Alright everyone. I felt the need to write this blog since there are quite a few of you who question why I keep going back to these weight checks set for Lucas just to hear them tell me he is not thriving. Simple answer: I have no choice. Yes, it is mandatory. No, it won't matter even if I end up getting switched off post. I will have to continue these checks presumably until he is at what they consider a proper weight/height ratio. I'm not just saying this. Let me show you why.
In the state of Georgia, any doctor can call child protective services if they feel that someone is neglecting the medical needs of their children. I've screenshot a page directly from the state of Georgia's website:
If I were to refuse to attend these appointments, they can simply make one phone call and have an investigation launched. All CPS has to see is that I blatantly refused medical services for my child and they can take them away from me. So will I continue to go to these useless, in my opinion, appointments and listen to them tell me that my child is not gaining enough weight and I should do this that and the other? Yes. You would, too, if you were faced with this information.
What exactly is "medical neglect"?
Medical Neglect: The denial or deprivation, by those responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child, of medical or surgical treatment or intervention which is necessary to remedy or ameliorate a medical condition which is life threatening or causes injury. Medical Neglect includes not only serious, but mild and moderate medical neglect as well.
What exactly do they consider the sign so neglect?
Physical Indicators / Characteristics of Medical Neglect:
The indicators of child abuse and neglect vary. No child or caretaker will exhibit all of the physical or behavioral indicators listed, and some of the indicators are contradictory. The behavior of an abused or neglected child and other family members may be sporadic and unpredictable. Indicators should be used only as a general guide. The presence of multiple indicators or the pervasiveness of any one behavioral indicator warrants close scrutiny by the worker.
- Untreated serious physical or psychological illness or injury;
- Developmental delays (see Developmental milestones of children chart in appendix);
- Failure to thrive (see failure to thrive in appendix section).
But wait, there's more!
Other Factors to Consider
- Failure of parent to follow through on a medical professional's advice/instructions
- Failure to seek treatment impairs the child physically or emotionally
- Parent is aware of the child's condition and risk of further harm to the child
- Parent fails to seek adequate treatment despite financial or other reasonable means to do so
So exactly what evidence can they base this on?
Evidence is collected by law enforcement personnel, Children’s Division (CD) and multi-disciplinary team members and used as both physical and credible verbal evidence to document the worker's investigative conclusion. Evidence for reports of medical neglect may include any one or all of the following:
- Child's Statement;
- Licensed Medical Practitioner Report;
- Perpetrator's Statement;
- Witness' Statement.
What does this mean? That if I refuse to go to the appointments and refuse to abide by the advice given, all it will take is a simple phone call and a written report report by the doctor and nutritionist stating that I have done so. With just that little information, they would be able to launch an investigation against me. Do I think this is fair? Not at all. So I think they really have anything on me? Not in the least. Will I do everything it takes to make sure there isn't going to be a case against me? You bet. So I hope this explains why I continue to let these people make me upset over it.
For the record, I don't think there is a thing wrong with Lucas other than being MSPI. Conner grew exactly the same as Lucas is now, and if you were at Fort Bliss, you can probably remember that entire mess. CPS was called at Fort Bliss and I had to do a hospital stay with Conner to be under surveillance for 72 hours. It was ridiculous and heartbreaking and I WILL NOT be forced to go through that again. If you think you have the means to outwit the state of Georgia law, be my guest.
