Pulling my HIPAA

I am one irate mother tonight, and someone is sure to hear my wrath tomorrow. Take heed, Early Steps, you just irked the wrong mother.

But, maybe it would help if I gave you a little background with the straw that broke the camel's back.

Over the past month, I have already been rubbed the wrong way on both ends--meaning speech and physical therapy. Apparently, both therapists gave my babysitter their take on what they "think" is wrong with Brandt. One referring to Brandt as possibly being autistic, the other believing him to have dyspraxia (aka: clumsy child syndrome). When the babysitter told me that the therapists shared this with her, it rubbed me the wrong way. Brandt's medical status is no one's business but mine and Darrin's, and the HIPAA patient privacy act tends to agree with me. Furthermore, it annoyed me that they would share this with the baby sitter but not with me. And, I really don't think that "therapists" are qualified to make medical judgements, either. But, I didn't want to be one of those mothers that is so far in denial that they cannot accept reality, so I took it in and let it go.

But, today, was the final straw. I was talking with the babysitter, and she informed me that Brandt's annual evaluation with Early Steps would take place next week at her house. Flat out--I was pissed. Words can't even touch the amount of anger that was surging through veins. The babysitter should not be the one informing me of this evaluation--my family service plan coordinator should be. And 'I' should be informed--not the babysitter. My presence should be requested, if not required. It is just damn ridiculous. I am his mother--I am in charge of his care. I am the one who has vested interest in the services he receives. I am the one who is with him and knows what he can and can't do. I love my sitter, but there is no way in hell that I am going to let the fate of my son's future lie in anyone's hands. I WILL be there for that evaluation--mark my words, I will.

In the meantime, I left a voicemail with my family service plan coordinator at Early Steps. Believe me, she will be returning my message tomorrow, or I will be on the phone with her supervisor. She does not want to mess with me because I will file a grievance with Tallahassee so fast. I am not some undereducated mother that is unaware of state and federal guidelines. I am very aware, and she will know just how aware tomorrow.

God help this screwed up system. Better home I sleep some of this steam off before my phone call tomorrow.