So. Today is the day everyone "found out".
My first instinct? Was to virtually run like hell, close this site down and never look back. I just do not want to DEAL with this, and I certainly don't want to put it on Chris' shoulders to deal with. So I will record a statement here, everyone who wants to form a guestbook lynch mob may do so, and ultimately everyone leaves having gotten to speak their mind.
Yes, Chris has a record. One incident from his 20s, many years ago. He met someone online who lied about their age. He corresponded online with this person, then met them in person one time, found out about their real age, and never saw or spoke to them again. And he is still paying for it. A lot. I am not excusing his stupidity. Even in the mid 90s people knew you couldn't just accept that so-and-so was Johnny Doe, age 18, simply because he said so. The main reason I am posting something here is because someone referenced Chris' donations as "a scam". I am stating categorically that nothing could be further from the truth.
The only "falsehood" was my use of his middle name instead of last. I did so to protect his privacy (which worked wonders) and it is the ONLY thing that could be considered dishonest or lacking candidness. Regarding donations. The ENTIRE amount donated was paid to Alori Property Management, Reliant Rehabilitation Center, Walgreens Pharmacy, and Medsavers pharmacy. Some of it was used to buy him food and a brace for his shoulder. We have records and receipts of everything. I guess I naively thought if anyone ever DID find out...they would pretty much take the same attitude that the excellent ICU staff took: Chris' long-past transgressions are NOT a reason to deny him proper care, love, or necessities. I mean I KNEW people would be mad...I guess I just hoped they'd get past it. Like I said..(..naive) (I can't figure out what that was supposed to say...sorry). I am not sure what to do for anyone who disbelieves that Chris actually HAD a stroke. Given his videos and all of the hospital photos, I would hope nobody DOES think that. But for the record, his treating neuro at Seton Medical Center was Dr. Liang. His managing general physician was Dr. Eliot Trestor of Central Family Practice in Austin, Texas. After leaving Seton, he went to Reliant Rehabilitation Center, and now that he is home he sees a MAP doctor, his attending physican is Dr. Yao of the Paul Bass Clinic and his outpatient rehabilitation is done at Seton Outpatient Medical Services. In between seeing the rehab-based doctors and being assigned to the MAP physician, he was treated by Dr. Andrea Raymond of University of Texas Brain & Spine Center.
Also for the record, we recieved only two donations after the "rush" of donations came in and the May expenses were paid. Both from the same person in Kansas. Oh and we recieved a beautiful 8x10 photograph by "XXX (name protected for privacy)". I know the people who are angriest will stay angry. I am sure most everyone will say I should have disclosed Chris' record before accepting any donations. But we all know the reality is that nobody would have helped him if I had done that. I did not ever ASK for help from anyone except MckMama- and I had only asked her to post a prayer request on Twitter. Maybe when the person from MWOP asked me to post the web site address there instead, I shouldn't have- knowing something like this was inevitable. But as anyone who watched Chris' video and heard my input about seeing him on life support, not knowing if he would make it, and seeing him struggle SO mightily when he did...I was not going to turn down help for him.
The money that was donated helped get him back in therapy quickly and even though his progress has stalled NOW, at that time he advanced well in numerous occupational tasks which helped him in so many ways- both practical and emotional. I will close by saying this: I will post here (in the gallery) records and receipts so that everyone can personally verify where the donations went. I know most places will not release medical info but I am reasonably sure many will provide financial data if we sign a release stating they can. (Which we will)
I understand if people are angry with me, but I beg and beseech everyone not to take anything out on him. While the average person may not have transgressions in their past of the same magnitude of Chris', everyone DOES have times in their lives when they desperately wished they'd have done things differently. Chris is no different in regard to his past mistake, and I am no different in any errors I made handling that information.
Lastly, I know Chris' type of offense brings about major emotions no matter how long reformed the person is. That said, I understand if anyone wants their donation back. Obviously I would not ask Chris to repay anything as his social security will only cover basics, but I myself will reimburse anyone wishing to have me do so. In the next few days I will be sending an email to everyone who donated via PayPal as well as the few people who sent things through the mail. If you want your donation back, all you have to do is say so. I can't guarantee I won't close this site again if people are just TOO horrendous.
I may have made mistakes but I WAS only trying to help someone I love and want the best for. Even though I know people are upset, to a certain extent I can only be "so" apologetic because I know I wouldn't refuse help for him given a second chance. I can't promise it won't take a couple months but I can promise not to refuse ANYONE who wants to be reimbursed for their donation, no questions asked. If you ave not recieved an email from me by this weekend and you donated to Chris' expenses, please leave a comment here. (site no longer up to leave a comment)
I won't sign off with any "let he who is without sin..." chatter. People are pissed and I know it. I expected it; that's why I never said anything in the first place and actively tried to keep Chris' last name private. But I am human- so is he, and so are you. If you want your donation returned it's one thing...but beyond that I ask that people not waste a great deal of time or effort flaggelating me for trying to help one of the most important people in my life and my family's lives. I'm not sorry for not disclosing all of Chris' "dirt"...but I truly AM sorry for the people who are upset and hurt because of it.
Things that make you go hmmmm. We will add our comments later as there are many things we have found to be untrue in this post. At this time, we'd ask that we keep this blog about Liz and what she has done. While we don't condone Chris's actions in any way, shape or form; this site is about Liz.
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