It's been quite a while since I have checked in with you. Things have been hectic to say the least.
The first part of my update is positive and full of warm fuzzies because my daughter finally gave herself a chance and was able to learn DBT skills and apply them to where she reaped the natural consequences that comes along with hard work and continued use of DBT skills that has alleviated much of her emotional pain and sadness.
She was stepped down to a level III program known as intensive alternative family therapy. She was to reside with a therapeutic foster parent that has a tremendous amount of training and knowledge of how to be supportive to my daughter (or another teen) in the least restrictive way.
There was to be a number of wrap around programs (GED program for half a day m-f, running, going to the gym, going to fill out job applications) that were a part of her short and long term goals that she planned and advocated to get the team's unanimous support which she did with no problem.
Well... . the transition was an epic fail. The case manager was horrendous from day one and mismanaged my daughter's care to the point that she digressed quickly. The first foster parent did not follow policy by leaving my daughter unsupervised and vulnerable to be subjected to uncomfortable circumstances. One involved an older man who followed her around, and the other major issue I had were two groups of boys fighting over who would spend the most time with her... . not cool. I threw a fit after receiving a number of texts (there are no cell phones allowed in the IAFT program, but less than 24 hours my daughter was allowed to use her money she was saving for a laptop to buy a cell phone to communicate with whoever, whenever) My daughter was transferred to another home where she had two therapeutic parents who wanted nothing more than to help her get back on track.
She never did. She was hospitalized on Wednesday after having to get an IVC through the magistrates office. I am so upset that the picture of what we thought the IAFT program would look like ended up being the polar opposite. Thank goodness she is in a better place and no longer is threatening self harm.
It's back to the drawing board for right now. The one thing I know in my gut is that she has learned so much from her stay at Eliada in Asheville, NC. She is in an entirely different space than she was when she was hospitalized exactly one year ago and just wanted to die. Now she is able to come back to center after experiencing her emotions. Things happen for a reason, and I am so grateful that I have a venue to speak about whats going on without hesitation, and knowing I will get a lot of great advice and support.
I already filed a grievance with the LME and am now looking for an attorney to discuss the circumstances and events that chipped away at my daughter's happiness and ultimately created the world of hurt and anger that fuels her self harming urges to where she is a risk to herself as well as whoever is sharing space with her.
I would love to see if there have been successful civil liability cases but more importantly, a 1983 case, which has always been able to stimulate positive changes out of negative or unsafe situations. Improving the mental health system and weed out the incompetent and complacent workers, the possibilities to experience success will be more the norm than not.
If any one has ever had to consult an attorney that specializes in disability law, civil tort law, or constitutional law ADA act, please inbox me with the info.
Thank you so much in advance!
Googie
