Vent - Disabled Child Danger

[belle&sebastiansmom]

Was at the hospital today in the lab and an older couple were there with their young teenage daughter.

I do not know what conditions the girl had, but she was wearing a padded helmet and from what I observed could not speak, she only made sounds, grunts and screams.

The parents had no control over her. She was carrying a filthy stuffed toy and was walking around the hospital barefoot. The entire family was dirty and smelled so awful that when they left the lab area, the attendant had to spray the room with air freshener. I only mention all of this to give you a picture for my next statement, not to condemn this family.

OK, so here's my real gripe. This child was a danger to herself, hence the helmet. At one point she started smacking her CD player into her face. She was playing with two empty soda cans, which obviously had been a toy of hers for a while. They were rusted and broken with sharp edges protruding. She went up to a newborn baby in a carrier and waved the aluminum cans right at the child's face. Luckily the mother grabbed the baby out of the way. This girl was banging and knocking into everyone around her. At this point, especially with sharp and dangerous objects, she was a problem to everyone around.

I took my child and went and stood around the desk where the techs were, didn't care whether they liked it or not.

I just could not believe that the parents did not do one thing to stop her. I'm sure she's a handful, but she was downright dangerous. The parents just sat back like she was everyone else's problem. They just kept saying to her, "If you don't stop, we're going home." Of course the kid would rather go home than get her blood drawn.

All parents need to take responsibility for their kids. It made me sad that they seemed like they didn't care about their child or anyone that their child may have hurt. Yes, they have an extra burden with a disabled child, but they aren't doing her any good from what I witnessed. It's a shame.

So that's my uncomfortable situation and vent for the day.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

What a horrible experince for your poor child!

Personally, I'd contact the medical office and file a complaint with the supervisor. Someone should have taken the rusted old cans away from her, since her parents were obviously not going to be responsible enough to see to her safety or the safety of everyone she came in contact with. You may also check into contacting your CPS office. Since you know about what time and day you were there, and may have even heard her name, you can turn her parents in for the very least child neglect. If they can't handle her, she needs to be placed somewhere that is better equipped to provide her proper care.