Below are some of the cases that
we've had success with so it's worthwhile if we get help to as
many as we can.
______________________________________________________________
Dear Jean Lynn,
May the most precious lord Jesus Christ be blessing you richly
all the year through.
...
I wanted to send you Christmas well wishes, and when I seen
this beautiful angel
card I thought of you and how you are an "Angel of
Mercy" to us sick, old, infirmed
inmates. You help so many Jean, the Lord Jesus will always
richly bless you for all
your work of mercy. Tell Shirley Dicks that her creation of
"Jeff Dicks" is a
blessing to many. It truely is a world where many benefit from
helping eachother,
when there is need let there be empathy to fill that void in
these desperate times,
Amen.
God Bless you all, In deepest Christian love, respect, honored
prayers.
Your servant and Brother in Christ,
Tom H.
Fred Grisham
.
This man is 76 years of age and is getting no physical
or mental rehabilitation, nor is he receiving any care from a
geriatric specialist. He
is housed in general population with kids who are violent and
extortion is prevalent. He
is in fear of being victimized.
He is taking 40mg of Prozac each day due to depression
as well as other medications for his heart condition including
1000mg per day of Naproxen, 30mg per day of Lovastatin, 75 mg
Plavix, .075 mg Levoxyl and 90 mg Diltiazem.
Herman Martines Holland suffered from blinding cataracts. One had been removed
previous to Herman contacting me, but the Infirmary manager at
Tucker Max Unit told him they would not remove the second
because he could see out of the first! Herman wrote to me this
summer and I contacted the Head over all of the Medical
units....Well, Herman has written and thanked us because he
did receive the second cataract surgery! Isn't that great!
Merry Christmas Herman!
6-20-2004 From Coordinator Deann
Roberts
Travis Hill is an inmate within
the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Travis suffers from
Hyperextended knees and when he first wrote to me, almost two
years ago, he had no braces for his legs and could barely
walk. I wrote letters every three or four months and posted
two alerts. The ADC absolutely refused to provide Travis with
the special braces he needed. The most they would do is tell
him he had an appointment scheduled at an outside specialist.
After approximately a year he finally was taken to that
appointment. Then it took another 6 months to see the people
who measure and make the braces. He was being housed at the
Cummins Unit which is the oldest facility in the state of
Arkansas and had absolutely NO handicap showers or cells. He
told me that there were times that he would fall in the shower
and have to crawl to somewhere where he could find something
to pull himself up.
This absolutely enraged me. So,
finally I decided I wasn't going to stand for it any more. The
last letter I wrote on Travis' behalf, I told the Warden,
Doctor, and Medical Director that Travis' situation falls
under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and that he had
every legal right to sue because the ADC refused to obtain
proper braces for his disability and proper facilities which
not only caused Travis great pain and suffering physically but
also mentally due to the humiliation!
I got a letter from Travis a few days ago. Travis got his new
braces and shoes. He also wrote to me from his new facility in
Malvern, Arkansas! They transferred him to a facility which
has handicap cells, showers, etc. So, the moral of this story
is that if any of you have an inmate with a diagnosed physical
disability or mental illness, throw out the ADA legislation.
I've used it twice now and it seems to work. Here's hoping we
have more wonderful successes!!!!! Keep the faith gang!
Deann Coordinator of Arkansas
Shirley, I have a story to tell about a inmate that I wrote to
you months ago when I first found the JDMC web site. I was so
afraid of losing my friend due to him being incarcerated at
Belmont Correctional Institution in St. Clairsville, Ohio. The
only things I have heard about prisons were not good. Anyhow,
I remember you teaching me the ropes on how to get things
done, writing letters ,following the chain of command. So, I
printed up as many letters that I could to see if anyone would
help with my friend Timmy L.Kolat. He was having trouble with
his hip and his leg. The pain was really getting to him since
the winter months were setting in, so after I got all his
paper work back I sent out the second batch of letters. I
didn't get anything back from Belmont Correctional, but my
friend did write me to say that all of a sudden he got a
appointment to go to Columbus Medical Center.
This was 12-1-03.By the 12-09-03
he had his surgery it took 6-7 hours, but they did a good job
he told me himself. I got another letter on 12-31-03 stating
that the pain was unreal they gave him Tylenol. He is sooooo
grateful for the JDMC. He wants to thank Shirley for all her
help in teaching me how to help others that can't help them
self.
He also told me that he knew the
surgery went very well because his hip and leg are doing
things that they couldn't do before. He has to where a brace
for 90 days so he doesn't bend it, but things went really
well. He is very grateful ! As I AM ALSO ! He said that
Shirley is going to heaven for sure ! This is my success story
due to Shirley and her willing to fight for others. She is
truly a wonderful woman. Jeff your son would be proud.
Wendy-Ohio State Coordinator of the JDMC-------------------1/22/04
I HAD TO WRITE AND TELL YOU THAT
AT 9:30 THIS MORNING MY BABY ANTHONY LEAVELL WAS RELEASED ON A
MEDICAL FURLOUGH AND IS NOW AT ALIVE HOSPICE IN NASHVILLE, TN.
I AM ON CLOUD NINE THE DOCTORS THERE HAVE SAID THAT THERE
ISN'T REALLY ANYTHING MORE THAT THEY COULD DO.
BUT AS LONG AS HE IS OUT OF THAT
HELLHOLE, AND WE CAN BE WITH HIM WHENEVER WE WANT, THAT IS ALL
I CARE ABOUT. SO I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR
EVERYTHING YALL DID TO HELP. AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN
EVER DO FOR YALL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS AGAIN. I WILL
KEEP YALL POSTED.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THE
COMMISSIONER GOT THE PAPERS ON APRIL 26TH, HE SIGNED THEM ON
THE 12TH, AND THEY CALLED US YESTERDAY. I FEEL FOR THEM COME
JUDGMENT DAY!!
LISA
William Wyatt Shell
I have good news!!!!!!! Just
talked with Mike Megna, TDCJ Hospital Administrator. He spoke
with Wyatt's Dr. and they informed him what was taking place
with Wyatt. His biopsy report taken 1/10 showed that 3 out of
the 4 biopsy were cancer-free and the 4th showed basil cell
changes. At this time there is no reason for surgery, chemo,
or radiation. He will be seen monthly thru spring and then be
rechecked at 3 month intervals. At this point it is not known
if he will stay at CYMF during this time, I was told that is a
decision made by TDCJ. Reversal of the colostomy and illostomy
bags at this time has not been decided. But I will keep a
close eye on him and his care and check-ups to make sure it is
done.
I was also informed that Wyatt's case was a very bazzar case.
As there were so many conflicting medical reports. There were
non- cancerous lesions on top of the tumor and they were only
biosping the lesions and not the the tumor underneath. if that
makes any sense!!!!! But
anyway this was their explanation as to why things happened
like they did. Thanks for everyone's involvement in helping in
getting him medical care and for your support. Maybe now I
will have more time to work on helping others.
Blessings and Prayers to All,
Stephanie in Fla.
Eugene Matyonosky is our success!
He wrote me telling me that as soon as they started receiving
letters from us he miraculously was offered treatment for the
Hep. C.!!!! He states that his Thyroid is still out of whack,
but he's waiting to see what they do. I also got a letter from
Fred R. Maue, M.D. Chief of Clinical Services, Bureau of
Health Care Services who stated that Eugene's treatment began
before we requested it..........(go figure) Nov. 13,
2002....my letter went out to them on November 4! Guess they
don't know how a calendar works!! He assures me that his
Thyroid levels will be checked regularly, however, they could
find no correspondence from Eugene about his problems....daaaa!!!!
Anyway, if you would like to send Eugene a
congratulations card or letter, here's his address:
Eugene Matyonosky, CM-7683, Rd-10 Box-10, Greensburg, PA.
15601
Update On Mary Boike #1007176
She had the surgery.....and is recovering. Is in a bit of
pain, but doing good so far....she thanks us for helping
August 19, 2003 Update on Michael
Manton Got a letter from Michael today in the
mail....he is doing great.......and he is so glad there are
people like us around. He is no longer in confinement and is
back on dilantin...he is not at CFRC anymore but back at
Zephyrhills ......he got treatments for the cysts...
He said he hoped to hear from us soon, and said to thank
everyone, God bless you
all.....and his new address is Michael Manton # 124920-D11074
Zephyrhills Correctional Institute
Zephyrhills, Fl 33541
August 11 UPDATE on Paul House - They took him for a cat scan
so now we wait for the results...Paul is suffering from MS and
is at the hospital at this time....
Hi All, Just wanted to thank everyone for addressing
Christopher's urgent mental health needs so quickly. Your
faxes & Letters are STILL coming in and helping a great
deal! Chris has since seen a Dr. who has prescribed his mental
health meds, and also his ulcer meds. Chris is being treated
with LOTS of attention now that so many of you have protested.
I went to court today and the Judge has also heard of our
complaints and is concerned. So much so, that I now have an
appointed lawyer all to myself ... GREAT NEWS! NOW, I HAVE A
STRONGER VOICE TO HELP ME FIGHT! Again, THANK YOU for all your
support..... I am SO grateful!
Wanted to say Thank You for all your help Eddie was moved to
Powhatan Reception and Classification Center last night. He
seen the doctor this morning and was put back on all of his
medicines. I'm so thankful that there
are groups like yours to help inmates. Eddie said He would
like to became a member when he gets out, because he knows
just how bad inmates are treated.
Just wanted to say thank you and anyone else that wrote
letters on my brothers behalf. Karla was the one asking for
you all to write. His name is William Wyatt Shell in the Wynne
unit at Huntsville. He is having surgery the first week in
June to have the growth in his colon removed. They have also
been taking his blood to make sure he has not lost to much
blood. They have also returned his med. to him and changed a
few. So between my persistent phone calls and your letters he
is back on track now. We will see how things will go and if
they will keep his medical care up. So once again thank you so
very much for your help!!! I really appreciate it...I am sure
with
out your letters things would have not gotten done! I will
keep you up-dated. And if I can help you and your cause in
anyway please let me know.
Death Row Case....
James Dellinger had surgery on the tumor on his neck. It's
healed up good without any infection. He has received your
letter and asked me to write to you and thank you for your
efforts in helping him get medical attention. You made all the
difference and he sincerely appreciates your help. I pray for
your family often and I appreciate your efforts to help the
men here get medical attention. Just wanted to drop you a note
on James to let you know that thanks to your support he is
doing well and felling and sleeping much better, pain
free....thanks
Dear Shirley-I had thought to hold off on writing to you about
my daughter, Christene Kemmerlin, because I know how hard your
group worked getting letters out to the prison in Raleigh when
she was so in need of her gallbladder surgery. I am sure that
without your letters, she would still be waiting for the ok
from the board.
She is recuperating fairly well from the surgery. Her doctor
had hoped that after taking out her gall bladder, the GURD
(reflux disease) would be controllable with medications, and
he could avoid any further surgery.
He made what is called a UR order for the previcid for her. I
cannot thank you and your group enough for the help you have
already given to Christene. May God bless you in your
continuing efforts on behalf of those who
have no voice.
letter from Denise yesterday and it makes our work worthwhile
to know of successes. Here is what she said...
I pray for you and the Jeff Dicks
Medical Coalition often. I will continue to ask God to guide
you and your representatives. What you've done, I can't
possibly repay you. By the grace of God you've helped save my
life. I honestly believe that. I saw Dr Warren April 26, she
said she's filing request that I may receive all meds,
treatments the outside doctor recommended. She's sure they
will be approved. She said she wasn't sure about the MRI being
approved for my hip, but she's asking anyway. Most of all and
most important I will receive my chemo treatments, steroid
injections and a kidney biopsy. God Bless you, and thank you
all dearly....Denise Nippert
This is what we're about. Stopping
the medical abuses in the system and we are making a
difference, prisoner by prisoner.....so keep up the good work
and all your letters are needed.......Shirley
Shane. R. Hughes gave him surgery on July 2nd for his
shoulder. He had to have the ligaments and tends fixed. Well
they did all of that for free. Which was really nice of them.
Because it is something like a $15,000 surgery. So any way
they moved him out of the medical section today and back in
with the rest of the population. Well they put him in a room
with two other guys.
Got a letter today from Todd
Ayers...he said he is feeling great, they have put him
on restricted work and he is permanently assigned to work in
the dorm, and has access to his bed when he needs to lie
down.....said he is feeling much better....and the alignment
problem has gone away with the medication....he thanks us
all....