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- Member
Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:27 pm
Hi everyone,
Hope you are all well.
Sorry I have not been around much but been horrendous at home these last few weeks.For now I would prefer to keep the circumstances behind it all private but developments these last few days have opened my eyes and various aspects I want to post here to see if anyone else has experiences they can share.
The gist of it is,my brother has hurt someone.They are doin ok now ( no medical attention was needed )but obviously there are consequences and it is what we have to face next week that is breaking my heart.As strong as I am,god only knows where I am going to get the strength from next week.I think I dont have any more tears left in me till phone goes and I have to explain everything from scratch again.
So,after this incident, we were told that a hospital admission for him was a necessity but,and this is where the fun started.
Emergency team from local hospital were called out ( mental team ).They said they were not equiped to take him as they could not deal with his autism and with his deafness,lack of communication would increase his frustrations.
Medical ward could not take him cos of the violence and again lack of communication.Even when we volunteered to cover 24/7 they could not accept this as his intimidating manner was a risk to other patients.
His severe learning diabilites meant its been so hard to try explain things in a manner which he can understands and his increased brain activity is affecting his epilepsy.
His consultant made a visit and after several calls a bed has been found for him on Monday in an autism unit at a hospital 30 miles away.We kept being told that this would be a short term stay and as a result we assumed this meant anything from 2-6 weeks.We have since been told by the Dr that we may be looking at a 3-6 month stay.
My head accepts that treatment is a necessity,a total overhaul of his medication needed but although hes 6ft 2 in tall,he is in fact a child.
Monday morning,we are getting a home visit by Consultant,GP and Duty Soc Worker ahead of his actual admission.Hopefully everything will be explained then.
How on earth can we as a family take him on Monday and leave him.Its not even here yet and I feel like I have let him down and let my mam down as I promised faithfully to look after him.
Does anyone here have experiences like this?
Can anyone shed any light on what I can expect come their visit on Monday?
Will we be expected to sign anything and if so, do we as a family maintain rights to bring him home?
I dont expect answers fully because each set of circumstances will be different but I would appreciate any comments/advice that anyone can share.
I know many a time I have praised ESPA,the organisation that provides his care ,but once again these last few weeks they have surpassed themselves.The consultant is theirs and its them who has organised all this with us every step of the way.As well as family going to see my brother,they are intending sending staff as much as possible especially to cover any communication issues.
To say their own staff are gutted is an understatement.They have had involvement in Roberts life now for 10 years and the attachments he has formed are many.To have a manager apologising for being unprofessional by crying in front of us,to have others crying too as they just want whats best for him,shows just how much loving care they do give.
Be strong everyone,be there for one another always.
Rosemary
x x x x x
Hope you are all well.
Sorry I have not been around much but been horrendous at home these last few weeks.For now I would prefer to keep the circumstances behind it all private but developments these last few days have opened my eyes and various aspects I want to post here to see if anyone else has experiences they can share.
The gist of it is,my brother has hurt someone.They are doin ok now ( no medical attention was needed )but obviously there are consequences and it is what we have to face next week that is breaking my heart.As strong as I am,god only knows where I am going to get the strength from next week.I think I dont have any more tears left in me till phone goes and I have to explain everything from scratch again.
So,after this incident, we were told that a hospital admission for him was a necessity but,and this is where the fun started.
Emergency team from local hospital were called out ( mental team ).They said they were not equiped to take him as they could not deal with his autism and with his deafness,lack of communication would increase his frustrations.
Medical ward could not take him cos of the violence and again lack of communication.Even when we volunteered to cover 24/7 they could not accept this as his intimidating manner was a risk to other patients.
His severe learning diabilites meant its been so hard to try explain things in a manner which he can understands and his increased brain activity is affecting his epilepsy.
His consultant made a visit and after several calls a bed has been found for him on Monday in an autism unit at a hospital 30 miles away.We kept being told that this would be a short term stay and as a result we assumed this meant anything from 2-6 weeks.We have since been told by the Dr that we may be looking at a 3-6 month stay.
My head accepts that treatment is a necessity,a total overhaul of his medication needed but although hes 6ft 2 in tall,he is in fact a child.
Monday morning,we are getting a home visit by Consultant,GP and Duty Soc Worker ahead of his actual admission.Hopefully everything will be explained then.
How on earth can we as a family take him on Monday and leave him.Its not even here yet and I feel like I have let him down and let my mam down as I promised faithfully to look after him.
Does anyone here have experiences like this?
Can anyone shed any light on what I can expect come their visit on Monday?
Will we be expected to sign anything and if so, do we as a family maintain rights to bring him home?
I dont expect answers fully because each set of circumstances will be different but I would appreciate any comments/advice that anyone can share.
I know many a time I have praised ESPA,the organisation that provides his care ,but once again these last few weeks they have surpassed themselves.The consultant is theirs and its them who has organised all this with us every step of the way.As well as family going to see my brother,they are intending sending staff as much as possible especially to cover any communication issues.
To say their own staff are gutted is an understatement.They have had involvement in Roberts life now for 10 years and the attachments he has formed are many.To have a manager apologising for being unprofessional by crying in front of us,to have others crying too as they just want whats best for him,shows just how much loving care they do give.
Be strong everyone,be there for one another always.
Rosemary
x x x x x
