FreeDerya started out as a focal point for our family and friends to get Derya out of Hospital in NYC. They had been holding her, against her will and with the intention to NOT treat her for her established diagnosis of 18 months of Autoimmune Encephalitis. Eventually they released Derya.
As horrible as what they did to Derya was, it is not an uncommon thing to hear about. Forced Hospitalization and Medical kidnapping is seemingly on the rise around the country. In a system that is run by money and cheap psychological medications it’s easy to see why medical professionals are leaning towards the cheap treatments that run up insurance bills and avoiding big expensive medical treatments such as what is needed to treat Autoimmune Encephalitis.
None of us can know the pain and suffering that really goes on within our loved ones, the ones afflicted with this debilitating disease. In our own way we suffer along with them. The direct care family member who puts aside their time, life and joy so that they can sacrifice for our loved ones. We do this for them, for our love and for ourselves. And for many of us, we would do it again if we had to.
While we struggle with our family issues, helping our loved one to get better, fight the insurance company, contact the doctors, ask assistance from our network of friends; we build a team that is the cornerstone of our faith while working to get our loved one back from the abyss of this disease.
Not all medical professionals have been helpful. Some, out of their own negligence and lack of keeping current get stuck in their own world of “I know best.” syndrome. This disease has no cure as the individual or hospital is set in their ways or unwilling to change because of the ramifications. Regardless, these bad actors continue to promulgate through the system, polluting and making the entire system dirty. A few bad apples do indeed spoil the barrel. However, in this we need to keep it clear. There are good people, solid healthcare professionals who are working to help us. They should be – THEY NEED TO BE CELEBRATED! Celebrated as heroes, champions of good and powerful proponents of care for all.