How The System Works

The week before DSPD came to our home to discuss Parker getting services through Medicaid, I was a total wreck.

The night before our meeting I stayed up and cleaned every crook and cranny of my home. The next morning I dressed with care, bathed Parker and put him in his cutest outfit.

I worried that the caseworker coming to give us the forms to fill out wouldn’t think I was a good enough Mother for my son.

I worried that if my house wasn’t clean enough or Parker dressed well enough the case worker would be concerned about my ability to provide a stimulating and loving environment for him.

And that they then would want to take him away from me.

Hey. It had been a rough few months that included a child life flighted to our children’s hospital, an emergency colostomy, and several weeks in the NICU. I was living off of Dr. Pepper and left over hormones.

I was naive. And apparently living in La La land.

Because we would have had a better chance of receiving services through DSPD if the case worker had been forced to crunch her way through a few cockroaches on the way to our kitchen table, and then found a long abandoned pile of dirty diapers in the corner next to her.

As a matter of fact, as the case worker left, her words to me included, “Now if one of your teenagers gets pregnant, or starts using drugs, call me.” We could for sure get your name on the top of the list then.”

Dad has a job? Mom stays up all night trying to make sure her family has clean underwear? Teach your children right from wrong? Don’t drink or do drugs?

Well then my friend, you are on your own. And good luck with that.

We couldn’t even qualify for WIC for help with Parker’s formula. The formula that our insurance does not cover.

Even though after paying out of pocket for medical needs brought us down to qualifying levels for WIC and other government services, we were turned down time and time again.

Yet this same government didn’t even ask for proof of citizenship of the thousands of illegal immigrants that use these programs each year.

Those here illegally could receive help from my own government, but my son could not.

And that folks is how it works. At least in my state.

Now, please don’t think I would ever deny a child food or health care. And as a parent I understand the desire of another parent to see that their child is well fed and has access to proper medical care.

But it would be nice if my child could have received a few of these benefits too.

Two of the issues I’ll be watching closely this election are illegal immigration and health care.

Because I’d like to see things in my state work a whole lot better.

Tammy and Parker also hang out at their other blog, Praying For Parker

19 Responses to How The System Works