Bridget Writes: 01/23/17

Monday, January 23, 2017

When a Decision Can Cost a Life

Diabetes is one disease that making the wrong decision could end up costing someone their life. Those with Type 1 diabetes rely on insulin to remain alive and healthy every single day. This insulin can be given through multiple daily injections or an insulin pump. All of which also require the proper supplies to administer. They require constant monitoring and checking of their blood sugar levels.

What happens when access to these supplies is denied? What happens when a decision by one party affects the lives of young children they don't even know?

Let's face it when access to these supplies are denied, this can be fatal!

Why am I writing about this? Because this is the very circumstances our family is facing. I haven't talked much about what is going on behind the scenes in the Montgomery household other than to close friends and family members, but when my children's lives are hanging in the balance, I will put all pride aside and ask for help.

In August of 2016, my husband, who is a corrections officer at a state prison was assaulted by an inmate. This resulted in a sprained finger and a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) which has required consistent medical attention by many, many doctors and specialists.

Because of this assault, he has been unable to work while he heals and recovers. Unfortunately, a decision was made to deny his claim for workmen's compensation. While the process of an appeal was occurring, my husband used his leave from work to cover the time he was off, so that he would still receive his income and of course be able to pay for our health insurance premium since it comes out of his employment.

Of course, it's now January, and we thought by this time he'd of had a decision in the matter of his workmen's compensation appeal and he would continue to be paid. HOWEVER, that is not the case, he ran out of leave, which means he is no longer receiving any pay. This also means we are on the verge of very soon of losing our health insurance.

What does this mean for us? This means that access to the life-saving medical treatments and supplies for 2 of our children with Type 1 diabetes may be denied.

So where does this leave us? It leaves us without an income from my husband who is the main income earner in the household. It leaves us having to go through the process of applying for assistance for food and medical, which still has yet to be approved. It leaves us with the possibility of having NO coverage for life-saving medicine and treatments. It leaves us struggling to keep the electricity on, to keep our house warm, to keep a roof over our heads.

We're not new to struggle and we know that with this struggle we will overcome so many things. But when your children's life is in the balance, what is a mom to do?

I mentioned about needing help. I need help making my voice heard, I need help speaking for our family to let our representatives know what is happening and how the lives of children are at stake because of a 'decision' of one party to deny something that happened in their very institution by one of their inmates. My husband didn't ask to be assaulted, he went to work that morning hoping to have an uneventful workday and come home safe to his family. Instead, however, he had to endure an assault at the hands of a criminal, who already has hurt other officers before. Please see here: http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/inmate-sentenced-for-spitting-on-corrections-officer,1470601/ The August 10th incident is in reference to my husband.

That is where I need your help. I ask, beg, each and every one of you reading this to help me by contacting my representatives. Make the voice of our family heard, shout it to the mountain tops and help me keep my children alive!