Disabled parents are parents too!

Please take the time to read my stories and check my site out

My name is Laurie Edberg.My contact information is

ledberg@...

www.disabledparents.mysite.ws

I am now 38 years old,when I created this page.I was a 35 year old
disabled mother with 3 ADHD, wonderful, children.
We live in the Comox Valley in BC, Canada.
I have a tracheotomy, which is a tube in my throat which helps me
breathe at night,
and ataxia which effects my balance.
My children and I have been harassed by the
Ministry for Children and Family Development for years.

My children were formally apprehended March 28 2000.
I was told by social services that they felt I was unfit to care for
my children.
I do not drink nor do I take drugs, I don't even smoke.
Since my first child was born, I have been dealing with the
Ministry for Children and Family Development.
I have had many rude interruptions and abrupt cruel actions
done to my family by MCFD over the years.
I have had a 48 page parental assessment done by a psychologist,
who is also a ex-social worker. The psychologist was frustrated
by the wrongly created situation created by the MCFD.
The assessment was argumentative and comparatively opposite
to the 2 short assessments done by a MCFD psychologist.
The assessments done by the MCFD psychologist were very untrue
and basically said I was very unfit. I have had 3 lawyers that
have agreed that this was a case of harassment and discrimination.
The MCFD will never admit to that and will always justify themselves.
I have seen and talked with other disabled parents, who are and
have been treated just as badly by MCFD. I am not only trying to help
myself, but other disabled parents.

I have been fighting this fight since April of 2000,in the courts.
Last time I was in court, during November 26 to 28 of 2001,
the judge seemed sympathetic to my case. My custody case is
probably going to hopefully finish up on February 26,27 of 2002.
I went to court on those fore mentioned dates. I regained custody of
my twins,
under a 6 month supervision order. Unfortunately I did not regain
custody of my
oldest son. But the judge did say I could appeal next year. Even
though I
regained custody February 27, 02 the boys weren't returned home, by
MCFD,
till March 18, 02.
My mother died March 17,02. I had to move us to a better location,
closer to a new school, on April 5,02. I received NO help, from MCFD
till
April 12,02. Even though it was ordered that assistances started
upon the twins return home, by the judge and MCFD February 27,02. The
courts
decided to put my children's father and grandfather on the stand so
they
could have a chance to speak. This did further help my case against
the MCFD.
We as disabled parents need to be heard and respected by government
and society.
SO PLEASE SPEAK UP!

Well it happened again. The boys got apprehended again last night,
June 1,2002.
After the social worker and police officer did a search on a loving,
clean, safe, secure home and even though I and a friend looked for
them,
after which I phoned 911, 40-45 minutes later. 911 told me they were
found
them a couple blocks from my house. They got out a chain locked door,
which isn't that obvious to see, around 8:30 pm, I and a friend
started
searching not long after and I had call for other friends for help,
and I also phoned 911 when I returned after searching, around 9:10-
9:15 pm.
Well back to court I go on June 18,2002. I went to a meeting, June 5,
2002,
at MCFD in hopes of getting the boys back. Only to realize it was a
waste
of tax payer's money, all involved person's time and a emotional
abusive game.
I will be and have put in a alarm system and safety devices in my
home to
keep the boys safely in the home. I went to court and the hearing has
been
postponed till July 2,02.
To be heard, again, by the original judge! Well it wasn't the
original judge.
I went in thinking I had it made, only to be confronted by lies and
twisted truths presented by affidavits by the social worker and
family
service worker. Now I go back to court, again July 26,02 to set a
date for
a case conference. The case conference has been set for August 9,02
at 3
pm. Now I and the children's father and grandfathers go back to a
pretrial
on Sept 19 at 9 am. Well, I was suppose to go to court Oct 29 & 30.
But a compromise on a nanny was agreed upon.That is what was suppose
to happen. But, we are approaching christmas and things are still up
in the air.I go back to court Feb 3 or 4,03 to finalize things. My
lawyer is waiting for confirmation about my disability,my
trust,custody and the nanny.I go back to court June 25,03 for yet
another pretrial, to regain custody of my twins. I have a partner in
my life,who is willing and able to assist me with my boys.But forsome
unknown reason,MCFD has a problem with him.We plan on getting a house
together for us and his 3 children and right now,my twins. I went to
my,first, pretrial on May 22,03.What came out of that was a turn
around.It looked like MCFD was going to back off and return the boys
after Dave and I moved in to our house.2 weeks after the pretrial,
the social worker arrived at my door.Informing us that their not
backing off and their still taking me to court.So now I and Dave go
to another pretrial June 25,03. There was a trial for July 16 and
30,but now it has been reset for Dec 1-5.The MCFD is forcing me to
pay for a nanny.Even though MCFD communicates and collects
information from her. They completely refuse to put any funding into
the nanny. I am able to recieve a in home subsidy.This funding is
from a daycare subsidy,not from MCFD.MCFD figures that because I have
a trust fund available to me,I should and can afford a nanny.I have a
real problem with this. First of all, it interfers with my family
life. Next, I can not keep affording a nanny.THE SUBSIDY ONLY COVERS
A PERCENTAGE OF MY COSTS.Also,this situation creates confusion for
the children. Lastly,this is against my human rights.I and Dave went
to mediation on the 13th of Nov. Just before the mediation,I went to
a pretrial on the 10th of Nov and another on on the 20th of Nov.At
mediation I,DAVE,MY LAWYER,MY TRUSTEE,THE SOCIAL WORKER,THEIR LAWYER
AND THE MEDIATOR all agree to a plan to have the twins returned
home,over the next year.Well when I went to the pretrial on the 2oth
of Nov.MCFD refused this agreement.Now I wait to get a court date for
a 5 day trial.I and David,along with my childrens father and
grandfather also the social workers from 2 years ago. Attended part
one of a possible 2 part court case,on March 26,2004.I go back to
court Oct 25,26 of 2004 to regain costody of twins.Unfortunately,Dave
moved out and left June 17,2004. This as delayed things abit. If I do
not regain custody on the fore mentioned dates.Then my lawyer and
trustee will be appealing this issue in supreme court with a more
sympathetic judge. IF YOU ARE A ADVOCATE FOR DISABLED PARENTS, I
COULD CERTAINLY USE
YOUR ASSISTANCE. YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL BE A ADDED BENEFIT TO THE
ASSISTANCE
I ALREADY HAVE. Thank you. THIS DELAY IS NOT JUSTICE TO MY CHILDREN.
Thank you for your time, Laurie