Donation protected
Helping Derek
Derek is an 18-year-old young man who, from all outward appearances, is your average 18-year-old. He loves to laugh, loves to make those around laugh even more. He's inquisitive, and will ask you a 1000 questions if you stand still long enough. He is loyal, loving, caring, and compassionate. However, Derek suffers from a multitude of medical conditions; not the least of which are, Autism, mental retardation, and schizophrenia. These afflictions cause him to fear thunder and lighting, struggle to learn, and see and hear things that aren’t real. The first two diagnoses, alone, are enough to frustrate the average child, and they frustrate Derek on a daily basis. However, they do not slow him down nor do they affect his love of life. It is the third diagnoses, the schizophrenia, which has derailed and disrupted his life. Over this past spring, summer and into the fall, Derek has experienced a number of "psychosis episodes". He has been crippled by thoughts, visions, and even smells that would torture even the soundest of minds. However, you see, Derek's is not the soundest of minds! His mental capacity, that of a toddler, cannot handle what it is envisioning, hearing, and thinking. He was hospitalized, in the spring, for harming himself, with no idea why he had done it! He was placed in a facility for teens in trouble; not at all helpful for a young man of Derek's intellectual level. He spent two weeks being scared out of his mind by the actions of the teens in the facility with him. This facility, was NOT for children like Derek!!
He spent the summer convinced that he had witnessed me stabbing a family member. Imagine the pain, fear, and confusion; a toddlers mind would experience having had these mental images. Derek did not sleep for days! We spent night after night after night trying to reassure him that I am NOT an evil person and that every member of his family was safe. Imagine the damage done to his fragile mind! He grew angry, bitter, scornful and untrusting of everyone around him. He would experience mood swings from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
About 10 days ago, Derek's internal battle came to an explosive head when he lashed out towards a teacher. Derek has described this teacher, on many occasions, as one of his best friends. This teacher has been by his side since day one of freshman year. The whole incident lasted no more than five minutes, but its effects on Derek will be lifelong. He cried immediately afterward (still cries about it) as he would NEVER hurt anyone when he is in his normal mind, let alone this teacher. His doctor was called and the decision made to bring Derek into Mental Health Crisis Center.
The decision to admit him to Crisis , two days shy of his 18th birthday, would prove to be the beginning of the latest battle in his saga. With guardianship paperwork still in the process, the timing for this hospitalization could not have been any worse. His age, and the absence of guardianship, has caused more problems than anyone could have imagined. Proper placement for Derek would be an adolescent facility, seeing as though he is mentally 5. However, being 18, most facilities would not consider him. He has been placed in an adult facility (wrong placement) in central Massachusetts and right from word go, I have run into issues because of the lack of guardianship. This facility has had Derek signing things; things that he cannot understand or even read. These are things his guardian, Me, should be reading and signing, not him. However, because the court is requiring certain evaluations and signatures, I am left on the outside looking in and Derek is left fending for himself. Imagine, a toddler trying to navigate this situation alone.
Now, we've been in contact with an attorney that specializes in these types of cases. She has jumped onboard and vowed to help us get Derek the help he needs. However, as you can imagine, this will cost us! We are asking that his friends, family, and supporters give whatever you can to help us help him! Derek, like any other person, deserves the best life he can get!
Derek is an 18-year-old young man who, from all outward appearances, is your average 18-year-old. He loves to laugh, loves to make those around laugh even more. He's inquisitive, and will ask you a 1000 questions if you stand still long enough. He is loyal, loving, caring, and compassionate. However, Derek suffers from a multitude of medical conditions; not the least of which are, Autism, mental retardation, and schizophrenia. These afflictions cause him to fear thunder and lighting, struggle to learn, and see and hear things that aren’t real. The first two diagnoses, alone, are enough to frustrate the average child, and they frustrate Derek on a daily basis. However, they do not slow him down nor do they affect his love of life. It is the third diagnoses, the schizophrenia, which has derailed and disrupted his life. Over this past spring, summer and into the fall, Derek has experienced a number of "psychosis episodes". He has been crippled by thoughts, visions, and even smells that would torture even the soundest of minds. However, you see, Derek's is not the soundest of minds! His mental capacity, that of a toddler, cannot handle what it is envisioning, hearing, and thinking. He was hospitalized, in the spring, for harming himself, with no idea why he had done it! He was placed in a facility for teens in trouble; not at all helpful for a young man of Derek's intellectual level. He spent two weeks being scared out of his mind by the actions of the teens in the facility with him. This facility, was NOT for children like Derek!!
He spent the summer convinced that he had witnessed me stabbing a family member. Imagine the pain, fear, and confusion; a toddlers mind would experience having had these mental images. Derek did not sleep for days! We spent night after night after night trying to reassure him that I am NOT an evil person and that every member of his family was safe. Imagine the damage done to his fragile mind! He grew angry, bitter, scornful and untrusting of everyone around him. He would experience mood swings from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
About 10 days ago, Derek's internal battle came to an explosive head when he lashed out towards a teacher. Derek has described this teacher, on many occasions, as one of his best friends. This teacher has been by his side since day one of freshman year. The whole incident lasted no more than five minutes, but its effects on Derek will be lifelong. He cried immediately afterward (still cries about it) as he would NEVER hurt anyone when he is in his normal mind, let alone this teacher. His doctor was called and the decision made to bring Derek into Mental Health Crisis Center.
The decision to admit him to Crisis , two days shy of his 18th birthday, would prove to be the beginning of the latest battle in his saga. With guardianship paperwork still in the process, the timing for this hospitalization could not have been any worse. His age, and the absence of guardianship, has caused more problems than anyone could have imagined. Proper placement for Derek would be an adolescent facility, seeing as though he is mentally 5. However, being 18, most facilities would not consider him. He has been placed in an adult facility (wrong placement) in central Massachusetts and right from word go, I have run into issues because of the lack of guardianship. This facility has had Derek signing things; things that he cannot understand or even read. These are things his guardian, Me, should be reading and signing, not him. However, because the court is requiring certain evaluations and signatures, I am left on the outside looking in and Derek is left fending for himself. Imagine, a toddler trying to navigate this situation alone.
Now, we've been in contact with an attorney that specializes in these types of cases. She has jumped onboard and vowed to help us get Derek the help he needs. However, as you can imagine, this will cost us! We are asking that his friends, family, and supporters give whatever you can to help us help him! Derek, like any other person, deserves the best life he can get!
Organizer
Holly Fournier-Gemma
Organizer
Salem, MA