Sunday, February 3, 2013

I Have Had Better Days

Believe me I will not be upset if you pass this post by! I will probably take it down soon anyway. I am just disillusioned these days by those who victimized others, who feel no guilt for what they do. As many of you know, I am the parent of an adult with developmental disabilities. Dan is not perfect, no one is, but he is kind and friendly and willing to help out others. Unfortunately, this can mean he is often taken advantage of. A couple of weeks ago as is my habit I visited Danny with his usual weekly money. Grocery money, money to eat out one evening, and cash for every day. He gets four dollars a day to spend on soda, etc. This was taken care of on Sunday night. On Monday around noon he was calling to remind me that he needed his money for the week. His support staff was coming and he needed the money soon! I argued with him but he was so upset I finally went over to his apartment. Sure enough all the money was gone. I emptied my wallet so he could shop and asked a few questions. Turns out he has been befriended by a young man living in the same complex. This guy often borrows from Danny and uses his phone and hangs out in his apartment. He was there that morning, and he was there the next Monday morning before eight o'clock. . Told Danny he needed to use his phone because his truck was not running. By nine  I was getting a call that all his daily money was once again gone. I have changed whet we do for grocery money and eating out money or that would probably be gone as well. Danny lives on seven hundred dollars a month. This was devastating!

If you are familiar with the innocence of many of the disabled you will understand why this can happen. What I don't understand is the person who thinks this behavior is okay. This is one of those times when I have to say I am done. I hope you are having a better month than I am. I know things will get better and it could be worse.

7 comments:

Sharon Stroud said...

Nadine: I'm not exactly sure what to say--there are no words. But please know that there are good, kind people in the world. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy said...

Nadine I was so sad to read about this. What a shameful and terrible thing for this to have happened to Dan. Maybe you should press charges against this person. Maybe a talk with someone in authority will let him know that he cannot take advantage of Dan again. Have you thought of giving Dan a grocery card from the store so that he won't have to use cash?
Give Dan an extra hug from me. He is a good man and doesn't deserve this.

Kerry said...

Omgoodness nadine could not believe this story.
Good you could vent and put changes in place. Not sure how you can stop this fella using your sons phone.
Cheers kerry in Sydney

Purple Pam said...

So sorry to read that Danny was taken advantage of so blatently by an unscrupulous person. Can charges be made against the other person?

Kay Harmon said...

Very sad. I just don't understand how people can be so mean. I agree with Kathy - maybe a grocery card?

Margaret said...

A lesson learned. I hope that others heard this story so that they can protect themselves, too. Perhaps the young man can be relocated. (The problem with a grocery card is that it can be stolen, too.) I hope the other fellow did not take his phone.

Sharon Stroud said...

Nadine: It's been a very long time since you posted. Please let us know that you are okay. We are concerned and want you to know we care about you.

Please take good care of yourself.