Up date on my brother

To all a up date me and mom went to see a solicitor today they didn't seem that interested we had our free 30 minute but I just feel they where more interested about the money but I left a book for them to read about my bro you never know they might feel a bit sorry who knows lol. thank you so much for all the support. there has to be some gap out there for my bro I have also had a call of the ombudsman so you never know I have also had a email of the local mp so you never know what might get done all I can do is keep trying there has to be a break through somewhere out there I keep you all updated

many thanks to everyone bless you all

[Ruasmammy]

Hi Duke, I am just reading this now. A couple of suggestions. First, if you can find a solicitor who knows about and specialises in learning disabilities that is very important. Second, if your brother is on benefits, then he should be entitled to legal aid and if the legal assistance is to help him get his rights, then the solicitor is fhis solicitor so should be legally aided. I found the solicitor for my brother by asking the health authority which legal firms represented people with learning disabilities who lodged complaints but perhaps others on this forum might have suggestions. I am in Northern Ireland so I doubt my brother’s solicitor here is of any use to you. One other tip in handling solicitors is that you have to keep onto them, they are not usually self-starters!! Regular prods (polite) are required in my experience. I hope this helps. Marie

[Hidden in reply to Ruasmammy]

Many thanks for your reply I have just emailed to the court of protection in Birmingham my brothers case not keeping my fingers crossed I have also got a legal team who are going to phone me on Wednesday to give me some advice I have also emailed the mp in my area I have put complaints to social services and I have put in a complaint to the ombudsman I keep trying may be I will get some help someone somewhere has got to help I am just praying it wont be to late sorry to be so blunt but this is the way I feel my mom phoned my bro last night he told mom he had got 50 cans of larger in his flat and he was drunk not good for his mental welfare why the authorities are letting this happen it is beyond me I am going to visit my brother today day and if he is in a mess again I will be calling adult social care and reporting the situation again with my brother.

[Hidden]

I have tryed they are saying data protection I have no rights to speek on behalf of my has they are saying he can make his own mind up my mom phoned him last night he sed to my mom he had got 50 cans of larger in his flat and he was drunk again I am going to see my bro today if he is in a mess again I will be calling adult social care again why nobody can to this is not right I dont now Many thanks for you reply

[HolisticMum in reply to Hidden]

Who has the authority to let him keep drinking. Such a shame as they are not helping his health situation. I can't understand how doctors don't help either. It really is a nationwide thing not getting help and the few that do, amazes me.

[Hidden in reply to HolisticMum]

It is so heartbreaking to see him in this situation I have tried absolutely everything and no one wants to help my brother because he has no understanding that the alcohol is bad for him the doctor ask him yesterday do you want to stop drinking he sed to the doctor it is my choice I can drink if I want to she could see he had no understanding and still did nothing to help him I need my brother under section for his own safety I told the doctor she has the right to do this but she refused not good at all Many thanks for your post

[Michele1965]

It is an exhausting and uphill struggle being the voice for our loved ones with learning disabilities/autism etc. So many of us can identify with your frustration that all doors are closing on your requests for the support your loved one needs to keep safe. We are never far from the next struggle once we receive a modicum of support because the quantity of services is not available. Often the quality of the support offered is 'good enough' as determined by the service provider so our involvement in the caring role by necessity continues. I so hope these potential supports offer your brother the help he needs. The most exhausting role is that of carer. My experience of struggling for basic services is the cause of my anxiety and mental / emotional exhaustion. In the actual caring role for my son the tiredness is physical but always rewarding. This ongoing dismissive attitude to carers must change as it impacts so negatively on all of us. I wish you every blessing. Never lose hope.

[Sarah_Mencap]

Thanks for the update Hidden

I am sorry the visit to the solicitor didn't work out as you had hoped.

But it is great that your MP has responded, I hope they are able to offer you and your family support.

Mencap's helpline will also be able to help.

You and your mum are doing such a great job with this. Please do keep updating us.

best wishes

Sarah

[Bluey203]

Hi Duke, so sorry to read of your struggle to get proper full time support for your brother, it must be such a worry, but you are obviously doing everything you can Things really do need to change, the powers that be should take the views of relatives far more seriously, but often have a dismissive attitude, usually purely based on finance. But our special needs relatives deserve the same protection and support as children, they are just as vulnerable to neglect and abuse, with no voice to complain, it's shameful.Personally I am able to talk to the doctors on behalf of both my sons one severely autistic non verbal, the other aspergers with no learning disability but high anxiety and unwilling to talk on phone, the doctors said he just had to confirm his name and agree to me being the correspondent just by saying 'yes' when asked on the phone.

Also I am a member of 'the challenging behaviour foundation', they can give you contact with professionals/solicitors who specialise in autism and situations like yours, contact - [e-mail] or phone them on 01634 838739.

Best of luck, take care.