Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / 24 June 2014
Guardianship for people with disabilities needs
to change.
28 years ago I met a beautiful soul, Jim. I call him brother; Jim has an Intellectual disability (Mental Retardation). My parents adopted Jim and
brought him into our home when he was five years of age. After 27 years of
marriage our parents divorced and dad ended up remarrying. In 2013 our father
died of complications of his military service (i.e. Agent Orange) and left his current
wife as legal Guardian of Jim. My mother
never gave up her rights to her son.
My brother’s guardian has restricted him from seeing his mother and entire
family that he grew up knowing. Driven to find freedom for my brother we've
encountered countless days of unwanted stress. I have been accused or
harassment while simply trying to see my brother. I miss him.
His mom misses him. I’m simply
trying to right this awful wrong! I've
reached out to several political figures. I can only imagine the torment and
pain my brother is going through.
Finally, a year and a half after our father died I found my brother
out in public in his hometown of Washington, IA. He seemed so lost and confused;
he resembled a deer in headlights. He then stuck his arms out and hugged me.
His caregiver, Libby preceded to say he does not love you and doesn't want to
see you as she instantly called his guardian. My brother and my son
were hugging as Jim's guardian appeared. His guardian released my son from
Jim's arms and preceded to tell us we couldn't touch him because she is his guardian and
he's her property!
I have learned this is not just an issue for my family but others in
Iowa and all over our country. Guardians should have limitations and the ward
should be able to see and speak to whomever they wish if they are not
dangerous, I have started an online
petition. (See link http://petitions.moveon.org/
There's nothing on file stating we cannot see or communicate with
one another only a suggestion by the Judge to improve communication between Dad’s
second wife and myself.
Guardianship laws need to be changed. Giving
the voiceless a voice.
Your story is heartbreaking. I don't understand why Jimmy is not with your Mom. Was he living with your Dad at the time? If your Mom and Dad adopted Jimmy together, how did this evil woman manage to take him from your mother?
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