North NJ together

[shmily524]

Hi Wise ~ you are right, there are plenty of us in NJ http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif that are part of the carecure community.

Support is so important and I'd love to see if we can get this chapter (maybe we could make it the Northern NJ Chapter)to be active and strong. Until very recently Bob and I have attended support groups at Kessler in West Orange (Wheeling and Dealing) but - for whatever reason (none would be acceptable to me) for whatever reason ~ they fired the peer support leader at Kessler and now we have nowhere to meet.

Last week about 16 of us met at Houlihans up the street but we don't want to do that all the time. We like to get together at least once a month. If provides us with social opportunity and lots of learning from one another.

It amazes me how they are missing the importance of such support groups in the process of recovery. Bob and I are doing as well as we are in our adjusting to this new life -- in large part to the friends we have made and the things they have taught us.

What a shame... Shame on Kessler.

Anyway ~~~~
Does anybody have any ideas on where we could get together?

Wise ~ as always ~ you are wonderful. Thank you for all that you do.

Positively,
Dee & Bob "SHMILY" http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Wise Young]

Shmily, you guys would be very welcome to meet at the W. M. Keck Center. Wise.

[marmalady]

Dee! Do you mean Diane? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[shmily524]

http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/frown.gif Yes Diane G.
Can you believe it?
Kessler continues to disappoint us ~~ on oh so many levels.
They even discharged Bob from out patient physical therapy this week. and trust me when I say he is no where near being done. But -- they think he is at the point where he won't progress much. WHO are they to say that? His motivation is partly what kept him alive. He is still determined and how dare they think -- because most people may not progress beyond this point -- that Bob won't. Geesh. I won't even get started about Kessler Wilpage.

Positively,
Dee~World's most passionate behavioral nutritionist and Ever-loving wife, friend and lover to the sweetest guy on earth, Bob (L1/L2, March 2002)

[marmalady]

Kessler's been bought by someone - can't remember who, and I think between that, and all the new insurance restrictions, and the fact that they went 'private' a few years ago, has all combined in contributing to the downhill spin of the quality of their treatment. I have heard that the good therapists and nurses and even a few docs are leaving. Sad.

Diane was operating on a grant - maybe the grant didn't go thru for this year. She was unhappy there, anyway, and looking for something else. So there's no peer support at all at Kessler? Sad.

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[FREEJ]

Hihttp://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif Marmalady, I believe Kessler has been bought by the ''Wilpage Corp.'' Kessler is just the name, ''Wilpage'' is now the owner. They are a big corp, 'n Jackie, you know the ''numero uno'' motive for a corp,,,$$$, not quality,personable care.

Hi Dee, I totally relate to both of your disappointments; 1--the quality/care/''genuine'' concern of the Kessler operatives/services. 2--of them discharging your husband and basically saying, ''well, that's all we can do for him, now go and learn to face 'n adjust to his ''new'' way off living.

Marm, I don't know you personally[just from boards//we have corresponded], and in my opinion you are a ''on top of things'' and dilligent. Dee, RE; your disappointment of Kessler's ''negative charged disposition'' of your husband. ''How dare they think,,,,''[I sense 'strength/will], Dee, yes, we must be realistic, but DON'T ever give up on your ''positive'' outlook and hope,faith, 'n mental/physical ''will'' to not settle 'n move forward.

Marm/Dee,,, what you two are now observing/learning about Kessler; I have experienced and have monitored first hand. ''I know,,,I know too well.'' I was there as a patient[unlike you 2 as caregivers,,,''thank God.''] 23 yrs ago; I was considered/labeled a ''rebel'' for MY non-conforming to their negative/dismal 'realistic' disposition. It was/has been/still is, my faith in God, hope, ment/phy strength,,,'n my[exuse me lady's]''FU'' attitude to negativity that has brought me through.

OK,,,, I best stop here, why waist my energy on ,,,,,,,garbage. Dee, 'n u think ''if 'u' get started'',,,lol. Just hold strong to your ''nature.'' Sometimes I'm up in Fairfield[nxt to u], maybe we'll cross paths.

Jackie,,,, I hope things are go'g well for you in NO or SO Carolina,,, hope matt's ok.

[marmalady]

Hi, Free - Thanks for the kind words! It just makes me sad that an institution started by THE forerunner of modern rehabilitation - Henry Kessler - has been so poorly managed that the care has gone down the drain. I have images of Dr. Kessler rolling in his grave at the decisions and quality of care. Maybe I'll write to some of the folks I know at Kessler and let 'em know how they're being perceived by the 'outside' world!

Makes me sad too that some of the best docs and therapists and nurses have left. With rehabs like Craig and Shephard now leading the way, you'd think someone would get a clue.

Sigh.

PS - We're in Charleston, SC, enjoyed the milder winter - hubbie was doing cartwheels that he didn't have to snowplow! And Matt's lovin the warmer weather!

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[alismay]

Hi Folks, I just caught your posts about Kessler. I have a nephew there right now, so I was VERY interested in what you had to say. I had sort of been concerned about the lack of emotional and peer support, and I felt that it was as important a part of things as physical, occupational and respiratory therapy.
I had also been doing a lot of reading on Shepherd early on, even before he was transferred to Kessler. Due to the fact that they live there in north Jersey, and he had been at the University Hospital in Newark - of course Kessler seemed to be the next step. However, I still had my questions and concerns after he got there. Kessler was hyped up to be this great place. And after what you all said - I believe it in fact WAS - but now is trying to get a free ride on the name, and relying on its past reputation.
As I continue to read about Shepherd and Craig - they seem to have so much going for them. Of course I don't have any personal experience - and everyone has their own opinion about a place.
Any more info anyone wants to give me would be great.
Thanks!