Baldwin

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

In case you missed it on Co-Cure today, here's an update by Pat Fero on a

16-year-old boy with CFS in North Carolina who was taken from his parents and

put in a foster home because Social Services didn't understand why he was

sick--thought his parents must be the problem.

Pat Fero, the mother of a teenager with CFS who died unexpectedly, suggests that

people send a card to . I just wrote him a note and enclosed a very funny

picture. I hope the Social Services person who opens it gets a good laugh.

Sue B.

=============================

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:32:29 -0400

From: " Pat Fero <bp.fero@...> via Co-Cure Moderator "

<ray@...>

Subject: ACT: Concerning Baldwin

Please repost far and wide.

Hello,

Information about Baldwin, a 16 yr old NC kid in foster care 90

days, has been posted on lists internationally. If you need

background, please e mail me back or look in list archives.

The Baldwin family had 3 days in court this week. Here is a brief summary.

Dr. Cheney testified the first day. In his usual eloquent style,

he was well prepared for questions, and went way beyond the court's

knowledge of CFS, POTS and the heart condition of this particular

kid. My understanding is that Dr. Cheney thought that should

not be climbing stairs several times a day to eat or to go outside

and that definitely needs his power wheel chair.

The second day, the Department of Social Services (DSS) called

to the stand. She had prepared a timeline for years of medical

issues, appointments, medications and so on, so she said she was able

to stay on track with the questions.

That same day, the parents were sequestered with audio and video camera so they

could watch testify. tells me that he faced the camera, was calm and

answered the questions without a negative or hostile attitude.

tells me it appeared that their attorney fashioned questions after

Dr. Cheney's responses. told me over and over that said she and

her husband, Rodney, were so proud of the !

They were allowed to see him for 15 minutes at the end of the day, but not

allowed to ask

him medical questions or anything about the foster home.

The third day, several doctors testified. The DSS social worker was

on the stand in the afternoon. tells me that the social worker

could not answer specifics on many questions, but 's atty

produced the documents to help her remember. thought that the

Judge might make a decision yesterday. However, he called a recess,

asked both attorneys into chambers, and when he came out, the court

dismissed until MAY 18th.

17 - 18 more days with no information and no social contact is a long

time for a 16 year old kid. It is not like he has TV or computer use

even to complete school work. His grandfather did get him a short

wave radio. told the court that he loves to fool with it.

As a community we understand isolation. does not get mail, so

how about we all send him a " Thinking of you card " or " Cheers " , " Good

Luck " something general like that. You could make a card from a

cartoon or paste a picture, use a card you have, whatever you want.

The cost is a stamp.

If you are not in US, you might sign several names onto a card and

mail as one. I am thinking about how a teenage would feel should a

bag of mail appear at the foster home which is fairly isolated in the

mountains in North Carolina. It could be very fun for him. And a

stamp from Belgium or Japan? Kids love that kind of thing.

I asked how gets mail. It all has to go through social

services. Please, Please send a card to at the address listed

below. Don't forget to sign your name inside with the place where you

live in case he loses the envelopes. My understanding is that no one

is allowed to ask him how he is feeling physically or mentally. I

have no idea if the DSS will open mail.

Baldwin

C/O SW Biffle

PO BOX 7408

Dept of Social Services ( DSS )

Asheville, NC 28802-7408

LASTLY, please forward this note to any lists, friends, anywhere on

the planet and feel free to shorten as you wish. The bottom line is

to get a mail bag of cards to within the next week or so to help

him know that he is not alone.

Thank you,

Pat Fero

Wisconsin