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Oct 4Liked by The Small Bow

On reading this, I can only think “been there, done that!”

My son, Patrick, was a lot like her son right down to the homelessness and the imaginary bugs burrowed in his skin. We sought help from local authorities and doctors to no avail. The letter below is just one of the many that I wrote desperately seeking help that was not forthcoming. In the case of that incident, the counselor as well as the nursing staff thought that Patrick needed long term psychiatric care but the doctor overrode their concerns. Parents often know best but are ignored by the powers that be, listen to them!

R.I.P. - Patrick, know that we tried!

Doctor Oduwole, June 3, 2021

You just had my son, Patrick, discharged from Sea Coast Hospital. Your recommendation was for rehab, specifically BCRC.

My son has mental illness co-morbid with substance abuse. He had a psychotic break a couple of days ago and is desperately in need of observation and evaluation.

You, of all people, should know that as he was discharged from Bryan hospital 2 years ago and court ordered to see you or another psychiatrist upon leaving. He saw you, to my great regret!

Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of substance abuse co-morbid with mental health issues knows that the likelihood of succeeding at staying clean and sober is virtually nil if mental health isn’t dealt with first or simultaneously.

What you have done, despite his parents’ and other hospital personnel concerns, is condemn him to walk the streets until he is arrested or has another psychotic break, thanks for nothing!

I hope you are happy with yourself, the hospital put him in a cab to New Directions. On the way, he had the cab drop him at his mother’s workplace where he banged on the door until his mother came out. He immediately began the harassment and, a little later, he entered our home uninvited.

You spent all of 5 minutes with Patrick (I’m being generous, Patrick said it was only 2 minutes) and we have spent years with him. You discounted our concerns as well as those observing him at the hospital. You don’t seem to care about anything but the payments you receive.

I know about that from personal experience as well. I was referred to you years ago and you refused to see me because I was on disability. Amazingly, after I turned 65, your office called me to come in. I guess Medicare is a guaranteed payment.

If I had to describe you, charlatan is a bit harsh since in the past you were a good doctor who actually helped a lot of people but I would say you've become greedy and uncaring.

Andy Devlin

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