Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 19 "The Accident"Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
26 total reviews
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Wendy,
Wow! These people need to be fired... every last one! Poor Jonathan.
How on earth could the "Head of the Health Care Team" diagnose him over the phone?
"I diagnosed over the phone that he had no broken bones!"
That's just crazy. I think you should have sued.
"Possibly the rail had not even been (put) up when he was (put) into his (bed) at (bed)time." ... (I think I'd switch one of these, "put", for some other word... perhaps, "placed in his bed". And I don't think you need "at bedtime". That's a bit redundant.)
I tend to wonder what the health care worker did instead of finishing what she started...
"The official line was that a care worker had wanted to change him during the night. She'd turned away "for a few seconds" to get more linen, and he had fallen from his bed to the hard wooden floor, face down, smashing his teeth on the bedside table as he went."
Was she talking on the phone, or watching a TV program? Jonathan certainly wasn't a priority. Not even after he fell out of bed, if that's what really happened.
No wonder this was difficult to write.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Hi Wendy,
Wow! These people need to be fired... every last one! Poor Jonathan.
How on earth could the "Head of the Health Care Team" diagnose him over the phone?
"I diagnosed over the phone that he had no broken bones!"
That's just crazy. I think you should have sued.
"Possibly the rail had not even been (put) up when he was (put) into his (bed) at (bed)time." ... (I think I'd switch one of these, "put", for some other word... perhaps, "placed in his bed". And I don't think you need "at bedtime". That's a bit redundant.)
I tend to wonder what the health care worker did instead of finishing what she started...
"The official line was that a care worker had wanted to change him during the night. She'd turned away "for a few seconds" to get more linen, and he had fallen from his bed to the hard wooden floor, face down, smashing his teeth on the bedside table as he went."
Was she talking on the phone, or watching a TV program? Jonathan certainly wasn't a priority. Not even after he fell out of bed, if that's what really happened.
No wonder this was difficult to write.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 11-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2024
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Thank you for your thoughtful and careful review. I appreciate your suggestions and have changed the wording accordingly. That?s exactly what I need - someone else to notice just those little things which make a big difference.
Wendy
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My pleasure, Wendy!
Comment from BethShelby
This is horrible and I can understand how you would. Johnathan was like son to you and when your child is hurting it is aways worse than hurting yourself. With him away from you there is very little you can do except managet to get those you feel didn't do thier job angry with you for questioning. them. It would be more than most could handle.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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This is horrible and I can understand how you would. Johnathan was like son to you and when your child is hurting it is aways worse than hurting yourself. With him away from you there is very little you can do except managet to get those you feel didn't do thier job angry with you for questioning. them. It would be more than most could handle.
Comment Written 09-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
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Thank you Beth for reviewing with such kindness. Yes, it was a difficult situation, and it didn't get any easier as time went by.
Wendy
Comment from Brett Matthew West
An email from the Head of the Health Care Team would be enough justification to warrant opening personal email during school hours. In this situation, suppose an email better than no notification at all.
For Jonathan's face to look like that from a fall could be a cover up that he had actually been injured another way.
Negligence on the caretaker's part no doubt is exactly how Jonathan got injured. She compounded her failure to properly secure Jonathan by lying to the Head of the Health Care Team. In addition, the Head was negligent not to visit Jonathan after the incident occurred.
How could the Head have "diagnosed over the phone" without physically observing Jonathan?
Unfortunately, most places like this Group Home are only after the government funding and could not care less about their patients' wellbeing.
Broken mandible = lawsuit (at least it should have.)
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024
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An email from the Head of the Health Care Team would be enough justification to warrant opening personal email during school hours. In this situation, suppose an email better than no notification at all.
For Jonathan's face to look like that from a fall could be a cover up that he had actually been injured another way.
Negligence on the caretaker's part no doubt is exactly how Jonathan got injured. She compounded her failure to properly secure Jonathan by lying to the Head of the Health Care Team. In addition, the Head was negligent not to visit Jonathan after the incident occurred.
How could the Head have "diagnosed over the phone" without physically observing Jonathan?
Unfortunately, most places like this Group Home are only after the government funding and could not care less about their patients' wellbeing.
Broken mandible = lawsuit (at least it should have.)
Comment Written 08-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2024
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Thank you Brett. Insightful comments. You may well be right about a lawsuit. We got this report almost a year later, and by that time so many other things were happening (next story). And, it would not give his teeth back, could well financially ruin the disability service ... and there were really no other viable options for the clients. We (and they) knew we were caught in a bind.
Wendy
Comment from Spitfire
I can see why this was a hard write. I also understand your fear of them punishing you by punishing Jonathan. Since there is no other place of his care, you are to some extent helpless. However, at least you questioned and investigated. The nurse who left the bedrail down should be fired.
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2024
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I can see why this was a hard write. I also understand your fear of them punishing you by punishing Jonathan. Since there is no other place of his care, you are to some extent helpless. However, at least you questioned and investigated. The nurse who left the bedrail down should be fired.
Comment Written 07-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much, Shari. Also for the wonderful six stars, which are a great encouragement. Yes, she should have been fired, I believe, and there could at least have been an appropriate apology. It was very poor on their part.
Wendy.
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
This was beautifully written but I am just seething! The story was told smoothly and well-paced. The facilities that care for those who can't care for themselves, whether it be senior citizens, mentally challenged or physically compromised need more strict guidelines. They are not monitored close enough. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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This was beautifully written but I am just seething! The story was told smoothly and well-paced. The facilities that care for those who can't care for themselves, whether it be senior citizens, mentally challenged or physically compromised need more strict guidelines. They are not monitored close enough. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 06-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Thank you for your very caring review. Yes, they need to be held accountable for sure, but some things are not reported truthfully by the staff who have caused a problem. The vulnerable are easy victims. It?s sad, and just not right. Thanks again.
Wendy
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Wendy,
I was cringing as I read this account. This goes beyond incompetent and apathetic. What happened verges on criminal in my mind. I understand that you are between a rock and a hard place, but I think I would have gone ahead and sued the responsible parties, then had Jonathon put in his own house with 24 hour responsible care, paid for by the money obtained by the lawsuit. I'm so angry that anyone would try to cover their butts with lies when it is so obviously neglect. Do you have a letters to the editor column in your newspapers? I would be contacting TV news reporter and exposing the place, as well as writing a letter to the editor. While it's good to get the story off your chest on this site, the people of Australia should be made aware of what is going on in the care of the most needy of the population. It could happen to anyone. Thanks for sharing this gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Hello Wendy,
I was cringing as I read this account. This goes beyond incompetent and apathetic. What happened verges on criminal in my mind. I understand that you are between a rock and a hard place, but I think I would have gone ahead and sued the responsible parties, then had Jonathon put in his own house with 24 hour responsible care, paid for by the money obtained by the lawsuit. I'm so angry that anyone would try to cover their butts with lies when it is so obviously neglect. Do you have a letters to the editor column in your newspapers? I would be contacting TV news reporter and exposing the place, as well as writing a letter to the editor. While it's good to get the story off your chest on this site, the people of Australia should be made aware of what is going on in the care of the most needy of the population. It could happen to anyone. Thanks for sharing this gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 05-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much Tom. I don?t think it would have helped to sue. They have very powerful legal avenues and can wriggle their way out of most things. J would need three shifts of workers daily, for 24 hour care, and more for the weekend, and a modified house and equipment. I?ll write about it in subsequent chapters but these top people are now off the scene, and things are more stable. But a lot happened in between then and now. Thank you so much for your caring review and support. It means a great deal.
Wendy
Comment from Mrs. KT
Dear Wendy,
I feel absolutely ill having read and re-read your incredibly disturbing and heartbreaking chapter.
My god! Jonathan suffered abuse and neglect of the highest proportion: emotional and physical...
Just sickened to read of his suffering and the arrogant apathy and denial of his caregivers...
Heartbreaking...
I can surely understand how this chapter "has been the hardest chapter to write so far."
Thank you for having the strength and courage to do so...
Fondly,
diane
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Dear Wendy,
I feel absolutely ill having read and re-read your incredibly disturbing and heartbreaking chapter.
My god! Jonathan suffered abuse and neglect of the highest proportion: emotional and physical...
Just sickened to read of his suffering and the arrogant apathy and denial of his caregivers...
Heartbreaking...
I can surely understand how this chapter "has been the hardest chapter to write so far."
Thank you for having the strength and courage to do so...
Fondly,
diane
Comment Written 05-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Thank you so much Diane, for your understanding and compassionate review. I feel I must write it, but to be honest, it is taking an emotional toll. What is encouraging though is to see the care and support of reviewers like yourself. So - thank you from my heart.
Wendy
Comment from Jim Wile
My goodness, Wendy, this is so shocking. What an incompetent group are some of those workers and especially those higher ups who lie about it and seem only interested in maintaining their power and status with no respect for their patients or their parents or guardians. I have a feeling that woman will eventually get her just desserts if you have any say in the matter. This woman epitomizes all the evils of a bureaucracy--the desire for a paycheck to the exclusion of everything else, and to the protectiveness for incompetent workers.
I sure hope things look up soon. It sounds like you're doing a good job of collecting evidence for whatever case you may bring. - Jim
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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My goodness, Wendy, this is so shocking. What an incompetent group are some of those workers and especially those higher ups who lie about it and seem only interested in maintaining their power and status with no respect for their patients or their parents or guardians. I have a feeling that woman will eventually get her just desserts if you have any say in the matter. This woman epitomizes all the evils of a bureaucracy--the desire for a paycheck to the exclusion of everything else, and to the protectiveness for incompetent workers.
I sure hope things look up soon. It sounds like you're doing a good job of collecting evidence for whatever case you may bring. - Jim
Comment Written 05-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Thank you very much, Jim. Sometimes life isn?t fair, and people don?t get what they deserve for their ill-considered actions. But keep reading please, there?s more to come. Your reviews are very encouraging, and help me to keep writing.
Wendy
Comment from royowen
Boy I can certainly understand your anger, I think the worst thing is being treated like a fool, there seems to be lots of scandal surrounding medical care, the complaint always seems to be overworked and underpaid, but we don't get paid for caring for our own children, so the conclusion? A lack of care. Beautifully written, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Boy I can certainly understand your anger, I think the worst thing is being treated like a fool, there seems to be lots of scandal surrounding medical care, the complaint always seems to be overworked and underpaid, but we don't get paid for caring for our own children, so the conclusion? A lack of care. Beautifully written, blessings Roy
Comment Written 05-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Thank you Roy, I appreciate your review. Even just an apology from them would have been nice, and maybe some honesty and transparency. Thanks again.
Wendy
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Well done
Comment from LJbutterfly
This story made me angry and brought tears to my eyes. I've heard stories about lackadaisical staff who write false reports to cover their failure to protect disabled clients. Jonathan has suffered more than I ever realized was humanly possible. I applaud both you and Sheryl for doing all you could, but these agencies have the final say.
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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This story made me angry and brought tears to my eyes. I've heard stories about lackadaisical staff who write false reports to cover their failure to protect disabled clients. Jonathan has suffered more than I ever realized was humanly possible. I applaud both you and Sheryl for doing all you could, but these agencies have the final say.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2024
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Yes, unfortunately, they are the ones with the power, and they knew it. It still upsets me to think and write about it. They have all sorts of ways to protect themselves legally. Thank you very much for your kind and compassionate review. I appreciate it a lot.
Wendy
