Taking Rev. Rus' advice, we decided to take on these TWO cases as horrible examples, and try to resolve them. However, we will use these to follow the thread to determine the root causes of these problems and to try to activate our Independent Living Centers and Protection & Advocacy, Inc. to provide better support. Here is what we have done so far:
- Action: Called the Oakland Tribune and the Berkeley Daily Planet, sent emails to an LA Times reporter in Sacramento
Result: Articles in the Oakland Tribune, December 13, 1999; the Los Angeles Times, December 23, 1999; the Berkeley Daily Planet, December 29, 1999.
Article in the Los Angeles Times
- Action: Contacted both Oakland and Sacramento Protection & Advocacy to find out what they do for a living
Result: Sacramento PAI staff told us what they tried to do for Sara, and sent some citations (not very useful) from California and U.S. codes and regulations. I offered to "help" Oakland work on Blane's case and they said they would get back to me.....
Click here to see the California Protection & Advocacy Service Plan to see how this fits Blane's case exactly.
- Action: Took an interested Social Service worker up on her offer to help.
Result: This individual has gotten in touch with both Blane and with Sara's mother and may be our immediate problem-solver.
- Action: Held Blane's and Sara's hands figuratively over the airwaves.
Result: With hand-holding, Blane and Sara are holding their heads up! We hope not totally discouraged and at least they know the community is on their side.
Although Sara is IN a Medical Facility at present, we have loaned her a laptop and members of the community are chipping in to get her a modem, so she should soon be online!
- Action: Approached a local state senator's office and asked for an investigation of the agency or agencies who purportedly enforce regulations, and of the reasons why our Protection and Advocacy, Inc. has been unable to Protect or Advocate.
Result: A staff member is interested, is working on this, has sent me some information.
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Action: Called the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) [on the advice of the Senator's staff] and asked for an investigation of SunPlus, Blanes home nursing agency. Pat McGinnis and Prescott Cole of CANHR have drafted proposed legislation to help with the problem.
- Action: Called the Executive Director of Berkeley's Center for Independent Living and requested a meeting to come up with a long-term plan to deal with these situations.
Result: Meeting was held, and CIL has promised to support our efforts. Indeed, all the ILCs are getting involved.
Read letter from the State Independent Living Council
- Action: Called the Executive Director of the San Francisco Independent Living Resource Center and asked for support
Result: ILRC pointed out that this fell right into their fight to de-institutionalize Laguna Honda and other nursing home patients.
