A sad day on Saturday

DavidMn · #1 12-11-2006, 05:39 PM

Ok I need to set this up by explaining something first. My mother does adult foster care for vulnerable adults. She was one of those people that was jaded by her job and decided to step up and REALLY do some good for soceity by providing these people with a home with loving care, not some cold uncaring nursing home. Anyway, she started 3 years ago and loves it! We had 3 guys at the house. Mitch, 42, who's schizophrenic, the sweetest guy you could ever want to meet. Mike, 46, who has what's called Brittle diebetes, and Mark, 42, who's also Schizophrenic. I am also liscenced to take care of the guys if my mother and stepdad are busy. One of the things I enjoyed TREMENDOUSLY was taking Mike and Mark to Twins baseball games, as they are both huge baseball fans. I thought to myself, this isnt work. I mean I get to do something I enjoy very much while at the same time providing the guys with an opportunity they might not have otherwise. It really meant alot to me. Well, Mark, the 42 year old, who's a very big guy, probably 6'0 about 300 wasnt feeling well last week, and on Saturday morning when he didnt come downstairs for breakfast, my stepdad went upstairs to find him dead in his bed of a massive heart attack. I struggle to understand why someone that wouldnt hurt anyone ever would go this way so young. It's not right. The only solace I take out of it all was the fact that for a couple years I was a part of making his life better. R.I.P Mark, i will miss you.

PsychCat · #2 12-11-2006, 05:51 PM

Thanks for sharing, DavidMn...
My heart goes out to you and your family during this time.
Perhaps there is some solace to be found not in his loss but in his presence... that you did infact get to share life with him. Before completing this part of his journey, he left you and all those he met (even those of us here who only "know" you) with a wonderful gift.... whatever that might be to each of us.

Peace and blessings to you and your family during this time and for all y'all do to make this world a better place.

DrummerDeanna · #3 12-11-2006, 05:54 PM

How sad...your family is amazing for providing the service they do - I didn't even know such a thing (adult foster care) existed!

I am sorry for your loss..he's in a better place now, where he will no longer suffer or have to face the problems of his disability

jannieC · #4 12-11-2006, 06:31 PM

Oh David, that is just so sad! But what a wonderful thing your family is doing. xoxoxo

DavidMn · #5 12-11-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

Oh David, that is just so sad! But what a wonderful thing your family is doing. xoxoxo

You know, these people, they cant erally live on their own, and BELIEVE ME, if they wre in nursing homes or other places like that, that wouldnt have a happy life at all.

estranged4life · #6 12-11-2006, 06:42 PM

That's sad to hear David, Especially during this time of the year.

What your family is doing for those adults is very honorable to me (I had an older half-sister who suffered schizophrenia)

DavidMn · #7 12-11-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estranged4life

That's sad to hear David, Especially during this time of the year.

What your family is doing for those adults is very honorable to me (I had an older half-sister who suffered schizophrenia)

Thank you. Thats so ncie of you to say. Mom's not having a good time of it right now.

carrie721 · #8 12-11-2006, 06:53 PM

i'm so sorry david. i'll be thinking of you and your family.

jannieC · #9 12-11-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

You know, these people, they cant erally live on their own, and BELIEVE ME, if they wre in nursing homes or other places like that, that wouldnt have a happy life at all.

I was just sitting here thinking that at least he didn't die alone in a hospital or nursing home and he knew he was loved and cared for.

JazmenFlowers · #10 12-11-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

I was just sitting here thinking that at least he didn't die alone in a hospital or nursing home and he knew he was loved and cared for.

exactly.

all the best to you David!

PsychCat · #11 12-11-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

You know, these people, they cant erally live on their own, and BELIEVE ME, if they wre in nursing homes or other places like that, that wouldnt have a happy life at all.

You are right on. Having worked with folks like this in the psych hospital, they are often just shuttled between nursing homes and psych hospitals... depending on how long either the insurance lasts or the patience of the staff. I truly felt for these folks because there is often a lack of stable environment or anyone to truly care for them. I am relieved to hear of people like you and your folks. Y'all are giving life, stability, and opportunity where there otherwise may have been little or none.

God love ya all.

irishgrl · #12 12-11-2006, 08:55 PM

David, working in Social Services as I do, I can admire the gift your family gave these men, especially since I know just how horrible the alternative is for a lot of them. I pray your family will find comfort in the knowledge that you eased Mark's life at the end, and he was safe and warm and dry when he passed. For many, thats the best blessing of all.

sara1998 · #13 12-11-2006, 09:02 PM

I'm so sorry for the loss. I think it's amazing what you and your family do.

CelticGypsy · #14 12-12-2006, 12:12 AM

You and your family are heroes in my book. It is very honorable to gave a home to someone that needed a family and good friends in their lives.

I am sad to hear about your dear friend but it is nice to know that they had a good life with your family. God always takes the good ones much too early, it seems.

Phoenix · #15 12-12-2006, 12:21 AM

Oh David that is sad. I wish you and your family all of the best for bieng the kind people that you are. That really is something special, and something to be proud of. Im sure that it was/is/and will allways be apreciated. you guys were his angels