This evening, after doing some Christmas card writing with my wife, I came home to find an email in my inbox informing me about a diary on the Big Orange blog. This diary is part of a series called KINship, with the KIN standing for Kossacks in Need. These diaries are the result of liberal bloggers from across the nation taking to heart the fact that we are our brother and sister's keepers. They have a link up to donate money to help the folks highlighted in the KINship diaries.
The one that I've copied below deals with a Louisiana family. Lord knows that a lot of us are struggling. But if there are any lawyers or psychologists willing to help these folks out, let me know, and I'll get your information to the family. Here's the diary:
Now, I wish to highlight a very unique situation where funds are far less important (albeit necessary) than professional expertise and personal connections.
Tina* and Barry* (names changed to protect their identities) have been married about 28 years. Twenty-Six years ago, they had a daughter, Karen* and two years later, they had Katie*. Karen and Katie were both born with severe medical problems. They have a rare Leukodystrophy disorder that is listed under the types of Leukodystrophy disorders under the United Leukodystrophy Foundation.
Karen (age 26) and Katie (age 24) will never be able to live on their own. They both must use metal hand crutches and wheelchairs to get around; their skin is thick, dry and scaly. Doctors have told their parents that their own lives will be shortened by 25 years just by breathing in the dead skin that falls daily around the house. In the United Kingdom, Tina was told, people come into these patients homes DAILY with Haz-Mat suits and vacuum the dead skin. (There is a type of tub that would help their skin, but it costs a few thousand dollars and Medicaid has refused to pay for it). Karen is mildly mentally handicapped but Katie is severely mentally handicapped. Doctors are unable to estimate an approximate mental/emotional age on her because of her behavior. She throws temper tantrums, as well as hits herself in the head, etc. and is uncontrollable at times.
In addition to the disorder that their daughters share, Tina and Barry share severe pain and disabilities, and are selling their house in order to pay off all of the living and medical expenses that have accumulated. Tina suffers from anxiety and depression disorders, and has been told that she needs to seek psychiatric treatment - unfortunately, the psychiatrists provided by Medicaid won't see her until nearly February.
They really need an attorney willing to fight for Barry's disability; they also need medical treatment for their neck and back injuries; Tina needs psychiatric care and support - she is barely functioning anymore. They are living on the SSI checks Karen and Katie receive each month. They need emotional support to know that people actually care and they need financial support until he can FINALLY get approved for Disability.
I know I am asking for a lot for them, but they are just emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually overwhelmed. If you have any suggestions, please, let me know. Is it possible for them to be "adopted" by other members willing to help them through this hard time? Everyone is going through difficult times right now, but their story is one that you would not believe could happen in America.
This family lives in Louisiana. Their needs are as follows:
An attorney to fight for Barry's disability (SSD refuses to release Barry's records to their Senator, who has offered to help. She says she's never seen them do that before). He has been told he needs to return to work by 2010, or he'll lose all benefits.
GOOD psychiatric treatment for Tina, preferably sooner rather than later.
Medical treatment for Tina and Barry.
Emotional support - and I'd like your opinions here. How can we lend them some emotional support here? Ideas?
Financial support - if you wish to donate and wish the money ONLY go to this family, please send kinshipplanning@gmail.com an email letting us know the amount of your donation and the email it came from, and we'll ensure it gets directly to them.
Mover and Shaker support - do you know ANYONE that might be able to help this family out, politically or professionally? If so, please email us.
"Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free."
-Eugene Debs
If any of y'all have any answers to this, just send me an email. The link is in the far right column, right above MEDIA.
