Monday, August 13, 2007

Discouragement.....

*

I followed up on my notification to the authorities, both Adult Protective Services and the Sheriff, about the situation regarding Mr. Kessel.....

And I found out that.....

Nothing was done.

And I'm pissed off and disappointed.

I found out that Adult Protective Services went out to see Mr. Kessel and declared: "There's no law against a person sitting in their own poop."

And then I found out that the Sheriff's Deputy who went to interview Mr. Kessel had said: "Hey, this is Texas. It's a citizen's legal right to keep guns and ammunition in their home. And about that so-called 'pistol threat'----it was a 'third-party threat', which is hard to prove in court. He told me that he never made such a threat, and so there's nothing we can do about it--- because it's his word against the girl's word who reported that she'd supposedly heard him make the threat. And his dog seems well-fed and happy."

Oh LORD, give me patience.....

Because.... I'm going to admit here that I was not surprised at all that Adult Protective Services didn't do a dadgum thing. I've worked in Austin, Dallas, and here in Podunk---and out of all the myriad of cases that I have reported to them, they have NEVER ONCE gotten anything accomplished. In fact, my past experiences with them have always proved so futile that I knew when I called them that they'd probably end up doing nothing----and sure enough....

But I AM surprised at the Sheriff's office. I mean, that Deputy HAD to have noticed the guy's living circumstances. He would have HAD to have noticed that Mr. Kessel was sitting in poop and pee, surround by equally disgusting squalid and filthy circumstances. Thus, that Deputy would have HAD to have figured out that NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would live that way.

I'm wondering if the dang Deputy was in HIS right mind, you know what I mean?

Yet nobody did anything.

I guess the authorities won't take notice until the guy either hurts himself or hurts somebody else. Anyway, we had to discharge the patient from our services, of course. And so I don't know what is going to happen to Mr. Kessel in the future. I really hope and pray that he gets the help he needs. It must be a miserable existence---and I know in my heart that he IS miserable, lonely and depressed---if not psychotic to boot.

This is the type of situation that causes road nurses to become greatly frustrated.

(Oh yes, and flash floods, too....)

The only good thing that came out of this situation is that the owners of the company stated that, from now on, they will listen to me if I tell them that a situation needs to be reported.

P.S: And to everybody who totally got on my case for getting into that flood water--Ouch!!!

I feel like I just got a whuppin' !!!!!!

Therefore, I solemnly swear that I will NEVER EVER drive into a dang flash flood again!

(And after the fright of the flash flood episode was over....I....er...um... do admit that I felt like a Pure-D dang fool. So I promise, from now on, that I will do as the National Weather Service says and "Turn Around--Don't Drown" .)

(Cause I definitely don't want no more whuppin's......)

13 comments:

Unknown said...

I read the post about the flood and Mr.Kessel last night.. not thinking that TODAY would have been the day that you where supposed to go back to his place. When I read your post I was sooo relieved that you updated today! Thank God you're alright! :D

danielle said...

Yeah - we feel the same way here in my county about our CPS. They believe in keeping the family together no matter what...like some of these people are really going to show up for those parenting classes and all. Yeah right...CPS jsut prays that once they get a report those families will move to another county so they dont have to do anything about it! So I can totally understand your frustration!

Knitting Rose said...

We just whup you cuz we love you!
I am sorry nothing is being done - but I am thankful that you will be out of harms way. I am afraid for the neighbor now...
He must know that she told.
take care and stay out of the water (even though half of us would have done the same thing).

mielikki said...

That just sucks, Bo. That man sitting in that place, in that condition. . . my mind just shy's away from even considering it.
And, yes, the whuppin' was because we care. . .

Anonymous said...

As any good whupper would say "It hurt us more than it hurt you" ... hee-hee! Of course, it's 'cuz we LLLLLLOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE YOU!

We need some MAJOR overhauling of BOTH the child and adult protection services in this country, no doubt about it ...

poody said...

That is so not right! He is a danger to himself and others at this point! It was all you could do though! I know the feeling of helplessness in a situation like this. If only he had some family or friends. This is why you should be a nice person all your life so that you will have help when you need it! Karma baby!

I left the website for APS on the last comment and it should have been put on this one. Sorry! Hopefully you can just file the next report you have in line and not lose any more precious time sitting on hold with them! GRRR!!!

www.txabusehotline.org

Lily said...

Bo, I'm sorry you were unable to get that old man taken care of. I suppose he has to shoot someone before they do anything. May I suggest that you call the SPCA about that dog? I worry more have him than Mr. K. Do NOT tell me that in Texas, dogs go unprotected. That would prompt me to hit the road south! Lily in MA

Warrior Knitter said...

Oh, Bo, where would we be and what would we do if we had no Bo to read and inspire us.

Bo... said...

Hi y'all!

Thank you for your support and encouragement! This whole situation was definitely a frustrating mess....aaargh!

I appreciate the links, poody---I didn't have them before and I'll give a copy to all the nurses I know.

And yes, Lily--I did call our local animal authorities. It's a division which is a branch of the Sheriff's office, dang it--and they were no help because they said: "If the dog is being fed and watered, then what does it matter where it poops? We can't order that man to take the dog outside." (Double aaarghh....)

Anyway, onwards I plunge. If I ever hear anything through the Podunk "grapevine" about that guy, I'll let you guys know!

Thanks again--you guys are all the greatest of friends!

SeaSpray said...

Hi BRN - It is sad that some people live like this. Also, frustrating when authorities look the other way and you just pray nothing bad happens.

off topic but thought you might like to read the ER Wimpgar post I just put up. :)

My Own Woman said...

Some things just never cease to amaze me. .... if the sheriff doesn't think a person sitting in his own excrement isn't a threat to himself, than the sheriff should take his shoes off and stay a spell with the good ole boy. Maybe he'd feel just a little different.

Anonymous said...

And here I am sittin' in my own poop and thinkin', "These people just don't know what they're missin'." :o)

Btw, "Livin' on a Prayer" is a Bon Jovi song, not Van Halen.

Bo... said...

Dean:

Thanks! I fixed the song reference. I don't know where I got Van Halen---the heat here has me addlepated....