Dad upset over child's care
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December 6, 2012 |
On Friday, October 26, I picked up my daughter
for the weekend. I noticed she had a deep hoarse
cough.
She has endured numerous bouts with bronchitis
and has had several ear infections, resulting in
ruptured eardrums, over the last two years.
Because of this, I carefully watch over my
daughter’s health.
On Sunday, October 28, I questioned my ex-wife
about the wisdom of trick or treating. She had
previously invited me to go trick or treating
with her and my daughter.
On Wednesday, October 31, my ex informed me that
my daughter would not be trick or treating after
all, due to the illness. I asked her then to
take my daughter to the doctor. My ex,
selfishly, does not allow me the ability to
schedule doctors visits, and cancels those I do
set for my daughter. Immediately after
requesting
the doctors visit, I was assured it would be
done that day.
On Thursday, November 1, I asked about the
doctors visit, twice, and was finally assured I
would be notified of the results.
On Friday, November 2, I asked about the doctors
visit, again twice, and received no response
from my ex-wife. Several hours later, Bonners
Ferry Family Medicine called and notified me
that my daughter had pneumonia. I asked twice
for a copy of the exam report, and received
silence.
On Monday, November 5, I again called Bonners
Ferry Family Medicine twice to request a copy of
the exam report for my daughter. After two
promises to send the report over…nothing.
On Tuesday, November 6, after yet another call
to request the results of my daughter’s exam, I
was finally informed first, that she suffered
from a cold. After reminding the receptionist of
our earlier conversation, I was informed it was
an upper respiratory infection. Finally, after
reminding the receptionist one more time of our
conversation Friday, It was finally admitted
that my daughter did indeed have pneumonia. That
afternoon, I finally received the exam report.
On Wednesday, November 7, I approached Margaret
Huggins, owner and manager of Gabby Goose
Daycare, to verify whether or not she knew my
daughter had pneumonia. Margaret stated that she
did and that I shouldn’t worry as “pneumonia was
not contagious”, and that she had children come
to daycare “all the time with pneumonia,"
further stating that “kids get sick all the
time…no big deal."
I then informed Margaret that, since my daughter
had a history of bronchitis and ear infections,
her lungs were weakened and she therefore needed
close observation.
On Thursday, November 8, while attending a
parent/teacher conference with Mrs. Alvarez
(Sarah’s teacher) I found that Mrs. Alvarez
still did not know that my daughter had
pneumonia or even any illness for that matter. I
also learned that the lunch lady at Valley View
Elementary had, in fact, been the person to call
attention to my daughter’s illness. Until then,
on one else had either noticed the illness or
taken any steps to contact myself or my ex-wife,
who had neglected to see to her own daughters
medical needs as well.
I think it is sad that an estranged parent,
trying to insure his or her child’s safety,
would be blocked from doing so by Bonners Ferry
Family Medicine or Gabby Goose Daycare.
Moreover, it seems as if the management at Gabby
Goose Daycare cares little for the health of its
students and doesn’t even understand
the risks and dangers of communicable illnesses
such as pneumonia…let alone how to spot them.
Kudos to the lunch lady…and the staff of Valley
View Elementary for looking after my little
girl!
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Dennis Watson
Ponderay, Idaho |
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