Finally!

It has taken a change in the case manager (not my doing) in order for a new/old approach to be included in the planning for Paul and his services. Several years ago I set up a phone meeting between Paul's then case manager and his care services coordinator and aid every two months.
These were not too bad, however, Paul's services were unavailable or something came up and soon the meetings were never followed through with...as witnessed in Paul's life by the family having to remove these services and throw a huge fit.



Now, with Cris, she is more organized and actually not wore out as she cares to put forth the effort and so she initiated a phone call one a month between Mom, Amy (Coordinator) the nurse, Teresa, myself and Cris. I like monthly followup visits as then we can be more pro-active and less reactive. This actually addresses issues when they are small and minute compared to the ones that are crazy and having to solve an issue that has grown to a problem involving health and safety issues needing fixed now. Think I am going to like Cris.



Hopefully Cris will not be looking like Cavin's mom. LOL

Morning of

Am I prepared? Do I have everything I need? Am I calm, cool, collected?

These are my thoughts once I am up and about this morning.

I have been a part of these meetings for over 10 years. Honestly, until the family became legal guardians these meetings were not something we were invited to or told about. So when the first one happened it was a strange, awe-filled moment. I was a child in a big world of "people" who thought they knew everything and were there to include us, however, no one honestly knew what role the family was to play.

I hurried up and began learning about guardianship and the role of the family.

The services were fantastic in that they encouraged us to be involved at the meetings...and even in Paul's day to day care. Sounds great right?

LOL (if only it were reality)



The services always acted like they wanted us involved and gave lip-service to the "family" as they knew we were not going to be there every single day. We were told and heard only what they wanted us to hear.

As Paul's ability to walk and take care of himself came into a more prominent state and I became the main contact person, things began to change.

They absolutely hated it! They were being watched now and so they needed to do their jobs...period.

I worked with them, Mom worked with them, Cam worked with them and finally even the lil sister Stacey (aka Anastasia) worked with them. By this time the services were struggling in knowing how to work with more than one interested party (aka guardian).

                   

        


 They freaked.



They were no longer in charge. The Family was. We have never tried to force the fact but there have been times we needed to make necessary changes in management and care-givers. We also pushed a more proactive...less reactive stance. It is still a work in progress.



I think about all this as I get ready for today's meeting. More changes are coming and I know for a fact his services will say they are happy and agreeable however I know they will struggle.

 

 

  So how do I bring them to the "light"?

 

THAT, my friends, is another story which begins today at the meeting.