Who gives a Damn about the Children who have aged out of Foster Care

November 26, 2008 10:53:15

Posted By Dr. Willie Myles

This is a real situation that I faced last week that spilled over into this week involving a 19 year old healthy male who use to be in my group home. Perfect health and working one day, in intensive care and homeless the next day………..

A healthy young man who aged out of foster care and who used to live in one of my foster home comes to visit me at my office. He is all smiles and has the look of strength and resiliency. He tells me that he is having a hard time because he recently lost his job. He chose to work, instead of receiving the $1100.00 independent living check. He explains to me that in order for him to get this check he must be enrolled in school. Michael graduated from High School with a 3.03 grade point average , and says that he needed more than the independent living check to survive (by the way, we had agreed that I would get him into FAMU this summer). He landed a job making $12 dollars an hour; however he recently lost the job due to the down turn in the economy. Michael now sleeps on the floor at a friend house, which happens to live with her mother. He is now in a situation of being homeless. He tells me his cell phone is off. This is his only communications with the few friends he has. I pay his cell phone bill, and give him money to take the bus back to his home. I wonder what is going to happen to him. My heart grieves.

Michael called me that next day to tell me that he is at a local hospital, because he was having excruciating pain in his abdomen. He informed me that he was at the Memorial Regional Hospital in the emergency room. He told me that he had taken some test and that he was given two prescriptions. I headed to the hospital to get him. I am very concerned about the turn of events. I took him to get the medications and he heads home.

Two days later Michael calls me to tell me that he had gone to a local because he was in so much pain. He was told that he needs emergency surgery. He tells me that his left testes have swollen to the size of a lemon. He is immediately taken to Jackson North Hospital, in Miami. I head to the hospital to find out what is going on. The drive on the turnpike send endless. When I got there I met the surgeon. He states that it is evident that Michaels left testes has to be removed. He further states that it had been strangulated for more than 24 hours, and he was not sure if he could save it. My concern was that he was just released from Memorial West two days before. Did they not see this and what test had they done?

I sit in the waiting room while the surgery is in progress. 30 minutes, 1 hour, the surgeon enters the waiting room to inform me that everything went well

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2 Comment(s):

Rev.Al said...

This is a sad situation. No child should have to experience what Michael is going through. This is a prime example of a child falling through the cracks. I thank God for you being there for him Dr. Myles. Have you thought of giving Dr. Phill, Tom Joyner or Oprah a phone call? There has to be someone who is willing to intervene on Michael's behalf. What about the local pastors in the area. This is why we must lobby our legislators to add additional funding for programs that are supporting children. Are they really for KIDS, are their just KIDDING. How many other children like Michael who is face with no family to call his own? Many of the children in foster never get adopted for whatever the reason maybe. However, the majority of African American children are the last to be adopted. What is the church doing about that? Nothing in fact; Ask me how I know this to be true. I talk with pastors daily. We are called to serve, not to be served too. It appears the CHURCH has lost it’ true MISSION in life. I work with a non profit organization who focuses on finding permanent home for children in foster care. That is what I do. I am shocked at the response I get from pastors. I’m most cases they don't respond at all. Jesus commanded that we take care of the widows and orphans. We must do better for our children. How can we say we love Jesus whom we have never seen? Yet. we see the children in need and look the other way. God is not pleased. It time for a change we can believe in. We are that change. Let show some love, help a brother (Michael) out. I will keep Michael in my prayers After reading Michael story I was touched by what Dr. Myles is doing. I’m going to step up and do something, What about "YOU"? Remember the REASON for the SEASON. Peace & Blessings Rev. Al

December 4, 2008 02:22:24

Madafo said...

I feel your pain Brother Myles. Even in my understanding, I too am baffled by the absence of men, in our community, who are Black, Ready and Capable. Peace and Blessings to you and to those who choose to give of themselves. Hopefully, in this "New Day", our backs will, again, become unbowed. My Brother!

November 26, 2008 06:35:51