Intro--ososweet1 from California

[sweetthang]

I am actually an old member whose husband was incarcerated at CMC in San Luis Obispo for five years from 2000 to 2005. He had serious medical issues when he arrived there as he was the recipient of a liver transplant and took 14 different meds a day. Needless to say, his ability to get the meds let alone the special foods he needed was not an easy proposition. Terrified, lonely and isolated from friends and family who were judgmental, I happened upon PTO one night -- it saved my life and made the time tolerable. I made friends, I carpooled, I learned slowly but surely how to become my husband's advocate for proper care. For Tommy, a five year sentence became a life sentence when he was exposed to TB, West Nile Virus, Hep C, flu, etc. His diabetes and Hep C that had been completely eliminated with the transplant, returned. Two wonderful doctors went out of their ways to help me deal with a broken system even though they were thwarted every step of the way. I used the experience I gained to help others new to the system muddle through the counselors who didn't call back, the drugs not administered and most importantly how to become a squeaky wheel in the system to make an intolerable situation tolerable. In his fifth year a staph infection threatened to take his life and he was moved finally to the hospital in town. He was there for the final two months; the CO's drove into town to get him, brought him back, loaded him down with his worldly possessions and returned him to me. He was a mess but the best looking mess I had seen in a number of years. He had always like working in the yard and as his strength improved daily so did his desire to resume life. He spent every morning on our front porch on a wood bench - he couldn't sit in the soft recliner I had bought for him, and greet passersby, read a little, work a little and finish his evening watching the sunset over Catalina Island. It was truly heaven on earth and seeing the sparkle return to those beautiful blue eyes made my heart soar. One month to the day of his release, he suffered a massive stroke and was gone in a heartbeat at 54 years old. I will never change my belief that the CDC was instrumental in his death and those of so many others caused by neglect and politics. The most important thing to me is that he died a free man - against all odds. Secondly, sincere "I love you's" were the last words exchanged that night as we drifted off to sleep. Seven years later, I still miss him terribly. Our son who spent his teen years driving five hours to visit his dad every other month feels robbed and I too believe he was. Breaking up families has only created a different prison class - those of us who survive on the outside while our loved one barely survives life on the inside. He is now an Army Staff Sgt. and recruiter who sports a full sleeve tat dedicated to his father with the main line "Ride Free" with an eagle, his dates and an American flag surrounding. I too got a tat - my first at 50 years of age - in his honor. I have continued my fight for prison reform in ways that my man would have approved: Extras for the Hospice, letters to government officials, keeping the realities of prison life in the forefront so that people cannot just close their eyes, ears and minds. PTO and the many strong women, men and inmates I met here put me on a mission that I do not believe I can ever turn from. They gave me courage, showed me how to stand tall and proud and survive. There are no words of thanks that can convey my gratitude and I pray all of us continue the fight until this war against the real injustices that continue to thrive in prisons across this country is won. Thank you and God bless each and every one of us that has the strength to stand by and to love the other victims of the system.

[Renee]

I am sorry to hear about your loved one, but happy that you are inspired to make changes. Good luck to you!