Helping Eric Sullivan
Eric Sullivan has spent 26 years of his life needing hourly care. At 13 months, Eric received severe brain damage while at his baby-sitter’s. On August 11th, TennCare pulled Eric’s coverage with no warning. The next day Eric had no nurses to tend to him while his mother, Glenda, went to work to support the family. TennCare said that Eric no longer qualified for care.
TennCare supplied 16 hours of care a day, and Glenda took care of Eric the remaining 8 hours a day. When the nurses were pulled, Glenda had to take off of work to care for Eric, leaving the family with no income. Glenda has two other daughters, one in high school and one in college. She also cares for her elderly diabetic mother and her brother that appears to have Down’s Syndrome and seizures.
During the day, Eric’s trach must be monitored. Glenda said that it has a tendency to come loose. Eric’s receives several breathing medicines to prevent dry lungs and infections.
Eric is fed through a feeding tube. Glenda mixes several fluids together to make up his meal. He is fed this way 4 times a day.
Glenda and Eric live in a small mobile home with her 2 other daughter, her disabled brother and her elderly mother. Glenda spends almost all of her time caring for Eric, but must find time to take her mother and brother to the doctor. Glenda’s brother was ill when I was in their home, but Glenda didn’t have to time to take him to the hospital.
Eric sleeps in Glenda’s room. Glenda and her mother sleep in the same bed and monitor Eric during the night.
Glenda said that TennCare not only took care of Eric’s nurses, but also his medicine, medical supplies and food.
On Friday, August 21st, this article ran front page in the Jackson Sun. At 11am, TennCare called and told Glenda that they were reinstating Eric’s coverage. Eric got his nurses back on Saturday.
We made a difference.
Dialysis
Ervin Miller, 52, is a dialysis patient at the DaVita Center. He hopes to some day receive a kidney transplant.
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