David Rector has been my friend for over 25 years. And now he's dying in a dump in San Diego, lying in his own filth, neglected and abused in a so-called health care facility.
18 months ago, David suffered an aortic dissection and stroke. It left him brain damaged and briefly in a coma. At first he received excellent care. His fiancee Roz -- who has been by his side constantly, from the moment of the attack in their home, through all the initial surgery and rehab -- kept me updated regularly. He was treated at UCSMDC (University of California San Diego Medical Center). Then he was moved to a Long-Term Acute Care Facility called Kindred, where he also -- initially -- received excellent care. His trach was eventually removed, and he started, slowly, to regain function.
But then David's cousin stepped in. Said cousin suddenly decided he didn't want Roz in the picture anymore. Roz is "just" the love of David's life. She isn't a blood relative. And in the infinite wisdom of our legal system, blood is thicker than water, and Roz is water. [T]hough Roz offered repeatedly to fly him out to San Diego on her own dime, he has never taken her up on her offer. In fact, he's done worse: he's tried to get her legally barred from even visiting David, let alone make any medical decisions for him.
Roz continues to spend every day with him, cleaning him up, especially around his colostomy bag, which she's not allowed to change, even when it's overflowing, communicating with him -- orally as well as in writing, on a chalkboard -- doing all the things the staff refuses to do. She has been spending gobs of money trying to fight this in the courts, she has contacted every legal, policy, and advocacy organization out there, every elected official, every everyone who might possibly be able to help, and has been stymied at every turn by the legal system. David has since been moved to "Care With Dignity." The photographs Roz has been sending me all along have changed from images of progress and hope to images of filth and despair. Anything Roz has brought in to help David has been stolen. Radios, TVs, CD player, iPod, headphones, earbuds, computer with language-assisting software, you name it. David gets no rehabilitation anymore. The progress he made early on is rapidly eroding. He's being neglected and abused, just like hundreds of thousands of other patients in similar hellholes around the country.
Bottom line: she's not a blood relative. She doesn't count. Her evidence of David's abuse doesn't count. Her evidence of his progress -- stunning given the circumstances, and thanks only to her efforts -- doesn't count.
She's afraid he's going to die in there. So am I.
Full Article and Source:
They are Killing David Rector
10 comments:
It's obviously about striping David's assets... the perpetrators don't give a damn about whats best for David or what they do to Roz. Thank you NASGA for working toward reform.
People please wake up and pay close attention, this could very well be your story.
I am so upset I am trembling knowing this is going on. Anyone with income and/or assets is prey to the mobsters of probate court.
The evidence shows what matters and it's always all about the $$$.
The organized Bar used to say that family law was their "bread and butter." Haven't heard yet, but i think they must consider this their "champagne and caviar"!
Praying for you
Stay strong, Roz. We support you and stand with you.
It's so hard to stand there while your loved one is being neglected. The feeling of powerlessness is all encompassing.
I know how you feel and I feel so bad for you. Know that you are David's only hope and you are strong enough to withstand anything in his behalf.
Roz, David's a lucky man. Without you, he'd be lost.
I admire you.
I will pray for you and David that your voice will be heard in his behalf.
It can happen to anyone - anyone. That's what people have to understand and why it's so important that organizations like NASGA exists.
If we (the able bodied) don't stop this madness, it will only grow. It's up to each and every one of us.
families and loved ones complaints are disregarded by those in high authority in favor of the abusers who are perceived as doing their best job in the best interest of the wards we know better but those who can stop this now do not want to hear from family and loved ones who are labeled ~~~ ungrateful greedy heirs how do i know i was referred to in this manner with other labels i will never ever forget the names used on me and our family instead of going away i am more dedicated to stopping this inhumane cruel treatment til my last day on earth
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