I'm posting an email sent this morning to the Agency of Human Services Director, Peter Canales, who last year investigated my complaints on issues surrounding my son, Justin.
I sent a copy to Governor Douglas, and I also sent a copy to a woman who heads up an Autism office at the Dept. of Aging and independent living.
I have sent a number of emails to the Governor's office asking for an investigation into my complaints. I have not received an answer to date.
I've been told by various people and agencies involved how "lucky" my son is to have a mom like me - I've also been told how "lucky" he is to be sitting in a prison that has a "special needs unit"
Take an eggbeater to my brain and my response to these well wishers remains the same... what exactly do they find "lucky" about his situation?
Here's to nothing; my last communication with the office of the Governor, the Agency of Human Services and the office of DAIL:
..."I wanted to send you the latest update on my son, Justin James. You had met with him in an investigation last year and later told me he "appeared normal" to you. I'm hoping that in future investigations, when a person makes a claim of disability, you'd at least involve a knowledgeable professional to assist.
I was told by the Howard Center recently that the official results of the "gold standard" of tests and assessment is that my son has full blown Autism; not Asperger's.
I have asked his PR attorney, again, to see about having him re-sentenced.
A seven year sentence for a first crime (and I'm still saying he just followed a couple of simple orders to stand and wait in one case, and to help a sick aunt by writing out her check for her in the second case, and had not one iota of criminal intent) is utterly ridiculous.
Two youth were reported in yesterday’s paper as facing one year for a similar crime. I assume they were neuro-typical and not autistic.
I know that everyone sees me as making excuses for my son, and no one sees how serious my claim truly is - that my son was set up and exploited by being given some directions to participate in two unlawful events, which led to his arrest; and because he has been misdiagnosed since he was four years old - we did not have a believable "defense" because I just had a list of behaviors and tendencies, and no useful label.
Much more difficult than having spent the last twenty five years alone, in trying my best to help my son, is the fact that no one - absolutely no one - will take his situation seriously. It should never be so difficult.
I still think a federal office ought to be found, who would come into this state and tell me that no conspiracy has been in place between places like HCRS and the DOC, and various other state offices, especially after reading about Vermont’s former eugenics movement, against my son, my family, and others like us.
You'll be happy to know this is likely my last contact with you. No more long emails banging my head against a brick wall. I think my next step is to get a full guardianship and then, since accountability seems, in Vermont, to have no bearing on intent, I ought to start making federal complaints as to how we've been treated."