- P
Hello, This week we lost our beloved brother, Patrick, to COVID. In our grief and sorrow, we are arranging for Patrick's longtime partner, Diane, to be his beloved young daughter's legal guardian, as per Patrick's wishes. She is 11, has Down Syndrome and he was a single father at Christena's birth -- the birth mother abrogated responsibility and has not participated in Christena's life. I am Christena's auntie; she is my namesake. We want to finalize the legal guardianship, which is costing thousands, and secure the child's future with proper medical care and schooling, possibly a special needs or group home or trade school down the road. I wrote about our family's love for her (we are all participating in her care and support, but with her dad now gone, we want to make sure she has the best we can secure.) I wrote a story about her for a magazine. This link is an excerpt:
She is a bright tender-hearted and kind child, considered high functioning despite her disability. She asked us recently when she'll see her daddy again: "I know he is in heaven, but when is he coming back?" She has had five surgeries for her birth defect and will need more. Diane, her other aunties and remaining uncle, cousins, etc. are surrounding her with love, helping move her belongings, share her dad's few items. Patrick was a kind and generous guy, talented artist and guitarist and devout member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He had 14 surgeries in 5 years and was unable to pursue his counseling career after graduating in his 50s with honors. His friends and others suggested this route as a way to make certain Christena thrives and gets the best care in her uncertain future. Thank you very much from the family who is looking out for her as a way of honoring our dear, loving Patrick. He adored her. Patrick's obituary, which I wrote, was in the Feb. 5 Billings Gazette. Click on the link below: