Over the past 5 months, I have communicated through Google Meet with numerous people in the different agencies that are involved in determining Bryson’s eligibility for benefits in the State of Arizona. As I recall, I have spent almost 8 hours telling these people about Bryson. I have told them all about his medical past, medical present, medications. I have told them how he dresses, toilets, eats, walks, talks, understands. I have told them what his abilities are and what his disabilities are… and through all of those meetings, it was determined that Bryson is eligible for services in the State of Arizona because of his CP, Autism and Moderate Intellectual Disabilities.
Over the past 5 months, not one person has seen my son in the flesh, has shook his left hand, communicated face to face with him. Not one person from these agencies has seen the Diabetic technology that my son wears to make his life better. Bryson is eligible to receive services in the State of Arizona, but he is being denied placement into the living arrangement that is best for him because of his Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis and technology. Does this make sense to you?
So, what is best for Bryson? A family…. a home with loving people who care for each other, share similar interests and spend time together or a medical group home where people require 24/7 nursing care. That is where the State of Arizona wants to put him.
This system has forgotten what is important… the person. not his disabilities and his medical issues. As I was reflecting, I feel I have lost WHO my son is… in this world who preaches inclusion…. HE should be able to be in the best place for him….. but NO, he is his disability, a liability threat, a person assigned a number in the system. He has no face, no personality on paper. SO, WHO IS MY SON? I have been so caught up in having to explain all the hard about him and I’m so tired of being his caregiver, I have lost who my son really is… funny, sports lover, worship music lover, friend, amazing at sports facts.
Can I ask you all a favor…. As I start marching around Jericho to fight this battle can you remind me who my son is to you? I need you all to march with me, I need you all to tell the people who are in charge of this decision who Bryson is. I need them to know that Bryson deserves the family that we have chosen for him. Bryson deserves to thrive and grow and mature in a loving family environment.
Friends, family, past teachers, coaches, pastors, coworkers, church friends, parents of his friends, can you please write a short letter of how you know Bryson and who Bryson is to you and email it to me @ lisa@lisajplett.com
Bryson has a smile for everyone. Bryson worked for us for a summer, in the bakery. He’s very smart, even through his handicap. As many Autistic individuals need repetition, Bryson did as well, even though his handicap was compounded by no use of his right hand ( or barely). He pressed pie shells for us, in a machine and did quite well. You would often hear him humming a tune as he was working.
Thanks Kathryn for your kind words!