Billy lived at home with his mother for 22 years until the now 40 year old moved into a group home.  Billy has resided in a Bainbridge group home for many years.

Billy's mother felt very strongly that there was a need to tell Billy's story and relates more below.  She has also related that holding a client in a room against his will is not only against Georgia policy, but is kidnapping.

Part 1 of Billy's Story, Abuser No Billed is here

For perspective, from the overseer of the Service Center, the
Georgia Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases
As an applicant and a consumer of services, you have rights. Your rights include:

• Getting the care that you need;
• Being treated with respect and dignity
• Having your health and safety protected
• Choosing how, when, where and by whom your services will be delivered
• Taking part in planning your own treatment
• Knowing the benefits and risks of your treatment
• Having continuity in the services you receive
• Being free of restraints or seclusion, except as a last resort for safety
• Being free of physical, sexual or verbal abuse
• Being free of neglect or exploitation
• Being able to grieve/appeal decisions concerning your care
• Exercising your rights without fear of harm

Billy's Mother continues his story
Billy, my disabled son with Autism, had been cared for by the Georgia Pines Decatur Seminole Service Center but is no longer there, but his safety is still not assured.  The removal was under strict orders from his physician that he not return until "until all issues of abuse are addressed."

Several days later Billy seemed to be feeling better.  Billy's mother was asked to let him come back to the center.  Knowing that Corey Adams was gone and believing that these people were really sorry about what happened, she agreed to let him go with his home worker. 

Billy's mother made it a point to go to the center unannounced every other day to make sure that he was alright.  She was called about an appointment for Billy with the psychiatrist and the center director Carolyn Martin asked to talk with her. Martin asked her "Would you please have the doctor increase Billy’s medication because he is wearing us all out."

Billy's mother met with the doctor and asked him about increasing Billy's medication.  She was informed that asking that a client take medication for the staffs convenience is against the law.  The doctor did order that Billy take Attivan before going to the center.

Billy's mother was concerned because in checking on him regularly, Billy did not seem to be getting better so he was taken to his family doctor, Dr. Bennett observed that Billy was very agitated and upset and was concerned because Billy had lost 40 lbs over a short span of time even though all test had come back negative.

Dr. Bennett wrote an order for Billy to stay home away from the center for a week . After a week, Billy's mother and the care worker reported to the doctor that Billy seemed better so he ordered him to stay home for another week.  Finally, during that 2nd week Billy began to smile again and to gain weight. Doctor Bennett then ordered that Billy stay at home "until all issues of abuse are addressed".

Billy slowly got better and gained back nine pounds. He smiles a lot and has been no trouble at all.  Since February 4th,  there are no new bruises or marks and he seems quite well adjusted.  It appears to Billy's mother that his improvement is because he is now sure that he does not have to go back to the center.

The home care worker stated that even before the February incident, he had come home with bruises.  She stated that when she inquired about them at the center, she was told that Billy did it himself. 

Exactly one week before the incident, Billy was taken to the emergency room because of a busted lip. The Director said that she was told that he ran into a door. Asked who saw him and she said no one but because he was running so they assumed that is what happened.  Somehow, all of a sudden, there are three people that say they saw him run into the door.

Billy's Mother states
I believe that there are problems at Georgia Pines Decatur Seminole Service Center that need to be addressed.  I hope that with this story being told, changes will be made.

I also believe that when people are not required to be accountable, they are more likely to abuse and maybe even escalate the behavior.

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