MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Juan P-B
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 07:54 AM

Might it help if you pointed out that.... If your husband is there with you, working and supporting you financially AND paying US taxes instead of the US Government paying for your daughter's care in an (God help me for using this term) institution then he would actually be SAVING the US Gov money!!! - Heaven knows what 3rd world country they could invade with the money they'd save

Juan P-B

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 10:54 AM

I have been working on this for 11 months now..I think I have corrected most of the problems..thank you...

We have tried to point that out..that it would be saving the government money but so far they haven't responded to anything we have said..*sigh*

I have sent 20 e-mails and a few more letters today..to newspapers,more tv channels, a few columnist,...again thank you everyone for everything you are doing for us..today is Jessica's 15 birthday...*S* it is a bitter sweet day for her..she is happy it is her birthday but so very sad her dad isn't here to be with her...

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 11:34 AM

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

We've just been out today with my wife's father, Charlie, and he's 93 today. So he sends birthday wishes to. (We went to see a film called "Five Children and It", all about wishes being granted. Including birthday wishes.)

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 12:54 PM

Jessica says thank you..and happy birthday to charlie...cool movie..but i not telling what i wished for cause then it won't come true...*serious look*....

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Peace
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 02:27 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESSICA.

We love you, sweetheart, and your daddy loves you and misses you very much.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 02:50 PM

Happy Birthday Jessica!

~Susan

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Juan P-B
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 03:43 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA

I'm not a prayin' man myself but I have a 'tame' nun who is sending one up for you and your Dad & Mum.

Bless you all
Juan P-B

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 03:54 PM

Sagecw, my heart goes out to you, Jess and your husband. I told my (English) husband about your situation, and he suggested you write to the Queen of England. He says that as the Queen is - officially - the Australian Head of State, she has the authority to over-rule them on a matter like this. Perhaps it's a long shot, but it can't hurt to try... Even if she can't over-rule them, if she decides to try to help in some way - or even just mention it - it's bound to generate LOADS of publicity - which can only help your cause, I think.

I asked my husband whether he thought it would be better for you to write, or for people to write on your behalf - he thinks it would be better if you wrote yourself. I expect the best thing would be for you AND others to write to the Queen. I suggest that you let us know when you have written her, so that we can allow time for your letter to reach her before ours do.

Here is her address:
Her Majesty the Queen
Buckingham Palace
London
U.K.

(According to my husband, that's all the address you need!)

Good luck to all of you... and Many Happy Returns (literally) to Jessica!

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 06:52 PM

Sorry about all of us who keep telling you to reinvent the wheel. Our minds boggle and we jump in with both feet AT THE BEGINNING, when you're already halfway down the road, but we're workin' on it.

Many more Happy (and happier) Birthdays, Jessica. When you think you've come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and HANG ON. Lots of us out here looking for a way. A Path will be found. Tw

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 07:42 PM

Yo, Jess, Happy Birthday from Wyoming! I'm doing what I can to help you get your dad back.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: CarolC
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 08:05 PM

Link to Jessica's birthday thread

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: GUEST,US
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 12:06 AM

Cindy please explain why you left the US, the circumstances and what happened to your US citizenship? Uncle Sam

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 12:20 AM

I don't know if it will help at all, but I have a personal contact at the Maury Povitch show, or at least last time I heard from an "adopted" daughter (one of my girls' best friends in school) she was still working as an assoc. producer. I will see if I can reach her and ask her to take a look at this.

I used to be an op/ed writer. Wrote about a few other "horror" stories similar to yours, one even included an Australian father who was deported back to Oz from WY. The government seems to move very slowly on such matters, but many voices can have an effect. May we all raise our voices in support of Jessica and her parents.

In thanks giving for the perfect outworking of this situation for the highest good of all concerned,

kat

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 06:13 AM

Uncle Sam - Cindy's already explained that Russell had had to leave the States because he'd over stayed his visa, and the family were planning to live in Australia; then the Australian authorities decided that since Jessica was disabled they didn't want to have any future responsibility for her, and the fact that she had been born in the States gave them an opportunity to get rid of her. And now the US authorities won't allow Russell to immigrate because he broke the rules last time by overstaying his visa.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 08:06 AM

kat...thank you so much ..I know a few other people including myself that has contacted the Maury show...if your (adopted) daughter still works there wow that would be almost to good to hope for...we are hoping that with a lot of voices telling our situation will make government take notice..well it sure cann't hurt. could you please keep us informed if you are able to contact your (adopted) daughter. thanks again for everything...

McGrath...thanks...

everyone...jessica was sooooooooo excited seeing all the birthday wishes to her here on the internet...she thinks she is famous now *LOL* (like hillary duff her most favorite singer) cause all you know her and her name is on the internet..thats my girl..*S*

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: jacqui.c
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 09:08 AM

Kendall here. Write to resident Bush, he is always chirping about family values.

How about "60 Minutes"??

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 11:55 AM

Other Texas 'Catters -- I've got Lloyd Doggett's office infoed. Write your reps in D.C. and tell 'em to help Rep. Pitts in PA goose the system. Doggett and his office are usually pretty responsive, and attentive. I tried to make the point that this has zip to do with the election -- for Jessica's health, SPEED is important.   Tw

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: GUEST,US
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 02:16 PM

MGrath, I read the website and what I got from it was they left the US to live in Australia. Australia would not take them so they moved back. Then the husband's Visa expired.

I can't figure out why he had a visa if he was a citizen of the US and did not emigrate to Australia. Even if he did, he would still be a US citizen.

Uncle Sam

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 02:31 PM

Noone has even suggested that Russell is a US citizen. Of he had been obviously there wouldn't have been any problem in him overstaying on his visa? US citizens don't yet need visas to live in their own country.

He's an Australian with an American daughter, who isn't allowed to live in Australia because of her disabiity and the Australian authorities, and he can't come to join her in America because of the American authorities.

Comprendez?

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: fiddler
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 02:32 PM

Cindy,

I live and Work in Reading UK, praps a bit of accross the pond publicity and pressure might go along way.

Local parliamentarians her include some prominent members form all sides of the house.

Papers may see it as a good story - or may not then they can shame the US of A in to doing something about it.

Nothing may come of it but if we don't try then nothing will definitely come of it.

Andy

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: GUEST,US
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 03:14 PM

McGrath If he was here on a Visa, why did he let his Visa expire?

Uncle Sam

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 04:04 PM

The real question is, why should anyone think that kind of thing is any kind of reason to break up a family and damage a child with serious disabilities, by depriving her of her father, with consequences that can't be calculated?

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 04:09 PM

Cindy, I have just sent an email of to my friend/*daughter*. I will keep you posted on what I hear. She is an associate producer so I hope it catches her eye and she will be able to help in some way.

Good wishes are yours,

kat

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 04:44 PM

GUEST,US, visas expire sometimes for any number of reasons, and the person who holds the visa doesn't always have any power to prevent that from happening. It's the responsibility of the visa holder to leave the country before the visa expires (if they have not been able to get it renewed), but it's not always an easy thing to do. US immigration law is a very complicated thing, and there's just no way you're going to understand it here in this thread, so you might as well not even try.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 06:21 PM

Here's what Cindy wrote a few posts ago - I think it deserves to be read again. I tidied it up bit with the spelling and that, and I hope she won't mind that - I think it's a very eloquent and moving piece, and spaced out a bit it's easier to read. I think if you think what is involved in this, it's a document to make us feel humble:

We hired an attorney here to write an appeal, but even though we have a lawyer, he can only do the legal stuff. He has told me he can in no way try to put pressure on the government to do anything.

Since I have been back I have written endless letters and have made phone calls.

I have written to every senator and congressman that has either sponsored or co-sponsored any type of immigration bill in the last 2 years.

I have written to the President and to the Vice President
I have written to every presidential candidate,

I have written to Secretary of State Powell,

I have written to the Governer of Pennsylvania,

I have written to the Reading Eagle newspaper.
I have written to the Oprah Winfrey show, the Montel Williams show, the Maury show,
I have written to channel 10,15,69,15 (these are the stations we get here)

I have written to the Federation for American Immigration Reform
I have written to the Lutheran Immigration. & Refugee services,
I have written to the Immigration and Naturalization Service

I have written to the Citizenship and
Immigration Services Ombudsman Prakash I. Khatri

I have written to Attorney General Ashcroft,

I have written to Rev. Jesse Jackson,

I have written to the American Center for Law & Justice
I have written to the American Civil Liberties Union,

The only responses I have received beside "There is nothing we can do" were from Congressman Trent Franks, from Senator Arlen Spector and from Congressman Joe Potts.
But all they say is "All we can do is to see where in line the paperwork is
and how long it will be before a decision is made"

And they can't even give me a answer on that.

I talk to Brian at Congressman Frank's office and I talk to Nicholas at Congressman Potts' office, but they are little to no help...

Since we have been back I have letters from Doctors,
I have letters from Counsellors,
I have letters from Teachers,
I have letters from Social Workers,
They say that that Jess is in crisis,.
They say that that her mind cannot take nor understand what has happened,
They say that, if something isn't done she will crack
and she will have to be put in a institution
which will end up being permanent.
Thay say that this is a medical emergency and that Jess is in crisis.

*crying*

Sorry, I cannot let this happen.
In essence the government is trying to make me choose
between my husband who is the love of my life
and my daughter, who is my life.

This goes beyond the hardship that they say we have to prove.
This is inhumane.

This is why I decided to start posting on message boards.

By myself I have gotten nowhere.
The hope that there is strength in numbers...is our only hope..

Cindy

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 07:43 PM

Sounds like a damn good song. Anybody mailed John McCutcheon with this? His is a powerful voice...I'll go and do it...

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 08:54 PM

Sounds like a damn good song. Yes, that's what I thought too.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 09:58 AM

*Kendall*....Yes I have written both....

*TW*...Thar is exactly right JESSICA is the point....

*fiddler*...great idea go for it..nothing ventured nothing gained right?...*S*

*kat*...awesome..yes please keep me informed..

*mcGrath*...no problem..thanks for fixig up my post...*S*

*Sorcha*...sorry who is..*John McCutcheon*?

thank you all soooooooo much you have lifted our spirts and given us hope again...

cindy

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 07:32 AM

McGrath of Harlow ... received responce to the letter I sent..*sorry nothing I can do*...I should be use to that by now but *sigh* thanks for the suggestion though it was worth the try..

cindy

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 09:49 AM

You may be used to that by now, and obviously you are - but it must still feel like a slap in the face every time. And then you get back up. There's a lady like you in St Luke's Gospel:

"In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Peace
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 10:29 AM

Cindy,

You have some really good people in your corner. Keep that in mind, and this ain't something we'll let go.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 11:27 AM

McGrath of Harlow....wow...I'm not a real big bible reader..but that really hit me between the eyes...thank you sooooooo much..

brucie..there sure are, more then I ever expected...I am thankful everyday for you guy... each and everyone of you....

cindy

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Peace
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 12:28 PM

See if Jessica wants to say hello here. Love to hear from her.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 12:33 PM

John McCutcheon's pages

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 01:23 PM

Sorcha ..thanks for the link....did you say something about contacting him right??


brucie....will talk to jess when she gets home...*S*

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 01:32 PM

Yes, I've e mailed him. He writes great songs about stuff like this. Powerful voice in the music community for social activism.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 02:50 PM

Sorcha....great...never hurts to tell people....then they can deciede what if anything they want to do...jess loves music...that is her escape (so to say)...thanks

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 03:00 PM

Reading through Cindy's post about all she's done, it struck me that it's really in the form of a litany, if you change the order of the phrases a little - so here it is, laid out that way, as a kind of chant:

We hired an attorney here to write an appeal
                                          but he has told me
He can only do the legal stuff
                                          he has told me
He can in no way try to put pressure on the government to do anything,
                                          he has told me..

Since I have been back I have written endless letters
Since I have been back I have made phone calls.

to every senator and congressman that has sponsored any type of immigration bill in the last 2 years
                                        I have written
to the President and to the Vice President
                                        I have written
to every presidential candidate,
                                        I have written
to Secretary of State Powell,
                                        I have written
to the Governer of Pennsylvania,
                                        I have written
to the Reading Eagle newspaper
                                       I have written.
to the Oprah Winfrey show, the Montel Williams show, the Maury show,
                                       I have written
to channel 10,15,69,15
                                     I have written
to all the stations we get here
                                     I have written
to the Federation for American Immigration Reform
                                     I have written
to the Lutheran Immigration. & Refugee services,
                                    I have written
to the Immigration and Naturalization Service
                                  I have written
to the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Prakash I. Khatri
                                              I have written
to Attorney General Ashcroft,
                                     I have written
to Rev. Jesse Jackson,
                                    I have written
to the American Center for Law & Justice
                                  I have written
to the American Civil Liberties Union,
                                 I have written

"There is nothing we can do" ,
                                 that's what they tell me.
"There is nothing we can do" ,
                                  that's what they tell me.
And Congressman Trent Franks,
                                 that's what he told me,
And Senator Arlen Spector,
                                  that's what he told me,
And Congressman Joe Potts
                               that's what he told me.
"All we can do is to see where in line the paperwork is
and how long it will be before a decision is made" –
                               that's what they told me.

And they can't even give me an answer on that.

And at Congressman Frank's office
                                     I talk to Brian,
And at Congressman Potts' office
                                    I talk to Nicholas,
but they are little to no help –
                                     that's what they've shown me.

Since we have been back
                                     I have letters
from Doctors in white coats,
                                    I have letters
and from Counsellors in suits
                                    I have letters,
and from Teachers out of school,
                                    I have letters
and from Social Workers too
                                    I have letters.

They say that that Jess is in crisis,
                                    that's what they tell me
And her mind cannot take nor understand what has happened,
                                  that's what they tell me
And if something isn't done she will crack,
                                  that's what they tell me
and she will have to be put in a institution
which will end up being permanent,
                                  that's what they tell me
And this is a medical emergency and Jess is in crisis –
                                  they don't need to tell me.

*crying*

Sorry, I cannot let this happen.
In essence the government
                                  is trying to make me choose
between my husband who is the love of my life
                                  they're trying to make me choose
and my daughter, who is my life,
                                  they're trying to male me choose

And they say we have to prove that there is hardship,
And I say this goes beyond just hardship.
This is inhumane. This isn't human.

This is why I decided to start posting on message boards,
                            and I keep on writing

By myself I have gotten nowhere,
                               but I keep on writing
The hope that there is strength in numbers
                              ...is our only hope.
Keep on writing. Keep on writing.
                                  Help me keep on fighting.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: sagecw
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 03:30 PM

McGrath of Harlow.........I am totally and completely speachless...that is so awesome what you have done...it is beyond wonderful...

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Peace
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 03:37 PM

McG of H:

I just stood up to applaud you, fellow. You are one beautiful guy.

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Bassic
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 03:48 PM

Wow!

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Blowzabella
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 04:28 PM

McGrath - that is an astonishingly moving piece of work - and I know that the building bricks were all there - but you've put them together in such a way....

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 04:31 PM

It's a bit like shining a light on something that's already there, so people can see it.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: M.Ted
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 07:55 PM

Here are three important places that you should be in touch with:

For assistance with your immigration issues:

Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center

For support, advice, and assistance with your daughterÕs special needs problems: check the website,

Parent to Parent of PA but call their office at 1-800-986-4550 so that they can connect you with people right away--

More assistance, support, and explanation related to your immigration and related issues (including social services stuff)

Nationalities Service Center


Next, forget about the Oprah and all the other publicity/TV stuff for now, that is stuff is strictly entertainment, and for every hard luck story that gets covered, there are literally thousands that donÕt--you canÕt afford to invest time in long shot stuff when there is other, necessary work to be done--

Next, follow up with your congressman and Senators, make phone contact with the person from their office that responded to you, and keep them up to date on what is happening--donÕt expect too much, too fast, from them--but keep in mind that, when you have all your ducks in a row, a letter or other inquiry from them can make the difference--

Next, go back and read every letter that everyone sent to you--there may be some information or offers of help that you missed on the first reading--

Next, hunker down and get ready for the long haul, because these things often take a while to resolve--get your daughter into the programs that she needs and is entitled to for her special needs--and forget this kind of thinking:

ÒRussell's continued absence is likely to be so devastating to Jessica that she will be institutionalized where she would be cared for by strangers, and not her parents. The effect of this would be permanent, and it would certainly seal her fate.Ó

It isnÕt true, and it isnÕt going to happen unless you make it happen--I know the situation is difficult, and not the one that you want, but kids have a greater capacity to adjust to difficult situations than we give them credit for (they are actually a lot better at it than adults)--just hand in there yourself, and sheÕll be right there with you--

And, by the way, donÕt let the fact that nothing has happened yet discourage you--the wheels move very slowly, but eventually, they move, and in time, you will win---

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: M.Ted
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 08:19 PM

I meant "just hang in there"--

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 08:31 PM

Kevin, how wonderful art thy works....

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 09:07 AM

Kevin, how wonderfully works thy art!

sagecw, I just have to say how much I admire you for your incredible spirit and determination, for not giving up the fight for your daughter, and for your moving example of (as Hemingway would put it) grace under pressure. You are an inspiration.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: GUEST,laoise feerick
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 10:19 AM

This is my first exposure to Cindy and Jessica's problem and I haven't had the time to fully digest it but I must remind people that her problem is NOT THAT UNUSUAL. You'd think the U.S. would want nice, english speaking folks from Oz or England to come join their married families but due to the fact that the rules vary for potential immigrants according to what country they are from... it's never a simple case of "oh well, why did you overstay your Visa?" Often, people have applied for extensions, hearings are set but those hearings are scheduled for AFTER the expiration date and so on. Do you leave and not wait for the hearing, wait but be in technical violation, etc? I've had several friends with spouses from England, Ireland and Australia face this problem and it's never simple - even when no violations have taken place.

This Family's problem is NOT merely one of Immigration law it is one of Human Rights and I shall take a little time to try and gather some links for them to Mental Health Advocacy groups who might be better equipt to argue her child's case. Since the issue seems to be getting her hubbie HERE..perhaps the people who put her in this position in the first place, The Aussie Government, might have a vested interest in trying to help Russell Emmigrate. After all, if they didn't want his daughter, perhaps they'll help him join her in The States.

For whatever reason Russell overstayed his VISA...in the post-9/11 wolrd.. that is considered reason enough to make his family suffer, I am afraid. However, I think if the right people really hear this woman out, they will do what they can for her.

At the very least, I'd like to see this gal and her child get some much needed support from organizations designed to advocate for children such as her daughter. They are so isolated right now.

I'll be back with some links , hopefully later in the day.

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 12:38 PM

I hope we get all these things sorted out after the Revolution !!

Subject: RE: MY DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 12:39 PM

And Ted would probably agree !!