Category Archives: adhd

Medicaid, still no resolution

Well, it has been a week since we learned that David’s Medicaid would be closed and that we would have to reapply in the state where the PRTF level facility he resides is located.   Still no resolution.  But we have a variety of people from the state working on it, and I am creating a case history with our state Protection and Advocacy agency in regards to this. Why? It isn’t just because he has Medicaid and they should have to cover the expenses.  He was court ordered to have Medicaid provided on his behalf until he turns 18.  The key here is Court Ordered.  That means that  a judge says he has to have it.   It isn’t an entitlement in the sense that most people are thinking.  I didn’t apply for him to have medicaid.  It came with him as part of his adoption. Where I am struggling is:

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Why do we view mental illness with negativity?

In the news each day, we see and read about people.  People like Adam Lanza, and others who destroyed the lives of many.  We never hear about the people who have mental illness yet don’t destroy the lives of others. Why?  Sure the state of mental illness, and the treatment of those with mental illness is abysmal in our country, but not all people with mental illness are bad. The things that we think and do not say. In the latter half of the 20th century there was a push to de-institutionalize.  By and large this was mostly a success.  People deserve to live in the community.  Everyone deserves that chance. However.  Have we gone too far the other way?  I know, some of my readers will rake me over the coals with this question.  But it needs to be asked. When families have no options for treatment and care

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travelling to see David, a sadness.

We live on the great plains of our country.  Northern Great Plains.  we are about 550 miles from the residential facility where David lives. I wish we had train service between here and there.  The nearest depot to his residence is like 5 hours. the last Amtrak went into Billings, MT in 1979.  With the cost of fuel the way it is, I wonder if they would reestablish it… probably not. for those who recommend bus travel, my body wouldn’t do well sitting in one place for that length of time. ah well, car it is. the kids are putting every coin they can find into the piggy bank for us to go see him.  even offered their birthday money. makes my heart sad that I can’t do better.  But my disability check only goes so far. Tweet #fighting4answrs