Prayers and Advocacy

Lately, I've been praying that the Lord would really impress on Dr. Rooker (the psychiatrist) and Dr. McCrady (medical director at NR) what to do that will really help Mike be on a sustainable, even keel.  Up until now, every medication change has not made a lasting difference and it seems that somehow, someway, there is something that will make a difference. Obviously I don't know what that is and neither do any of the therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, physiatrists, PCP's or any other doctor that has seen Mike in the last 19 months. God is the Master Physician who created these amazing bodies of ours so He knows exactly what Mike needs. Please, please, please pray this prayer with me. We need a calmer, more easily managed Mike both for him and all those around him, as well as, in order to find a placement for him.

State Hospitals are area specific, difficult to get into, and frankly the last resort in my mind. Mike is so much worse when he is more restricted. Training Centers are for the ID patients. (Intellectually Disabled prior to age 18).  Assisted Living Facilities need Mike to be able to do more on his own. My Mom and I visited a really nice one just 30 minutes from here called Helton House. They do not have any openings, plus Mike needs more supervision than they are equipped to provide. They do have ID houses, but again....see above.

I did contact one nursing home, Berry Hill, this week in South Boston, VA that has 2 TBI patients already. I did not get into details over the phone, but I sent the admissions office the summaries on Mike. Yesterday I called to see if my packet was received, but had to leave a message for Tracey.  Please, please, please, pray that if this is God's will, they would be willing to take Mike. I hope to speak with Tracey at the beginning of the week and try to visit their facility this week also.

I just returned from a day spent in Richmond at a TBI Caregiver's Forum. It was good, OK, actually some of it was sort of depressing.  There just isn't much help out there for our TBI survivors or us and while there is a lot of information, websites, and resources, everyone's situation is so different that there is no clear path to follow.  I guess I should be encouraged by some of the stories of how other's loved ones have recovered, but honestly right now it feels like that will never be us.  HOWEVER, there is always HOPE with GOD.   Matt. 19:26 "...with God all things are possible."  Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God."

I am more energized to write to our Virginia state legislators and would appreciate any of you other VA residents writing as well.  Just go to virginiageneralassembly.gov and in the middle at the top click on "who's my legislator?", on the next screen, type in your address and their names will pop up, plus a bar below where you can click and send a message right there. The major need is to have brain injury included in the waiver system and funding to be available to brain injury survivors. The Executive Director of BIAV, Anne McDonnell, was a great speaker and said the reason we aren't getting the funding is because we aren't making enough noise. Time to visit and write to my legislators.  All help appreciated.

The search will continue and the fight is on.