So sorry you had to go through that, Lene. I do understand about worrying about reprisals. If this person could hurt you at will, it would be very scary to just turn them in. I am glad they are out of your life, and hopefully out of healthcare all together. Thanks for all the great info! This has been a great idea, opens peoples eyes and gives them the info they need to help.
Brad
like I mentioned Pam above, although she don't longer works for the agency from which I received care, she probably works somewhere else. it's a pretty scary prospect.
And thanks! This project has been amazing in the way it is pulled together information and posts from so many of the HealthCentral sites. I hope we've been able to help.
Hi Lene
I am so glad that this person never came back and that you said something. There are people who are aides or assistants that never should be in the profession. It can be very frightening.
My mother who has schizophrenia was in a bad personal care home once...where the sheriff had to shut the place down. Familiy members had no idea what was going on there. But one of the things they would do to the residents was withhold their medicine as punishment. How incredibly stupid is that? My mother was not physically abused but other residents were. I was absolutely horrified and especially that I had no clue this was going on. But the thing is...such a situation is not so uncommon unfortunately.
There are horrific stories in the news nearly every week of how people with disabilities are abused. One of the worst ones recently was how four mentally disabled people were held captive in a basement, beaten, and treated like animals.
I worry for my son who has autism. There are many kind and compassionate people in the world but there are also people who would not bat an eyelash about exploiting or harming someone who has difficulty speaking up for themselves.
Thank you for sharing the links and resources and for also courageously sharing your story.
MM
after all these years of receiving care, I've become convinced that there are two people who go into the care giving profession: those who truly care and those get off on control. There's no way of making it pretty and so few people know about it and that leaves people in e.g., institutional settings more vulnerable. My father was in a nursing home and although it was a good one, we made sure to show up often and at unpredictable times. You need to keep the staff on their toes.
I can't imagine the worry you must go through as the parent of a child with a disability. The good thing is that you know what to look out for and that's half the battle.
Thanks for coming by!
This is a very hard subject for me and not understanding how it all happened and why the people that were suppose to help me didn't. I'm talking about an agency, protective sevices. I go over the list all the time, I'm not sick enough, skinny, fat, gray and the worst, not worth it..I've gotten to the point that I feel more pain over this then the 16 yrs. I spent with my ex
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Lene, this is horrible what happened to you? But why did you have to wait to report it, are reprisals really very prevalent? It sounds as if they are, and you need back up to make such a report. I'm curious, does this person continue to provide care for others, or do they go on their merry way and get to keep their job?
I'm glad you reported this, but I certainly don't like that you had to wait to get backup first, what if the abuse was more life-threatening and something horrible happens while you're waiting.
In situations like this, does the provider offer medical care for your injuries? You should at least get free x-rays and a check up of some kind. It doesn't seem any different than a car accident where the other drivers insurances pays for any and all medical needs necessary.
I'm glad it's over, but it never should have happened! I just hope this person is out of a job, and didn't just get a slap on the wrist.
Hi Lene
That is terrible. I went through a much smaller version of that recently. I attended my podiatrist for treatment of chronic Plantar Fasciatis, WITHOUT ASKING MY PERMISSION and in spite of the fact that the treatment had previously created a complication for me and he had said he would never do it again, he inserted two acupuncture needles into the most painful part of my foot.
I said I could not have that treatment again, and he said scornfully, "It is only a little needle
He withdrew them, then inserted and twisted them again.
As I left he said "come back when you need us again
I was furious and now have to work out how to get my funding for this service transferred from him to another podiatrist.
Pam - when you depend on others for the ability to go to the washroom or have personal care attendants in your home for up to three hours a day, reprisals are very real. So is the fear of reprisal - the dependency dynamic contains a strong element of being nice and uncomplaining. People can make it very uncomfortable to receive care and the "nicer" you are, the better care you get.
She's no longer working for that agency. It's quite possible she's working somewhere else.
wonderwoman - that's definitely medical abuse! You should be able to get your funding source to transfer you somewhere else, but it may take a formal complaint. Is that something you'd feel comfortable doing?
I don't want to formally complain, don't have the emotional strength for it at present, to much going on in my health, even an abcessed tooth.
However, I am going to investigate how to transfer, I am seeing a new podiatrist re a prescription for medical grade shoes. My old one does not do that, so I may have a reason to transfer without complaining.
I also had a doctor do that once, I am now very nervous of anyone who does acupunctre as they seem to have a different set of ethics from other medical professionals.
I hear you - formal complaints take a lot out of you.
it's too bad that you had what I can only describe as unethical practitioners treat you. My experience with acupuncture is that it's been a lifesaver, helping to control my pain and inflammation. I wonder if the difference is that you have received it from "Western" model doctors who may have taken a brief course in the mechanics of acupuncture, as opposed to someone who is familiar with Chinese medicine and knows and believes the theory behind it in depth. I'd encourage you to try again some day, but find someone who is a doctor of Chinese medicine. Should you want to go this route again, find someone who comes recommended by someone you trust - they should have a long conversation with you about your symptoms and conditions before sticking you with needles. And most of all, they should have your consent.
Thanks Lene