Rick,
Contact me off the list at [log in to unmask] I am an attorney, 32
years old dx with PD at the age of 27. I too have two small children. Two
boys ages 1 1/2 and 2 1/2. I have been fighting for PD rights since my dx.
I testified before the US Senate in January of 1999 regarding stem cell
research, months before MJF. I think your story is atrocious. Are the
Courts considering taking your children completely away from you??? Or are
you attempting to get sole custody??? Disability should not bar rights to
visitation. E-mail me with more details.
Thanks, Rich Pikunis
New Jersey
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or any due diligence on my part. Everything stated is purely a general
comment or suggestion based upon the limited facts presented to me. My
comments are free and intended to be educational, but NOT relied upon. You
MUST consult with another qualified attorney, familiar with local rules of
court, your states laws, with regard to your specific circumstances.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Barrett <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 3:02 PM
Subject: PD, Divorce, and child custody
> Hi folk,
>
> I am a 38 year old man with PD (dx at 31). My wife of 11 years decided to
> divorce me and began those proceedings about 16 months ago. We have two
kids
> - a boy, age 6, and a girl, 20 months.
>
> I am over the bitterness of my wife wanting to divorce me, but she insists
> upon taking the children away too. Her approach has been to use my PD
> against me. It would be one thing if I was a danger to the children, but I
> am still functioning quite well. I have only recently retired from my job.
I
> live along and manage quite well. My kids get to visit me every other
> weekend and two evenings each week. I have taken them camping, fishing, to
> children's parties and participate in school functions etc. I enjoy being
> "Mr. Mom." However, sometimes I don't feel well enough to drive or do
fine
> motor skill tasks like sewing an arm back on a stuffed animal. I explain
to
> my 5 year old "sometimes daddy is a slow-poke, but I will get to job
done."
>
> Unfortunately, my soon-to-be ex-wife has seized on my condition and was
> successful in getting a judge to rule that I should not be allowed drive
> with the kids in the car. I tried to explain to the judge that it is
because
> I know when I should not drive that makes me a safe driver. My doctors
agree
> that the only restrictions that should be placed on my driving are those
> that I place on myself. I have never had a ticket nor been involve in an
> accident. Nevertheless, I lost that battle. As it stands now I can drive
> across the country (I recently returned from a roadtrip vacation of the
> western US), but I cannot drive the kids 10 blocks to get an ice-cream or
> replenish the diaper supply. It feels like I am under "house arrest."
>
> If that were the end of it I would "deal with it" and get on with things,
> but now my ex is claiming that she worries about the safety of the
children
> when they are with me. While there is no justification to this, I am
> concerned that I cannot keep up the fight indefinitely. As of last week my
> ex-wife's legal fees were in excess of $67,000!
>
> My situation (disabled father, seeking visitation / custody with minor
> children) seems to not only allow discrimination but invites it. I want to
> spend as much time as possible with my children while I am still strong.
>
> A few questions...
>
> Is there anyone else in a similar situation?
>
> How does one convince a court or anyone else that as a PWP that I can
manage
> my illness and that just because there are times when I refuse to drive
> should not infer that I cannot drive?
>
> Are there any advocacy groups out there who might be helpful?
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Rick Barrett
>
