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Updated: 9:37 AM Dec 30, 2008
Saving Gabe
Staunton, Va. A Staunton woman is running out of options to find help for her mentally ill son. Posted: 4:50 PM Dec 29, 2008Reporter: Philip Townsend Email Address: ptownsend@whsv.com |
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I am Gabes step dad and have been the only real dad that he has known. I do not have anyhting to do with any of the opinions of the other people of this website; I just want to be part of Gabe's life and continue to be a role model and a dad to him. I only want whats best for gabe and nothing else. I have been there for him for eights years and will continue to be there for him and do whatever it takes for him to be happy and succesful in the coming days, months, coming years and the rest of his life. Being said that i have not posted anything on this website before. Just remember it is all about Gabe and what is best for him.
If you care about the future of at-risk kids & their health, please plan to attend the public hearing on Monday, January 19th at 1:00 PM in Richmond at the General Assembly building, House Room D. This might be the last chance to petition lawmakers to continue funding for CCCA and the safety net it provides for desperate kids. E-mail Virginia Senator Charles J. Colgan at district29@senate.virginia.us also to show concern for inadequate planning for privatization of childrens mental health care. Private providers are NOT REQUIRED to take at-risk kids. Without CCCA, they may have nowhere to go for care.
The timing you have is quite questionable. Was it after you seen the news you decided to visits? I was working this is as you brought the Christmas gifts in January. Accusing, jumping to conclusions, vehemently attacking someone when other children are indeed of help is foolish. This indicates your own level of concern is on yourself and not on the children. You proved that you lack the ability to acknowledge contradictions in your own logic even when its laid out plainly for you.
I would think having two parents in Gabe's life would be the best thing for him. But Julie still to this days chooses to act selfish in her acts. Why don't we ask her where Gabe spent almost all his time until she sees that she can have the spotlight on her now for this. I know alot more to this story I am sorry I have no repect for her. She has done nothing but leave Gabe many times so that she can tour the US to snowboard and didn't care about that at all. When the real parent has been his father. And now when she finds out that she keeps Gabe dad in the picture that it might cost her money she pushes him out of Gabes life. So who is this really about? To me Gabe would benfit from have a the guy that he has called his dad for 9 years in his life which IMO is the most stable person in his life. And now Gabe has been to sent another place for the next 3 monthes but Julie you should have lots a time to focus on snowboarding now.
More about Gabes story at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=444716080
The public meeting held yesterday at CCCA revealed gaping holes in Virginia's plan for closing this facility. There were so many unanswered questions it would be laughable if it were not truely a life-or-death situation for some of these children. It may also be a life-or-death situation for you & me and our kids if the center closes and these children are released into the community. The proposed privatization does not require these providers to take troubled or violent youth. "Children First" is certainly not reflected in this plan. Let's cut something else from Virginia's budget and give these needy children the help they so desparately need.
I just wanted to join the discussion and say that I know Julie and Gabe personally and I find the personal attacks disturbing. Julie has been dedicated to finding answers and being there for Gabe. I have been Gabe's childcare provider for several years and have witnessed first hand the struggle to find the help needed. Gabe is so much more than the struggle he is having and I hope and pray that the help we all so desperatly need for him is not taken away.
You did say your story was far more complex would you like to explain? Also is there a father or are you a single mom having to fight this fight on your own?
I was told he will only be eligible after he is out of the home for 30 days, consecutively. Jan 18th will be 30 days he has been hospitalized. It’s not often any of us will use the limited allotted mental health inpatient benefits our private health insurance provides. It’s even more shocking how fast you are pushed out the door of a private hospital when those days are used regardless of severity or even age. CCCA isn’t something most of you will ever need however for a few of us, it is the last thing we even have…
Why can't this child be declared disabled, and then Medicaid eligible?