Our road to LA is paved with uncertainty, pot holes and speed bumps! I need more Tums

Time is ticking away. Pressure is mounting. Blake and I leave for LA next Monday the 21st and I still don't have his ID or "leave" pass! After weeks of messages, I finally spoke to Blake's social worker, Ms. Jenkins, and doctor from the nursing home. Things were finally looking up.  That is until this morning...

I paced in the kitchen as I waited for Ms. Jenkin's call.  She was meeting with his doctor and the nursing home adminsitrators this morning to discuss whether or not they would grant Blake his "pass" to leave their facility. Certain requirements must be met in order to ensure that Blake will be safe outside of their facility. I of course will do anything. 

Finally, the phone rang.  It was Ms. Jenkins.  I had my pen and paper ready to take clear notes. I HAVE to make sure his release gets approved. As l listened to Ms. Jenkins speak, tears began to well up in my eyes. Blake is not their "property" after all. Beth Abraham does not have the authority to OK his release. What?  I've been barking up the wrong tree this whole time. How could Beth Abe not know? How could Blake not know? Blake has been bounced around so much that he doesn't even know where he belongs or who he belongs to. This is insane. I'm dying inside.  

It turns out that Blake actually "belongs" to Harlem Dowling Foster Care. Could this really be happening? I need to start over. Are you kidding?  As Ms. Jenkins continued to speak, I found myself angry, sad and broken. Angry they guided me in the wrong direction and we wasted so much time. Sad because Blake has no idea where he "belongs", and broken because I can't change the reality of this mess.  I'm confused, but I have to pull myself together.  

I took a deep breath and dialed Ms. Karen Dixon at Harlem Dowling Foster Care.  A gentlemen answered and immediately told me that she was in a meeting and asked me to leave a message.  "NO", I replied. "I'll hold. I have to speak with her. This is urgent."  Moments later the tides turned. The gentleman got back on the phone and said "hold on, she is expecting your call and wants to speak with you."  Wow!  Really? Thank God. Ok, breathe.

Karen came on the line a few moments later. As soon as she began speaking my heart began to lighten. Karen is an angel. She is committed to helping Blake, but it's not going to be easy.  "Permission" is now in the hands of the NY Dept. of Child Services. That just sounds scary. Tears were streaming down my face as she spoke, but her words were hopeful.  Yes we have big hurdles, but with her help this will get done.  I feel it.  I need to stay positive.

In addition to obtaining approval, we still need a birth certificate! Karen and her boss are off to NYC Vital Records today to track it down. Unfortunately, Karen is concerned it won't be there as she just discovered Blake was born in Nassau County, which would mean a trip to Hempstead Dept. of Vital Records tomorrow!!

Thank you Karen Dixon and everyone at the Harlem Dowling Foster Program for your help and devotion.   

Thank you Penny Marshall, Wendy, and Alaina Stamos, Dr. Jacqueline Dupont, my comrads in LA, for lining up his west coast care!!!  And Bill for helping with Delta and everything else!  This effort takes a team and would not get done without you!!!  

Stay tuned, and pray!!  We need it.