David's Father, Author at Fighting for Answers

Medicaid, Medicaid, Medicaid, you frustrate me so….

David is adopted. He was a special needs adoption. Not because of all of the mental health concerns, but because of his race.

As part of the adoption, he was court ordered to have access to Medicaid.

It seems like every time we turn around, we are fighting for David. For things that David needs. Today I received a telephone call regarding his Medicaid.

Evidently because his treatment center is in another state, and because he is a subsidized adoption, we have to apply for Medicaid in the state where the treatment center is.

Why does it seem like every week there is a new road block to surmount?

Today, I was informed that our county will be closing David’s Medicaid, effective the end of the month and that I need to apply for Medicaid in the other state. Even though we don’t live there. Even though this isn’t a permanent placement.

Why? Because he is a subsidized adoption.

I asked, if he wasn’t a subsidized adoption, would it make a difference?

The social worker didn’t know.

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ah… David, David, David….

David is a pretty smart kid. At least when he wants to be.

Let me give you an example.

Attachment.

Now the average person wouldn’t use that word in their everyday language. David heard the term once, and immediately it became part of his lexicon. He used it regularly during the conversation.

He doesn’t know why he doesn’t form attachments to people, or why he attacks those who love him most. He just knows that since we used the word attachment today, that it is important, and he needs to use that word.

I have noted this in the past when talking with David. If we talk about privileges, he will use the word during the rest of the conversation. If we talk about attitude, he will use that word. Is it just a coincidence?

It could very well be.

I don’t think so.

For example. today we talked about siblings. How David treats/treated his siblings. For the most part he was consistent in how he treated his sister. Attacking, stealing from her, that kind of thing. I indicated that I thought it was because she was trying to parent him. So David said that he only attacks people who try to parent him. He only steals from people who try to parent him.

Shortly after this, became bored with today’s therapy session and it was ended.

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Something every parent of an adopted child fears

That someone David has never known in his life could decide that he/she wants to be a part of his life. As part of the adoption process all parental rights were terminated. But to have someone challenge the adoption. To have the adoption overturned… a fear.

Realistic fear?

I don’t think so. But I imagine that the people in this news report didn’t think it would happen to them.

What about the mental health of the child? Shouldn’t that be taken into account?