Another Thanks

Just at the end of the inauguration, I thought about all the digs on Bush in Obama's speech and how everyone is so happy to be rid of him. I'm not here to get into that discussion. I'm ready to move on from Bush also, but we personally owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He did something good for this small NE Ohio family.

Just about when Mom was at her wits end with lawyers being bought out from under her, the probate court taking favors from the other side, and all the other events that couldn't be proven but were obvious, she made one leap of faith and contacted the White House.

One time she got through and started telling Grandma's story. The White House rep on the other end asked her to hold on and transferred the call to someone who couldn't give his name but identified himself by agent number. This man listened with interest and urged Mom to write a letter and fax it to the White House. He gave Mom the President's direct fax number.

No we didn't believe it was actually his direct number either, but what did she have to lose.

"Dear Mr. President,
I know that your time needs to be spent focusing on National Security, international policies, and victims of natural disasters so normally I would never even consider bothering you with something like this, but sir, I have nowhere else to turn.
My mother is an 83 year old Alzheimer's patient and she has been exploited by someone that she thought was a trusted friend. I have reported this to the (local) police, the Cuyahoga county sheriff's dept., Adult Protective Services, Senior Adult Services, and Cuyahoga county Probate court. I have given all of them a two inch thick folder of evidence and documents that I have acquired over the past 9 months. When I call to check on the status of the case I am treated with absolutely no respect, I get the impression that I am bothering these people. The police tell me that they've sent the case file to the prosecutor but the prosecutor's office cannot find it. Adult Protective Services doesn't care that my mother has been conned our of her house and everything she's ever owned or that she is forced to live with strangers against her her will, as long as she is clean, well fed, and is getting proper medication that's find with them. Senior Adult Services makes excuses for Adult Protective Services and their ridiculous policies, and Magistrate Shankman of the Cuyahoga County Probate court has no respect for me because I choose not to be represented by an attorney. I explained to him that the last attorney I hired had misrepresented me to the probate court and that he had advised me to "start greasing some palms like my mother's "trusted friend" does and maybe things will start going my way" and that I refused to be part of anything like that.
My belief is that there is a lot of corruption and incompetence (in that order) in the Cuyahoga County justice system. I believe that if you have enough money and the right connections that you can get away with anything and I am disgusted that is the case in this country. All I am trying to do is make sure that a criminal is brought to justice and that my mother's house and property is returned to her. I also want other Americans that might be involved in a similar situation to be able to get honest and competent help in a more efficient way than I've experienced.
I really don't expect you to roll up your sleeves and involve yourself in this but if there is any way that you could put me in touch with someone that can (and will) help it would mean everything to one little 83 year old lady and her family here in Ohio."

Shortly after faxing the above letter, Mom gets official mail from the post office.

"On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your correspondence.
We are sending your inquiry to the Department of Health and Human Services. This agency has the expertise to address your concerns. They will respond directly to you, as promptly as possibly.
The President sends his best wishes."

Another week or so goes by and she gets this after being contacted by someone by phone.

"This letter is in response to your correspondence to President Bush regarding your concern, that your mother is being exploited by former family members. One of my staff, (name removed 1), after having talked with you, at your recommendation, also spoke to (name removed 2) of Adult Guardianship Services. (Name removed 1) indicated that they have accepted your mothers case, to provide free legal care, to hopefully remedy this situation. You are to be complimented for your devotion and commitment to your mothers care."

Everything happened so quickly and we have people who really care on this case. It has still been over two years since this correspondence with the President and other parties but they are still working hard for us.

Thank you so much President Bush.