Lutherman2112
Footballguy
I have made a couple of references to my alcoholic brother. He can't keep away from the sauce, drinks to point of blacking out, and now he has turned violent. I learned Sunday that my niece was removed from the home. A teacher questioned her about bruises on her arm Friday morning, asked about the injury, and my niece reported her father (my brother) gave her the bruises. Upon further examination by the school nurse, more bruises were discovered. Niece was removed from the home.
The domestic abuse shelter was full, the child foster home didn't have the room, and the only place available with space was the Salvation Army homeless shelter. My niece has special needs. She was born with hydrocephalus, and as a result she has low (but functional IQ) and physical difficulties. While she is 18 (will be 19 next month), she has yet to graduate high school; school recommended another year of part time school. All of her course work is practical work like managing money, working, etc. I have since learned that one of her advisers took temporary custody over the weekend.
I was contacted by the school resource officer (policeman assigned to the school), and was asked flat out if we could take my niece into our house. It can't happen today, or tomorrow as the court would have to act, so I scheduled an appointment first thing tomorrow morning. We will have a family discussion tonight, including my son at college via Skype. The high school administrators know I am a teacher, and CPS know me and that I have worked for a non-profit child welfare organization. Furthermore, my niece named me as a family member with which she would feel safe.
My instinct is to take her in, without a second thought. However, I must think of my family. I was one of two brothers that signed the paperwork that forced him into a 28 day program. He has been through 2 other rehabs. My parents are enablers that only want to protect him (I have yet to speak to them about this situation). My mom's health is declining, and there is no way my niece would be permitted to stay with them. My other brother (the one that signed the order with me for 28 day rehab) and his wife work out of town from time to time, so that isn't a good fit. So right now it's me or some other institutional element.
I am worried about the violent turn my brother has taken, and I worry his drunk ### would stumble over and cause trouble. My daughter just started counseling for anxiety disorder (my daughter and the niece get along fine). So many things I just can't name it all.
Just looking for input or commiseration...totally heartbroken and don't know what to do.
The domestic abuse shelter was full, the child foster home didn't have the room, and the only place available with space was the Salvation Army homeless shelter. My niece has special needs. She was born with hydrocephalus, and as a result she has low (but functional IQ) and physical difficulties. While she is 18 (will be 19 next month), she has yet to graduate high school; school recommended another year of part time school. All of her course work is practical work like managing money, working, etc. I have since learned that one of her advisers took temporary custody over the weekend.
I was contacted by the school resource officer (policeman assigned to the school), and was asked flat out if we could take my niece into our house. It can't happen today, or tomorrow as the court would have to act, so I scheduled an appointment first thing tomorrow morning. We will have a family discussion tonight, including my son at college via Skype. The high school administrators know I am a teacher, and CPS know me and that I have worked for a non-profit child welfare organization. Furthermore, my niece named me as a family member with which she would feel safe.
My instinct is to take her in, without a second thought. However, I must think of my family. I was one of two brothers that signed the paperwork that forced him into a 28 day program. He has been through 2 other rehabs. My parents are enablers that only want to protect him (I have yet to speak to them about this situation). My mom's health is declining, and there is no way my niece would be permitted to stay with them. My other brother (the one that signed the order with me for 28 day rehab) and his wife work out of town from time to time, so that isn't a good fit. So right now it's me or some other institutional element.
I am worried about the violent turn my brother has taken, and I worry his drunk ### would stumble over and cause trouble. My daughter just started counseling for anxiety disorder (my daughter and the niece get along fine). So many things I just can't name it all.
Just looking for input or commiseration...totally heartbroken and don't know what to do.
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