no flame from me, i look forward to the end of this life. i however am still
needed here and judy don't like for me to talk of my graduation. she says i
"better not die and leave her, i'm not done with you yet," and "your son
needs you."

-----Original Message-----
From: joanne [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2000 12:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ER of 4/6


I saw the entire show. A couple of things stuck out in my mind. First was
the issue of money ( as always). The foster mother would not adopt the girl
because she could not afford the medical expenses of caring for  her as her
own. Say's something about our medical/finical system when a person is
better off insurance wise by being taken away from the family ( and yes I
know this story had the birth mom deserting the girl). On the other hand the
foster mother was keeping the girl alive because this is what her life and
identity were all about ( and as long as some one else paid the bills). Many
of us with children who have multiple or severe disabilities can understand
her position and where she is coming from but just the same she was keeping
the girl alive to meet her own needs and not the girls needs. Lastly, and
I'm getting my asbestos suit out right now, having a disability shouldn't
guarantee you a never ending life especially when your life is based only on
meeting another's need to be needed. Life has a beginning and an end and
that is just the way things are.
Joanne