Faulkner Family

Ah, Calvin...you can always make me smile even when I am so ANGRY!

I got the call from our social worker yesterday telling me that our pre-approval request for the intensive feeding program at CHOP has been denied. They say that Ethan is already getting enough services here. It's a bunch of bulldookie. We would not have multiple doctors and therapists referring us up North if they could offer the services that he needs! ONE person made this decision and this ONE person states that there is NO appeal process. I'm sorry, but WTF? NO APPEAL PROCESS??!!?!?

This is not about me simply wanting Ethan to eat a french fry some day- this is about his safety. He just got over aspirate pneumonia, AND he has already had one item surgically removed from his throat...something that I do not care to repeat any time soon. Luckily, it was an item that did not obstruct his airway.

The budget cuts that are happening are devastating to the special needs community. CAP slots are getting cut/froze, as are Health-Choice spots. Mental Health units are being shut down. I would LOVE to be able to not have to need a CAP slot- I would love nothing more than to be able to care for my son like I always did a couple of years ago. I would LOVE to not deal with SSI. I would LOVE to be able to take him where I need to take him for the best possible medical care without being yanked around by insurance. I would love lots of things, I guess.

But, I am angry. I am angry that my son's safety will continue to be at risk, but in the meantime the auto makers are getting bailed out. I am angry that children are losing healthcare, but a certain senator can come into office and decide that the decor was not to her liking, so it got a new renovation/makeover- courtesy of the taxpayers, of course. Not cool. Not cool at all.