man to start helping you right away! I am guessing that the ideal home was found because I know Jonathon is in a home now. Great teamwork including your husband's quick thinking!
Comment Written 14-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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You are right about it being a miracle. I intend to add an epilogue indicating all the many ways God was in our situation. Yes, he is in a Group Home now ....
Thank you for reviewing. Always appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
We all need someone to advocate for us. I know we have a group come in every Monday, I work in a grocery store, and they bring the kids in to do shopping. All the kids are non verbal, wheel chair bound, or something along those lines. I think they're from a school, but I could be wrong. I don't know if they buy for themselves, I've seen many kids buy their own stuff, or if they're buying for something else and getting their extra things while there. The people with them always seem every kind and patient. Finding a good place is hard though because you never know what it's going to be like with care and if the child will even feel comfortable there. I'm so glad you were able to find someone to at least listen to you. Everything is such a long process.
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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We all need someone to advocate for us. I know we have a group come in every Monday, I work in a grocery store, and they bring the kids in to do shopping. All the kids are non verbal, wheel chair bound, or something along those lines. I think they're from a school, but I could be wrong. I don't know if they buy for themselves, I've seen many kids buy their own stuff, or if they're buying for something else and getting their extra things while there. The people with them always seem every kind and patient. Finding a good place is hard though because you never know what it's going to be like with care and if the child will even feel comfortable there. I'm so glad you were able to find someone to at least listen to you. Everything is such a long process.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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You are exactly right, and Jonathan would doubtless have been similar to those children. I am glad the staff are kind and patient, and that the kids get a chance to do normal things as best they can. Many thanks for your caring and insightful review.
Wendy
Comment from Jim Wile
Another wonderful, though heartbreaking chapter in this story of a family's quest to care for a multiply disabled child--a person who deserves as much dignity and respect as that which any person should expect.
At last you've found someone to help advocate for your cause--a government official no less, who is fulfilling one of the proper roles of government: to protect its citizens from harm. That they are also the cause of the harm he needs to be protected from is shameful, but at least you have found a couple of individuals finally doing the right thing, and maybe greater things will eventually come of it.
How stressful for all of you involved in this situation. Jonathan was probably not aware of everything involved in this fight for his future, and it's good that he wasn't. I can't imagine the fear that would have engendered in him had he known what was planned for him had you not put up a fight for him.
What a thoroughly engrossing tale, told so well. I hope it has a happy ending. You all surely deserve one, Wendy. - Jim
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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Another wonderful, though heartbreaking chapter in this story of a family's quest to care for a multiply disabled child--a person who deserves as much dignity and respect as that which any person should expect.
At last you've found someone to help advocate for your cause--a government official no less, who is fulfilling one of the proper roles of government: to protect its citizens from harm. That they are also the cause of the harm he needs to be protected from is shameful, but at least you have found a couple of individuals finally doing the right thing, and maybe greater things will eventually come of it.
How stressful for all of you involved in this situation. Jonathan was probably not aware of everything involved in this fight for his future, and it's good that he wasn't. I can't imagine the fear that would have engendered in him had he known what was planned for him had you not put up a fight for him.
What a thoroughly engrossing tale, told so well. I hope it has a happy ending. You all surely deserve one, Wendy. - Jim
Comment Written 14-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2024
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Thank you very much Jim. Your thoughtful review is very perceptive and insightful. Next chapters soon ....
Wendy
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I don't suppose DOC's cared much whether you looked after Jonothan or whether he was stuck in a motel by himself. These organisations can often be neglectful to those who cannot speak for themselves. This happens to dementia patients who have no family, they are treated like animals. I am glad you have this fight inside you Wendy and you are prepared to battle with the authorities, I wish you luck. Another fine chapter, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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I don't suppose DOC's cared much whether you looked after Jonothan or whether he was stuck in a motel by himself. These organisations can often be neglectful to those who cannot speak for themselves. This happens to dementia patients who have no family, they are treated like animals. I am glad you have this fight inside you Wendy and you are prepared to battle with the authorities, I wish you luck. Another fine chapter, love Dolly x
Comment Written 13-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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You are exactly right. It is frequently the same with dementia patients, and not being able to speak up or stand up for oneself makes any person very vulnerable to abuse. Thank you for your caring words.
Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
We have similar problems with some state agencies. The agency that is suppose to look after the well being of disadvantaged children is one that needs to be reevaluated.
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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We have similar problems with some state agencies. The agency that is suppose to look after the well being of disadvantaged children is one that needs to be reevaluated.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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Yes, you are right - there is a lack of compassion and understanding perhaps because they feel they have to do "something" and don't think through the implications. I appreciate your supportive review.
Wendy
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
This is such an interesting story. I am amazed at your heart for Jonathan and for you zeal and your determination to find a place for him where he would be cared for and could thrive.
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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This is such an interesting story. I am amazed at your heart for Jonathan and for you zeal and your determination to find a place for him where he would be cared for and could thrive.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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Thank you very much Verna, for reviewing and supporting me in writing this story - I appreciate you a lot.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Amen! Yes, you both were his mothers. I greatly admire your willingness to go to bat for that child. Somebody needed to or he would have been lost in the system. None of God's children deserve that. Thank you for sharing this with us.
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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Amen! Yes, you both were his mothers. I greatly admire your willingness to go to bat for that child. Somebody needed to or he would have been lost in the system. None of God's children deserve that. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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Thank you Barbara. Yes, he would have been lost in the system, and there would be nobody to care - and it makes me wonder how many otheres are or were similarly lost.
Wendy
Comment from karenina
I'm so relieved that Jonathan's needs were properly addressed, albeit over a decade too late!
It begs the question did the Minister of DOCS knew all along what a knot that department is in or if your husband's great idea to bring the issue to her was a revelation.
The cynic in me is whispering she had to make this right to avoid political peril.
Thank God Jonathan had you fighting for humane care!
Something tells me he'll need that again!
Karenina
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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I'm so relieved that Jonathan's needs were properly addressed, albeit over a decade too late!
It begs the question did the Minister of DOCS knew all along what a knot that department is in or if your husband's great idea to bring the issue to her was a revelation.
The cynic in me is whispering she had to make this right to avoid political peril.
Thank God Jonathan had you fighting for humane care!
Something tells me he'll need that again!
Karenina
Comment Written 13-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2024
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Thank you Karenina - yes, unfortunately, many more unfortunate things were to happen. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
Wendy
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I suspected as much...
I'll be following!