Similar to the period of time when both national and local news covered Clinton's sex life full time, the distraction provided a haven of opportunity for businesses, and state and local governments. They casually planned and implemented private alliances, and ideas that the public would be spared from knowing about...... for their own good. A corrupted local police department helped 'serve and protect'.
I was not merely an unfortunate and 'unplanned for accident. I was a major mistake that could not be undone. The dilemma was largely the result of my private physician contacting the medical director of this hospital prior to my admission. He wanted to make sure, that the medical and nursing staff had the skills and experience to treat my various coexisting problems. Not only was he reassured, but the medical director promised to personally oversee my admission and care for the period of my hospitalization.
When my admission could not be prevented as a result of the medical director's 'screwing up' , and taking liberties he did not have,( i.e. admission privilages) ....alternative plans were in order.
When those did not work, and the hospital was faced with having no other choice but to admit me....big risk.....the first priority was naturally to remove my doctor from the scene. To accomplish that, it became necessary to remove the medical director from the hospital for the time being, along with the exchange of information that had taken place between the two doctors. This information about me was never passed on to the staff physician who was now robbed from a needed break, and forced to fill in to work for the medical director.
A once deserving, and highly respected private...not for profit ....specialty hospital, had over the past few years been converted into something that I can best describe as a multifunctional 'prostitute'. Treatment had become limited to that of criminals, or the court mandated, and it was funded almost entirely by state and federal grants, medicaid, and private contributers.
Federal research by the NIH was hosting research still in the pilot stages at the time. The subjects were repeat hardcore criminals and meth-amphetamine abusers. They were imported from a high-crime county other than the one surrounding my own community.
The task was to change their criminal thinking through sanctions and rewards. Should they succeed in graduating the program, all their criminal charges would be erased permanently. They had a choice between entering this program, and/or jail/prison. If they terminated by choice, or were terminated by the court, things would be back to 'sqare one'.....meaning prison or jail. They had already waived their rights for re-trial when they entered the program.
I did not have that choice, and I was completely unprepared for what was coming. Expectations are highly important to the outcome of an event. I had never even been charged with, or accused of committing a crime. Both professionals and non-professionals in the community, and entire state alike, were clueless....minus the few insiders.
For this I paid $1000.00/day in cash. I found out later that I had excellent medical benefits for treatment at this hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital could hardly take the risk of billing my insurance......it did not cover 'behavioral treatment', and especially not the treatment of criminals , or of programs that were entirely funded by federal, and local, and research grants, or medicaid. (with exceptions limited to outpatient treatment ). This 'parent location' of the hospital had by now grown, and it encompassed around eight or nine outpatient facilities throughout the state.
I was lied to about my insurance benefits and trustingly paid cash.....my admission had been an emergency.
Guarding the medical unit of the hospital was a man who had been one of the first graduates from the 'brainwashing program'.....he had actually become a counselor. He was no more than 50% human, and otherwise robot.
PS: A private contract between the state and this hospital promised the latter immunity from legal actions against any of their policies and/or actions.
"Slight not what's near through aiming at what's far."-Euripides
The author lives in Eugene, OR. Interests include 'Group Psychotherapy' and 'Psychodrama'. She is also an RN. One 'Favorite Quote': 'Insanity is the exception in individuals. In groups, parties, peoples and times it is the rule.' ......Friedrich Nietzsche
Thank you for your article.... how sad the behaviors of our society's leaders are especially if you are one that chooses to meet the system head on.
Our country has turned into a "Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation" (SLAPP)... when moral and healthcare decisions are based on "fear and intimidation", with a total disregard for the true meaning of professional care and ethics.
If people like yourself do not continue to meet the system head on or if our society continues to successfully in intimidate the public's participation in matters of safety, professional and medical care, where will it lead us?
This is a sad and discouraging thought.... thank you for sharing with deep passion, that it can happen to anyone... meeting the system "head on"; however, please don't give up now or ever..... the world needs you and so many others with the courage like yourself.
by
Debby Bodkin (42 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 46 comments)
on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 9:35:51 AM
Thanks, Debby! I think we have a lot in commen; it feels good to be supporting each other.....'knowing' something that is not easy to share...the soul.
by
Katrin R. (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 525 comments)
on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 10:14:14 AM
