Michael hanging out with his cousin Leon Armstrong-- going off to an adventure. I remember thinking, that his light was gone, and it would never come back. . . he's back! Yes, his voices are still there but he has learned to recognize them and works every moment to be comfortable with them. Oh he does not like them but at least, he can talk about it now. I'm so proud of his progress, and prouder yet, that he works every day to maintain his recovery.

Time flies, when life is good

Funny, how when everything is turning your world upside down, complaints are easy-- I haven't had anything to complain about because, Mike is doing Wonderful! He's been in a board and care for a little over a year now-- he loves it! The freedom to come and go and acclimate to society is a gift. ( we even had an entire day, last winter, at Knott's Berry Farm! My daughter, Davina, has rode with me to see him for quite some time now, it's been a great bonding experiance for all of us. I guess, what I really want to say is this: I didn't take this stuff lying down; I got involved with mental health, I am now, and have been for a few years, a commissioner for San Bernardino Behavioral Health-- That has given me more information about the "mental health system" and how not only to help my son, but be an advocate to all who crosses my path. I've beenable to help other families, help consumers, and better yet, learn so much in the process. I was able to take Mental Health First aid, and last summer, was given a grant from Kaiser Permanente with the assistance of Copper Mountain College Foundation to take a trip to Illinois and become an instructor for Mental Health First Aid-- I will teach my first classes in Spring, 2019 as a community Education Instructor. Now, I can be a part of the solution, and help others learn about mental disorders, give aid in a crisis, and most important-- end the stigma! That's what's it all about, folks-- if we end the stigma assiciated with mental illness, and educate others, more and more people will seek the help needed. Sorry for the lateness of my posts, but as you can tell I've been busy trying to change the world-- one person at a time. Don't give up hope for your loved one or yourself, recovery IS possible and I'm watching it evolve every day.

Moved EVEN farther away!

Well, they moved my son four hours away from me now...so the visits are now once a month. I hate this, I really do! I mean, don't they know that having regular visits with family helps their mental state? I think, they are doing this on purpose because we don't let CRAP happen!!! Someone sticks up for them, listens to them, takes care of their needs-- Four hours away, means a ten hour day-- four hours up, four hours back, and two hour visit-- Oh, did i mention it is near San Fernando Valley??? I'm trying everything I can to get them to move him back closer. The last place he was at was wonderful-- the staff actually cares for their residents!!! Now, he's in a facility with over 200 residents-- So sick of this...sick of how the mentally ill are being treated, sick of our system, of lying conservators, of case managers...and of the psychiatrist in charge too!!!

Just me...asking why?

While my son was home, going through his episodes, I didn't sleep, couldn't pray, worried all the time and was frustrated at him for not showering or changing clothes. He was doing so well for so long in a facility and then the med change-- now, he has memory issues and seems so frantic when he can't talk to me on the phone. I too hate that he's far away and I can't visit him more than once a week but on the otherhand, I know he's relitively safe--and for that I'm grateful. WE, as mothers feel as if WE have the powers or should have the powers to make our babies well--kiss those booboos away! Why can't this work like scrapes and bruises? Why can't we simply kiss them, hold then tight and make everything better? WE are doing the very best we can for our babies...we are there for them, love them, fight for them, and never give up on them. I have talked to some mothers that tell me I am a stronger person than they are--some parents walk away from their babies because it's just too painful to watch over and over--we do not walk away we walk into the flames, face the fire head on and strive to make our children's lives better no matter the sacrifice! They are our babies no matter how old they get. My biggest worry is when I die who will my son have then? Who will carry on after I'm gone, who will make those weekend visits and take that extra step to ensure he's well taken care of?

More information on Mike Baker's saga

More information on Mike Baker's saga: I called the facility Mike was in prior to Miller's Progressive Care. What I was told is this: The Conservator is the one who can sign a release for Medical records to be sent from one facility to the next. I then called Longina Shaw, she was very abrupt and stated that the HOSPITAL should be conatacting her for these things not letting me know. WTF? If they can't get his medical records then how can they give Mike the correct medical treatment? I decided to call the hospital back and give them Longina Shaw's number, letting them know she can get a release of his records-- not, the proof will be in the pooding I guess...let's see is SHE actually does her job for once. I have put in a calll to an ombudsman and left a message. I guess the bigger question is this: What about ALL those other clients who have no family to see that their needs are met? If, as I suspect, and his Conservator is embessling funds from the state in Mike's name...how many other clients is she stealing from? Does she get kick-backs from the agency when she refers them about burial funds? It was implied that Longina Shaw has about 100 clients-- that's a lot of money being filtered isn't it?

I don't know about anyone else...but I smell a conspiracy!

Michael went from doing very well to catatonic in less than one week! We visited him on Saturday and by Friday he was whisked away to a hospital. Mike usually calls me everyday at my lunchtime; Wednesday...no call,so when I got home I called him. He said he felt like he had the flu so I said get some rest,and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Thursday came and he did not call me,I just figured he was sick and let it go until the next day. Friday came and this time I called him. It took forever for him to actually answer the phone, and I heard a staff member say: "Mike, it's your mom." Then he spoke: "They changed my medication mom, it's making me feel weird; my voices are back very strong and my anxiety is bad." I told him I would visit him on Saturday--but Mike always calls me Friday night to let me know what I need to bring him--no call. Before making that two hour trip to Riverside I decided to call the facility, Millers Progressive Care. "Hello,this is Mike's Mom, I'm concerned, Mike hasn't called me and I was wondering how he's doing today?" The voice was cold and dry to say the least "We can not give you any information, you will need to call his conservator." "But it's Saturday, she won't be in!" Then the line went dead. My heart dropped, something was very wrong.I called Ricky, and he told me he still had the payphone number. I suggested he ask for one of Mike s friends, Tim.When Ricky spoke to Tim he was told Mike was taken to hospital--but where was anyone's guess. Rick ad I did some sleuthing and we found him at Riverside Community Hospital; in a catatonic state. Here's a little background some might find interesting: In November, I received a letter from his Conservator, Longina Shaw, San Bernadino. It stated that because Social Security only allows an on hand amount of $2,000.00 and she had nearly $6,000.00 on hand,she was putting that money in a burial trust--an irrevocable burial trust, at that...Mike is only 32, he's physically well, (or rather he WAS) and is not lacking a family to handle any needs of this caliber. As soon as Mike and I were making waves about the funds,suddenly Mike's medication was changed,he was moved from Miller's Progressive care and all his belongings are gone! I-pod,Television,cell phone, clothes, pictures and so on. Another odd chain of events was Dixie,the facility's administrator called me the same Friday to say she had to make a report on me. WTF? "Mike pierced his ears,did you know that? said Dixie "Yes, I noticed he had earrings in." I replied "Do you know where he got the needle?" "Not really,where?" Dixie kept asking more questions or rather accusations is more like it. "Well,he also had a pack of matches." "That was an oversight on my part,I'm guessing...when I got him his cigarettes the store clerk dumped a handful of matches and I really thought I got them all." I answered Next she asked about a mirror---"well,he asked his brother if he could have it and without thinking Rick gave it to him." He can't have any of those things, I'm forced to make a report, and on your next visit, it WILL be supervised.!" The entire conversation made me feel uneasy, but I know why he can't have those things...he is searched every visit-- Why weren't they simply confiscated? Here's the real clincher folks...Miller's has been asked by this new facility for Mike's Medical records; what drugs was he taking and what medication did they change...Miller's has refused. So now the hospital is forced to strat from scratch--once again it's find the magic mix. I don't know about anyone else...but I smell a conspiracy!

Conservitor agravation!!!

I recieved a letter a few weeks ago stating that my son's conservitor wants to take excess money on hand, almost $6,000.00 and put it in a irravocable burial trust! WTF??? I've been the one visiting him every week, paying for his, other than room and board stuff and that crazy lady has only put about 200.00 on his books for over two years! I really don't know what to do about this-- Mike wants a new conservitor and he would rather spend that money on HIS needs now! I wish I could be his conservitor or at the veryleast his payee. What drives me batty is these people THINK just because Mike (and other's like him) are locked up they are also stupid drooling idiots! Mike and I have been running around like crazy trying to cet a continuance on the upcoming court date (December 23rd!) I try and make his court dates but...the campus I work at will be getting ready to close for the winter break-- HOW can these people in control be so neglegent and unfeeling? How can they HOLD onto that much money for so long? If, as the letter states...there is only supposed to be $2,000.00 on hand how did this amount get SO out of hand??? How about the other clients who have no family that cares supporting them? Who watches out for them? I'm more than baffled-- I AM PISSED OFF!!! I want that lady investigated, audited, and ultimately FIRED for her incompitance!!! If anyone know what stpes I can make to see that this happens, please...send me a message. Thank you for listening... Crazy son's CRAZY mom