Update from Gina 11/1/04

11/1/04

Dear Family & Friends,

Last week Gerry came home again for the weekend from Escondido. The Bakersfield Centre for Neuro Skills came out to evaluate Gerry for their renowned program. The evaluation was close to 4 hours, and Gerry stayed alert and focused for the whole thing. We learned more in this one evaluation than we have in the last 8 months! We believe that the Centre for Neuro Skills is where Gerry will get the treatment that he needs with the professionals who specialize in brain injury. Their recommendation is for Gerry to stay inpatient at the Centre for 4-6 months. They stated that Gerry is an ideal candidate for the treatment they provide, and they are hopeful that upon completion, Gerry could stay by himself, and possibly handle the tasks & responsibility of employment.

This weekend was again a difficult one with unfounded agitation, aggression and outbursts. The girls were hardly at home, and Gerry still lacked patience and understanding about his inappropriate reactions. This weekend was an experiment in our minds to see if his behavior from last week would be repeated.
The fact that it was confirms without a doubt that Gerry is not ready to be in his home environment until he receives the treatment he needs. Also, Gerry has been talking about hearing voices, and we ask for your prayer as we don't know if this is from his brain injury, or a psychotic result from his new medication. We pray for answers and the right treatment, and for Gerry's peace as he struggles through this difficulty.

God is working through these difficulties...a higher-up supervisor at the insurance company verbalized to Lori that they have not handled Gerry's claim properly, and have given verbal assurance to see what they could do to convert the 'skilled nursing home benefit' to pay for therapy for Gerry. Lori has gotten verbal assurances before that have not gone through. Bakersfield is submitting their evaluation to Aetna, and said that Aetna seems to be trying to work with them. Bakersfield also noticed that Lori and Gerry's insurance possibly allows for 60 days of treatment per calendar year, which means if Aetna approves Gerry to go to Bakersfield asap, Gerry can benefit from close to 60 days of treatment before the end of the year, and hopefully get another 60 days of treatment in 2005. Again, we see God working greatly as the insurance previously would not even consider Bakersfield, and your prayers for this miracle are much needed and so appreciated.

Lori stated tonight that she believes it was necessary to go through the many difficulties to get to this point where the insurance realizes this treatment in Bakersfield is necessary for Gerry. We know God has used all the circumstances for His purpose and pray for His continuing provision. We ask you to pray along with us for the door to open for this treatment as soon as possible (hopefully this week), as the outcome would dramatically change for the better the future for this family.

Thank you to all for your prayers, to those who have graciously committed to visiting Gerry in Escondido, to all of you for your endless support and encouragement.

God Bless you all!

Gina