R. Gordon Medical-Legal Services

A Bitter-Sweet Story

In 1992 my son, then age 7, was the child that ran after the ball. We lived in the country. On this particular day my son had just started taking a Tai Quan Do class. He was so excited he wanted to tell the neighbor children, who were outside playing. So outside he went, stopping at the road to look both ways. As I turned around to answer my phone, I heard the “thud” looked out the window to see his coat in the road. To say this was the worst day of my life would be an understatement.

There is a long story about my son that goes along to the present, but with hard work and dedication, my son is now an adult. He is living on his own, is able to drive, and is a hard working dedicated employee.

Fulfiling A Need

There are many things I learned from this horrible situation.

1. The hospital personnel didn’t believe I, mom, nurse, could understand the gravity of the situation. I knew if my child was alive in that unresponsive body, he would be frightened. Not knowing which, if any, of his senses were working, I made sure he knew I was there.
2. I understand that the doctors don’t always have all the answers.
3. I understood when talking with an attorney, I knew more about the medical aspects of this case than they did. I spent time teaching them medical aspects and the outcomes.
4. I wish I knew then what I know now about the legal aspects.
5. I learned that the person driving the truck, saw the kids playing. Watched the ball being thrown. He didn’t take his foot off the gas, nor did he apply the brakes. Because he just thought he would miss him.
6. Since that time, it has cost millions of dollars to get him educated, and medically – through 3 surgeries.

In trying to get the right medical and educational care for my son, it felt like I could get one step forward, just before I fell two steps back. It was a long and frustrating process. I always felt like I was fighting one system or another. The medical field didn’t know a lot about traumatic brain injuries, aka: TBI. And the educational system knew even less.

I was a hard working educated woman, who was willing to do whatever it took to help my son get better. By that, I knew he was NEVER going to be the same. Could he be functional in his world? I wanted him to be a functional member of society in the best way he could be.

Taking Action

I remember wondering what other people do in this situation. When he was at a point that I could do things outside of caring for him, I enrolled in a certified legal nurse consultant program. This was fascinating. However, this program just didn’t cover all the aspects that I had learned by trial and error.

Then I learned about a new program called “Life Care Planning”. I enrolled in their program, and between these 2 areas, I am able to work with attorneys, doctors, families, and insurance companies to ensure that individuals get the care that they need.

I kept detailed records of progress and events throughout my sons recovery.  I had to learn how to advocate by cross referencing information from the medical charts, educational records, and resource information.  I learned how to write an individual education plan, and a functional behavioral assessment in order to achieve the appropriate educational placement at a residential school for children with TBI.

The Family Care Plan

The most important information I had was placed in a binder, known as the “Family Care Plan”.  It included medical, legal, educational and personal information. When service providers requested information, I would have the information in the binder and available which prevented delays in service.  I took this binder to every meeting that had to do with my child.

With many years of nursing experience, medical knowledge, and personal journey with TBI gave me a perspective on the challenges incurred by individuals and families with a disability.

I believe that a life care plan and family care plan are both essential for individuals and the families who experience catastrophic illness and injury in their lives.

Let Us Help You!

For several years now, my partner and I have been helping families with similar stories such as mine.  R Gordon Medica-Legal Services is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals.