If you know me you know that i do not like to complain.
For the last year we have been getting a taste of the system that we face for Lucas as he transitions into adulthood. We have spent hours in meetings identifying his needs and how the system can help us. Lucas will be finishing high school in 4 months. The greatest freedom Kelly and i have gotten in the last 10 years is when Keenan came here to Colorado a couple of years ago.
Keenan had 10 years of a very unstable life. It was hard for our family . But he adores and has always adored his brother Lucas and he is now present and stable.
In the last year or so, Kelly and I have had more getaways then we have in the 20 years that Lucas has been alive. We got to spend our 30th anniversary in Italy because Keenan stayed with him for two weeks. We have been able to go to Mexico for a week. We have taken countless weekends to the front range to see friends, or to the mountains or to Utah or various other places where we could just kick back . We come home to Lucas well cared for, happy and our cups full
Keenan has a history. His has a background. But he is the best brother Lucas will ever have. Keenan has given us a freedom that is invaluable. We want him to get paid. yes , we could pay him but the state has money set aside for Lucas. For the last year or so we have tried to access that money. It takes meetings, many unanswered emails and voicemails. Staff turns over and so you have to start over. He has funding but there is noone to provide the service. We have had people signed up who don't show up and come to find out they called that day and quit their job.
So we decided to have Keenan apply so that he can get paid when he is covering for "us" as it should be. He is working so he is not looking to be Lucas's caretaker but we hoped he could get reimbursed when he covers when Kelly and I go away. Respite, right?
He has spent the last three months trying to apply. No phone calls returned. Finally a foot in the door. He started the training process and come to find out that there is something on his background check that makes him incapable of being hired. He is our number one choice to care for his brother but the agency can not hire him. It is truly a broken system. And so the funds that the state designates for Lucas will go to someone who really does not care for him the way his brother would. I think as Lucas's parents we should be able to decide whether we trust Keenan to do the work .
The system is just broken in my mind. I am tired of trying to play it. It brings me back to my alternative ideas. Time to think outside the box. Again it brings me to my idea of moving to Mexico.
Feeling frustrated but in the long run, Lucas is happiest at home with us and we will make it work one way or the other
Longing for the perfect world... I am sure i will be longing for a while but i do believe that there is a better way than this.
And to keep it all in perspective. I feel sorrow and am praying for the people in Houston. I am also reminded of the amazingness of the human community spirit in stories that I hear and see.
My heart goes out especially strongly to my dear friend Randi Patel and her family ... xoxoxo . I hope you are comfortable and that your needs are met.
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