Let's rewind a few months. For those of you just popping in, John was found guilty of Murder. Everyone knew that if he got a guilty verdict, he was going to do the unthinkable. I, however, thought I had convinced him not to. So I wasn't worried on the day of the guilty verdict.
I just watched a clip from WKBN of John and his attorneys where the jury read the verdict. When they said "guilty," you can see John moving something around in his mouth and then swallowing it. Seeing it makes me sick to my stomach. I never in a million years thought this would be my life.
That night, I kept checking the bookings to see his mug shot, but it never posted. At 9 pm, I knew something was wrong. The next morning, I found out he was in the hospital, so I drove up and asked to see him. They obviously wouldn't let me back and brought a nurse from the ED to the front to talk to me. All he said was, "You shouldn't even know he is here."
A few hours later, the news came out with their BS article that said, "murder found unresponsive from an overdose." The rumors were flying, and NO ONE in his immediate family got a call about what was going on. We have to do better!
John spent 8 days in the hospital, 3 of them in the ICU on a ventilator, hoping and praying to die. His body was swollen, and his organs were shutting down. I still have NO clue how he survived, other than the grace of God.
Fast forward to today. John never received follow-up care, never got physical therapy, and is still fighting with the medical department in the prison for his medication. Despite his heart attack at 33, back surgery at 38, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic CHF, John is still not receiving proper medical care.
Why are prisoners treated so poorly, so inhumanely? John is a very meek and mild kind of guy. He doesn't bother anyone and is respectful to most people. So why he continues to suffer is beyond me.
Do you know how many times I've called the prison to talk to medical to determine why he wasn't getting his medication or proper care? Too many to count. John begged me to call Columbus and I hesitated, thinking/knowing it would cause more harm to him than good. After weeks of not getting any answers, I called Columbus.
I left two messages with them and sent an online request. John started to see the medical staff more frequently, but guess what? The COs started to retaliate. During visits, John got scolded for giving me a peck on the lips. He was livid about it for weeks. I don't blame the guy, but the rules are the rules.
During our next visit, we saw another couple kissing. Do you know what was said to them? Nothing! Absolutely NOTHING. I laughed it off. John still wasn't receiving his medication, and for a heart patient not to get his heart meds is crucial. It will be months before he drops dead. Instead of calling the prison, I went straight back to Columbus to file a complaint.
Our next visit, we went outside to sit since it was beautiful out. There were three other couples outside that day. I noticed the couple to my left was sitting next to each other instead of across. I waited about 15 minutes to see if a CO came out to yell, but no one did. The sun was shining bright that day and directly in my face. I decided to move and sit next to John. Not even two minutes later, the same CO who scolded John two weeks prior came out, looked at me, and said, "you need to sit across from him," then turned around and walked away.
I'm sorry, is this really a thing? I looked at the other two couples who were sitting the exact same way I was and lost my mind. The one couple even said "dude wtf this guy is such a -----". No joke, I couldn't control my mouth. I could tell John was embarrassed by my yelling but I was so incredibly angry at the blatant targeting from this CO. Eh, I am still upset talking about it.
I am always polite, respectful, kind, and courteous during visitation, and most of the CO's are respectful. This CO has a hard-on for me, and I don't know why. I can't help but think it has something to do with reporting medical issues to Columbus, but I don't know why it would affect him?
For the first time in six months, I knew how and why John hated it there. The inhumane treatment and power trips of COs are appalling. I'm dumb and naive; I for sure thought this stuff only happened in movies. Nope, this is real life.
Do you ever think about your life and what your purpose is? I've always known mine was helping others. I don't know in what capacity, but I always got fulfillment from being kind and doing for the less fortunate. I can't help but wonder if my calling is greater than what I am doing now.
I am 41 years old and have more dreams/goals than I had in my 20s. It's wild how life works. Whatever my destiny is, I hope it involves changing the lives of others and being an asset in people's lives. There is no greater reward than being a mom, but making a difference in the world would be a close second.
What are some of your dreams/goals? Where are you now in life? Is this where you thought you would be? A co-worker once told me "You're an asset, not a liability. Know your worth and great things will come". I live by that moto "be an asset not a liability".
HEBREWS 6:10. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”.
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