Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Good News About Elizabeth's Successful Heart Procedure

Message, with good news, from Elizabeth's mom, Teresa.....

Mr. Durango,

This is Teresa, Elizabeth's mom. Her surgery had been scheduled tentatively since January. We have had a firm date since early April.

I want to make sure that everyone remembers that this hubub about her heart condition started because she responded to something someone said on the blog.

She wrote (with our permission) about Mr. D., one of the members who has known her since her birth, who let me know that he plays the lottery when the prizes are really large so he can win and help pay for Elizabeth's surgery. I discouraged him from this many times. It was his way of saying that he wanted to do something to help us, as we have helped him.

When he was homeless for 2 years, carrying his possessions in a black garbage bag, with no money or food, we were there for him. And I think that coming to Paradise Center, being "normal" and interacting with my baby daugher, helped give him hope for his own future. (I can't wait for the comments about how awful I am to let a HOMELESS MAN around my infant.)

Regarding her surgery, she insists we call it "a procedure". Less scary for her, but actually more accurate. The evening of the "procedure", she was up, playing charades with visiting friends, and even tap dancing. Everything went smoothly, the doctor and all of the staff at Children's Medical were amazing, and we are all so happy to have that hurdle behind us. She doesn't even have one stitch on her body. Amazing!

Thank you for your concern and well wishes,

Teresa Davis
Paradise Center, Inc.
friends helping friends in mental health recovery
www.ParadiseCenterInc.org

Monday, August 8, 2011

The Paradise Center's Elizabeth

That is Elizabeth holding a couple of her many awards. Those of us who have been following the Paradise Center Scandal have read about Elizabeth. And her mom, Teresa, and dad, Steve.

The bad people who committed the dirty deeds that erupted into the Paradise Center Scandal counted,, among their dirty deeds attacking Teresa's parenting of Elizabeth.

Today I heard some good news from Anonymous about Elizabeth. I have been unable to confirm the good news, but I suspect it is true.

This is what Anonymous had to say...

I was told by a sweet couple that go to Paradise Center that Elizabeth had a procedure at Childrens Hospital in Dallas to repair the hole in her heart. Broadway Baptist is praying for her. Let's keep her in our prayers.

I talked to Elizabeth when CatsPaw and I visited Paradise Center last month. What a cute, sweet, smart little girl Teresa and Steve have raised. Let's keep Elizabeth and her mom and dad, and her Paradise Center family in our prayers.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Tale of Bobby & Marie's Ordeal With MHMR-TC

We got a message from Paradise Center this morning. And a video.

In the video you meet Bobby and Marie and hear the story of their nightmare of dealing with MHMR-TC.

Paradise Center had this to say.......

We wanted to share with you this video that we shot today at Paradise Center, at the request of some members.  As it was unfolding, it was so outrageous that, unless some of our phone conversations were on video, no one would believe it.

This video is of two members telling their horrible experience today with MHMR and how we were able to advocate for them.

Thanks for your support of Paradise Center.  We exist for the folks telling their story, Bobby and Marie, and the hundreds of others in Fort Worth who are mentally ill and need support.

Monday, June 6, 2011

A Compilation of Recent Paradise Center Scandal Comments

We've not done a Paradise Center Scandal Comments Compilation since May 18.

Since the start of June the comments have turned even nastier, with the nastiness emanating, as it has from the start, from commenters in support of the bizarre actions of Mental Health Mental Retardation-Tarrant County (MHMR-TC), that precipitated the Paradise Center Scandal.

My favorite among this group of comments are those from CatsPaw, aka CowsHoof, explaining to the Anonymous MHMR commenter that his/her comments are identifiable, even though he/she comments Anonymously, due to the Anonymous bad grammar, bad spelling and mean-spirited illogic being identifiers as clear as fingerprints.

Below are the most recent, 30, give or take one or two, blog post comments, starting with the most recent...
   
Wow, the MHMR attack dogs sure are off their leashes and urged to "sic" Teresa's family, the consumer-run nonprofit, commenters who show intelligence and intellectual honesty, and even people suffering from severe and persistent mental illness --lashing out at those from Pathways Housing because they pointed out misrepresentations and threatening those who supported their organization with the government (SSI). Are we living in a Nazi ruled community? ?
By clinic eyes on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... at 7:41 AM
   
It just finally clicked in this old creaky brain: regarding the sudden, shocking, and harsh treatment of major Medicaid Star+ HMO BRAVO Health...the statement explaining the enrollment suspension appears to have a direct connection, if not a causal relationship, between the HMO's costly suspension and the fight for respect and honesty by Paradise Center Inc. and Ms. Davis because I wouldn't be surprised if THE STATE AUTHORITY WAS HEARING ALARMS GOING OFF WHEN THE ENROLLMENT OF MHMR-TC CLIENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS BY MHMR-TC ABOUT THEIR COMPLETE CONTROL OVER "OUR PROGRAM PARADISE CENTER" WERE CONTRADICTED BY THE DIRECTOR AND THE NONPROFIT BEHAVING LIKE WHO THEY REALLY ARE...AN INDEPENDENT AND AUTONOMOUS CHARITY LIVING OUT THEIR MISSION AND FULFILLING THE PART OF THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH THEIR PARTNERING ENTITY MHMRTC. In essence, the agency made misleading and false representations to the HMO and the state...unless they could somehow show evidence that they owned and have complete control over their "program and employee". How would they do that? Either get Teresa to go along with the charade as an MHMR program OR just get rid of her...reassured somehow that the part-time employee and mental health consumer assisting Teresa would be able to replace her and to retain and control the consumer group's leaders to operate the community centet and maintain the high attendance/participation in order for their monetizing plan with Bravo to work and bring in the projected profit/revenue. But the McDermott team were too arrogant and careless in their dealings wish the nonprofit, whose humility and carefulness "gave them a leg up on their reckless abusers. MHMR-TC McDermott gang picked in-kind on the wrong people.
By HMO girl on The Most Recent 25 Paradise Center Scandal Comment... on 6/5/11
   
What the heck is "Teresa is finally on her own" supposed to mean? It's a good thing to be in for her if it means she's gotten away from the incompetence and abuse/exploitation at the hands of the bullycrats. What does it say for people who seem to relish being "under MHMRTC"?? I, for one, will choose freedom and dignity over being "under" anybody or anything EVERY TIME. Obviously, I am not now nor will I soon be affiliated with Jim McDermott, his so called gals, NAMI-TC, MHA, or any of the so called Christian people who acted no differently from amoral and immoral people involved in this ungodly scandal. Know what I mean, Broadway Baptist Church leaders?? and those who claim to carry on the work of MLK?? Rotten "fruits" you've produced my "brothers".
By Skeptic on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/5/11
   
Obviously literacy skills, high moral standards, and professional competence are not obstacles to employment and leadership in MHMR of Tarrant County. The evidence is in the craziness and desperation by all levels of the agency WHEN SOMEONE STANDS THEIR GROUND, FIRMLY ON HIGH MORAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. It appears that such qualities are foreign to the leadership of the second largest MHMR "center" or authority in Texas. I'd try to improve the agency's standards, starting from the top downward.
By Tom E. on The Most Recent 25 Paradise Center Scandal Comment... on 6/5/11

Correction: the first commenter was Mary and not Suzette. This is so fascinating, watching how twisted thought process and moral values affect people's behavior. I'd love to give these MHMRTC "professionals" a few neuropsych tests for free, just to see how the scores compare to their behavior. "The TRUTH WON OUT" --huh? How? "Teresa Davis made the BIG Mistake"--huh? How's that? I could go on but most people can already see the obvious mental and factual flaws. Surely MHMRTC can afford to hire better people to do their PR work, especially an important one like this scandal. BTW, no one has said your threat was "on CPS". It was made to or "on" those parents of the little child. And I'll bet you almost anything that those people have done whatever they needed for their only child (?), if not even more-- like seeking additional opinions and options. These are obviously well educated and prudent people, with Teresa being a professional who knows how to navigate the medical system (as seen in report about her helping a client recently). Oh yes, maybe what the shill is saying is that "Sue" is the person giving the nonprofit a "grant"..or they hope she does so the group won't sue the hell out of MHMRTC? When do you want to take the tests? Just takes around 45 minutes...if you can read at a sixth grade level.
By Psych prof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/5/11
   
Hey bloggerman, is the second comment on this posting by the obvious MHMR shill (June 01) addressed to "YOU"? Because from normal literacy practices, the second person pronoun without any reference to someone else is taken as directed at the writer, which in this case is you the blogger...or the first commenter Suzette, but it wouldn't make sense to conclude that. If these MHMRTC shills are indeed directing that comment at you, congratulations because you have "followers", Durango. Pretty soon you'll be like Jimbo McD. who has supplicants and subservient employees and an other pillars of the community in his pocket. Seriously, this "new" (but not really) attack angle of "Teresa Davis has brought this on herself" and having "only herself to blame", yada-yada, makes no sense at all because she is not in any kind of legal, professional, political, or financial hotwater as far as the facts bear out. To the contrary, it is a fact that Jimbo and his gang "had brought this on himself/themselves," because they are in some serious trouble: legally, professionally, politically, etc. The sociopathic trait of blaming the victime for the "crime" (criminal or civil) is apparently on full display here. You know, like a perp claiming "that old lady asked for it because she had a lot of money and was weak and vulnerable" or the school bully saying "the kid asked for it because he's scrawny and doesn't have many friends to help him." Or the classics: the property owner brought it on themselves for displaying their possessions AND the woman asked for it by the way she dresses. That criminal mindset would only be normal and somewhat acceptible within criminal gangs, the mafia, or the hardcore prisons. NOT in regulary American society, MHMRTC.
By Psych Prof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/5/11
   
Norma can be a crusty old woman sometimes but shes a big part of our second family in paradise. she's kinda like the big sister or auntie to many of us. the thing about mental illness people don't understand is that most of us have been cut off from our original families mostly due to the problems our illness caused them or their shame for how we are. so were lucky to have a second but very real family who accept us and help us in our life journey. Norma, Don, teresa, and other paradise leaders are just like our family because they listen to our problems, help us, and give good advice and be good role models.
By young paradise guy on A Paradise Center Message From Norma On Facebook on 6/5/11
   
The May 27 comment appears to indicate that MHMRTC's CEO reads this blog because his homies are using this site as like their Facebook to post shout outs to their top G, thanking him for hustling the corners of the county to raise money for MHMR. What ever happened to the $100 million received by the agency from taxing entities annully?? Strange that the CEO spends time raising a few thousand dollars from his political contacts. Hire a development specialist or let someone more able and willing to assume the important role of CEO. Oh yea, why is a CEO of a 1400 strong agency focusing his time and energy on a director/manager level employee like Ms. Davis?
By Anna on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/4/11

"Lawrence is the most loyal client..."--that is so condescending and reflects the attitude of seeing these disabled people as pawns for the incompetent and possibly exploitive agency leadership. Lawrence is African-American, and as a "brother" I take extreme offense at how he's referred to ("loyal" like my best dog in the yard) and what he's "volunteered" to do. I also know that the other peer leaders like Big Tony, Loopy Lynn, and the new hires after Old Hand Sandra finally grad-you-ated DO NOT LIKE THE HEAT OR THE DIRTY WORK. Regarding the pathway housing people, why are you pressuring them to "step up and volunteer" when there are 4-6 of you low level techs getting paid to do the work? You get salaries to buy new cars and such, but do they get for doing what you yourselves are PAID TO DO? Piece of advice, you'll go nuts by continuing to compare yourselves and your agency "program", actually a sub-program of that overcrowded and understaffed clinic, with THE INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION that you envy/admire and loathe so much at the same time.It's kind of like you're working at a fastfood franchise and they are owners of their original restaurant with the freedom to change and adapt to meet their objectives, instead of taking orders from headquarters to do the same basic thing over and over without any sense of ownership or ability to have input. Capech, Anthony the silenced "manager"--how come, too busy consoling and holding the shaky body of the shaken Boss Hawg of MHMR and Tarrant County??
By Rainbow child on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/4/11
   
Hey Dan the Dad, while it's true that the Texas Tort Reform Act of 1982 limits the financial liability for a governmental unit, I believe that some good litigators can find other ways to bring justice to people whose actions went beyond their customary role as an employee of said entity. Based on what has been said---and NOT denied!!-- I imagine that there are some very nervous people because what they did to the director, and even the MH consumers, were very personal and vindictive...far beyond what's called for in the duties of their jobs.
By O. on A Friend Of MHMRTC Pros Comments About This Whole ... on 6/4/11
   
Norma, thank you for sharing your feelings and for sharing your God-given gifts to help other of God's children. Keep the FAITH. Have HOPE. And LOVE all people, even those who are hateful. God bless you and Paradise Center Inc.
By Michael on A Paradise Center Message From Norma On Facebook on 6/4/11
   
These MHMRTC folks seem awefully INTERESTED in everything about the little nonprofit group, even scrutinizing their typical needs list and donors who most likely gave their permission to have their support noted on the website. What became of your boastings about how great and perfect things are for you under the mighty bullycrats? BTW, why don't you add my name to the list of your "donors" since my hard earned tax dollars are used to pay for all the things you gloated about and, lord help us, PAY YOUR DANG SALARIES....to do good, not this idiotic b.s.
By Bob Smith on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/4/11
   
Oh, Anonymous ... you inspire me. Perhaps we've gotten this all wrong. Your repeated concern for an unfortunate [well-loved and socialized] little girl, your insomniac worry that her [not oblivious] parents haven't noticed that her welfare is at stake, your [un]healthy contempt for not only her parents but so many of the mental health consumers who have remained loyal to Ms Davis and Paradise Center, your [a**kissing] praise for Jim & Co. ... well, you've sold me! It's all such a load. So, I promise to deliver in your honor some of that much-mentioned toilet paper to the new Paradise Center. It is my greatest hope that you, Anonymous, will be remembered fondly and thanked repeatedly as it is enjoyed by consumers. Keep up the good work!
By CowHoof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/4/11
   
"One reason is to bring it to the parents attention "---do you honestly think that the child's parents aren't aware of this fact?? SO, NOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN YOUR WEENY EXCUSE OUT OF THE WAY: what exactly is your real reason/s for making this threat?? Because it's crystal clear to any person with an average IQ and middle school literacy skills that you neither care one iota about that innocent child nor do you have anything but malice toward her parents...just plain old malicious intentions. Consider this a practice run before you were to get asked similar questions by not so nice attorneys under not so casual circumstances. Is this the way MHMR under Jim McDermott operates, using vicious personal attacks through slanderous or libelous statements ?? Is this the explanation for the sense of fear of retaliation that have been expressed by MHMR employees and even members of NAMI? ? Something is very SERIOUSLY WRONG with this taxpayer funded agency if this kind of un-American behavior is accepted as standard practice.
By J.D. on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/4/11
   
"Enjoy your freedom WHILE WE ENJOY OURD UNDER MHMRTC"....ever heard of concepts called irony and oxymoron, MHMR MORONS?? Is the name of the victims' lawyer "Sue"?? We're new to this site so help us out. Is "Sue" one of the attorneys filing the lawsuits against you wrongdoers?? Thanks for letting the public know about what the Paradise Center organization need to help it do its good work. ---I.R.O.N.Y. again. We know families who have kids with the heart issue, and your dumb slanderous attack against that family is nowhere close to how parents and their physicians PLAN AHEAD to take care of such an issue. Keep on slandering and threatening this family and your dumb a**** will help pay for the fairly expensive but safe surgical procedure. Remember the old saying about not "writing a check" that your a*** can't "cash" ??
By Red Rebels on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
So this is where the famous band parent nutcases has landed?? And the boasting about having been a successful executive and major fundraiser, to boot. We hope this agency gives her much needed psychiatric treatment along with the salary her tightwad hubby crave so much. Thanks to MHMR and its competence+judgment challenged leadership for keeping her away from our kids and their successful band and its booster organization. Out regrets and prayers for that little girl and her family. And the many vulnerable people with mental illness who are forced to rely on MHMR and this mean female canine.
By Red Rebels on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
Well, this is not a threat on CPS. One reason is to bring it to the parents attention since Elizabeth blogged on it herself. She said one of the guys were playing lottery hoping to win to pay for surgery. She said her dad was crying as she wrote. Some should of handed Steve a hanky and let him know its gonna take some work on the parents part to get her surgery.
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

I sure hope the parents of that child reads this DIRECT THREAT by the MHMR-TC Lowlife thugs. If that was my child and family I would make these a-holes pay...by ripping them new ones and ripping into whatever asset they possess, just for the principle of it. You don't threaten my child and family and expect me to take it lying down....CPS is equivalent to the IRS in terms of the terroristic-threat spirit of the law. These incompetent bullycrats just keep digging a deeper hole for themselves by willfully engaging in such classless and crappy behavior. If you read this Teresa and Steve, these MHMR-TC lowlifes JUST THREATENED TO GET THE STATE TO TEAR YOUR FAMILY APART. Kick their scummy asses and teach them a lesson they won't ever forget.
By MHMRTC Sucks on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
Say lame duck MHMR executives & lame brain "peer leaders" saying stupid and false stuff. We maintenance people are getting so tired of yo desparat & waistfull ways. That old raggedy building on Jennings should be used for storage or torn down but not for people, even if they are so sick they're the wiser and know about how you stole their Tarrant county residents bond-funded community center at 300 Pennsylvania Ave. We sure hope you ain't talking about the commercial grade kitchen, a dang full sized one with almost $100k worth of equipments, that was stripped out last summer to make offices for Bravo. That building is designed as a multi-use "community center" for the clients. It was so nice that those clients voted to call it Paradise Center because compared to the crappy facilities MHMR had stuck them in, it was truly like being in Paradise for those poor people. But Jimmy boy had to steal it from them. We wish a real journalist would investigate and write about this dirty deed that is starting to making them arrogant Jack asses real nervous right about now. These MHMR execs have wasted so much money also on fixing up broken down quadplex called Jennings Place and on environmentlpally contaminated 507 S. Jennings for fake reasons. The 4-5 dummies getting paid to just keep 505 S. Jennings doors open weekdays are really hard to be around. And the two new vans have not moved since the Paradise and Miss Theresa moved away. Just wasting good tax money by dummies who can't even drive a little 8 passenger van to help clients get out into community like Miss Theresa did, like grocery shopping and regular outings. So much tax money but doing so little good for the disabled clients and the community they belong to. The Paradise group do A LOT OF GOOD with so little money and equipment. We talked to a couple clients this week who were so thankful that their organization and friends were helping them move to better living place. One was gonna everything if the Paradise people didn't help them move by the 1st of the month. That's probably why Paradise don't have much time or energy to waste like these puppets and there masters, wasting our tax money on stupid stuff to make them look good & be comtable BUT SCREW THE PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH BASIC BUT IMPORTANT LIFE &DEATH THINGS. We sick of these lazy thieves and there lies, from the gay bar district to the upscale Hulen Tower where they all look down on people and waste tax money.
By Fed up maintenance dudes on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

Right before our eyes are evidence of the lying, manipulating, abusing, and changing emotions of the so called peer leaders MHMR is paying salaries to front their consumer-run whatever the hell they call it program. Lying about the number of clients who got food at their "Memorial BBQ", then manipulating the Pathway folks to come make it seem more than 40 people actually attended, bumbling around about which mentally ill "peer leader" was in charge, then turning nasty on the Pathway folks because they spoke the truth. Then abusing the more disabled clients by sending them to spy and taking whatever hint of negativity about the consumer-run nonprofit to gloat and bash the all volunteer Organization. Desperate enough to take what was reported by client well-known for wild delusional ideations, such as being a member of the British Royal family and powerful psychic. Many of us working for MHMR are so frustrated with all this abusive behavior approved by the bigwigs, but we dare not say anything to anyone in authority, including the untrusty Board of Trustees, for fear of certain and destructive retaliation. BTW, lame-brained MHMR anonymous commenter, the Paradise group is doing what they as an independent organization want and when they want, not like your leashed up selves doing essentially menial labor to keep an extra clinic waiting room open and clean. You can't do what the Paradise pros were contracted to provide for MHMR. Before showing more of your ignorance, I know what I'm talking about because I was involved in those contracts and memorandi of understanding between the two organizations. The Paradise group was only being nice to not object to the Mcdermott bunch's deceptive use of the term "foundation grant" and the money used to fund the contract/"grant", especially the refinanced bond program that built the community center for clients use that's been stolen from them so that McDermott and his gals could afford their fancy multi-million dollar office tower. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE NOW CALLING THE DINKY OLD BUILDING NEXT DOOR "COMMUNITY CENTER", PUTTING ALL UTILITIES ON THE REAL COMMUNITY CENTER'S ACCOUNT (300 PENNSYLVANIA) , AND DIRECTING ALL MAIL TO THE STOLEN FACILITY ...TO MAKE IT APPEAR THAT WHAT THE VOTERS APPROVED IS BEING USED AS INTENDED. But feel free to entertain everyone with your ignorance and brazen display of incompetence and dishonesty.
By MHMR staff on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/3/11
   
So sad to see such desperation and mental instability--repeatedly, within a 24-hour period, parroting the same lines given by the sissy and his gals in Hulen Tower to cover their scared a***. We doubt it's a conscience at work here--they don't have one it seems. We think its basic human reactions when perps are caught, cornered, and about to be captured and face justice. Such incompetence is amusing, but mostly S-A-D.
By Suzette on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
Hey Incompetence Inc., people like my nephew would not have to be around your nasty attitude and manipulative ways IF MHMRTC DOES NOT REQUIRE THEM TO COME TO WEEKLY APPOINTMENTS with case managers just to get their weekly allowance. They have long waits and aren't allowed to stay in the cramped clinic waiting area so they're forced to go wait in your drop-out place. It's part of crooked ceo's scheme to make money off them: (a) bill the state for a 15-30 block of service even if getting their weekly check takes only a 5-minute "interface"; then (b) mhmrtc-bravo can count them ("capitation" is the fancy insurance term for counting heads) for billing purposes while they wait 1-2 hours at your drop-out place --most not knowing that you all simply see them as money-makers. Based on the facts, your "loyal" boy was not any member of the Paradise leadership. He hung around them because those people helped him get treatment for his medical problems and even helped feed him when he ran out of money. Just like they did with that erratic Lynne. It's appropriate that this upstanding "character" is co-Peer Leaders with Tony and Lynne, adding a new twist to the name "MHMR Cons".
By Bob B. on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/3/11
   
You "scrolled over me." Wah. I use the same name - an identifiable pseudonym - every time so people know I claim what I write. You, being one of many Anonymouses ... well, you still leave a "footprint" with your odd punctuation, repetitive phrases, mean spirit and addlepatedness. You're sounding more and more addled, agitated and desperate, poor ol' Anonymous. I'm concerned. Couldn't sleep last night? What's the matter? Conscience tickling you just a bit?
By CowHoof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

Use of Anonymous....... I find this amusing and even funny....... Its ok to use the name CatsPaw.....Well Lets see the name Dog Woof or Cow Hoof would be similar right? What about the person who used the name Pretty in Pink? Shall someone use the name Awesome in Blue or SunshineYellow? I prefer Anonymous ! It may sound unknown but so is CatsPaw........etc......
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

These mhmr cons and their cya comments don't make much sense. The only sensible thing is that they're bumbling around after getting caught in some lies about details of their "Memorial BBQ". Don't you even know what Memorial DAY is and about, other than an opportunity for you to remind God and all creation how deeply dishonest you and your McDermott bullycrat gang is?? And our hard earned tax dollars are placed in these people's hands?? Forget about getting your facts straight, just get your made up story halfway straight, and coherent if it's not too much of a stretch. Pathetic.
By joe l. on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/2/11
   
Low-life MHMR thugs just somehow has a need to let the world know how dark-hearted they really are. I agree that all these despicable comments either come from the higher ups in the agency or are approved heartily by these gutless bullycrats. The nasty personal attacks on that little family is just confirmation to me that MHMR did in fact lose a legal battle recently and are now scampering around in panick mode, expecting the truth and some overdue justice soon. That CPS comment is beneath contempt and could be pretty costly for the threat maker and the agency that is behind this defamatory campaign. These idiots are too dumb or just too lazy to even come up with a commenter name. Try "dumb a**"...or CatsPaw's label for you. Smell.
By Guelma on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Sorry cats paws.....I just scrolled over yours..... I don't need to read what you wrote. What's important is I continue to make the comments that Teresa Davis made a Big Mistake ! Now she is truly on her own and she now finds herself without a commercial Kitchen, two vans, awning, picnic tables, basket hoop, and toilet paper and the list goes on? Who's fault is this.......Teresa Davis and Linda Grooms. And now the only way they can get money is Sue ! Not grants...that would be too hard..... just have an attorney sue ! At least it is nice, cool, and calm at the Community center. They even put in a double wide commercial refrigerator! Paradise Center are losers !!!!
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Low-life MHMR thugs just somehow has a need to let the world know how dark-hearted they really are. I agree that all these despicable comments either come from the higher ups in the agency or are approved heartily by these gutless bullycrats. The nasty personal attacks on that little family is just confirmation to me that MHMR did in fact lose a legal battle recently and are now scampering around in panick mode, expecting the truth and some overdue justice soon. That CPS comment is beneath contempt and could be pretty costly for the threat maker and the agency that is behind this defamatory campaign. These idiots are too dumb or just too lazy to even come up with a commenter name. Try "dumb a**"...or CatsPaw's label for you. Smell.
By Guelma on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Lisa told me that she went to the new Paradise Center and it's not very nice inside. Only the old tv and old pool table and not much else to do but just sit around doing nothing. Since they no longer have a commercial kitchen there is no snack bar. No awning outside for smokers etc. I noticed alot of the so called donors were clients. Social Security probably would have a fit at whar clients are doing! Teresa Davis is now really on her own. Now without a van either. Now Tony and Lynn get the building, two vans. Commercial kitchen ! Life is sweet at Community Center!
By Anonymous on Paradise Center Press Release for Immediate Distri... on 6/2/11

"Anonymous" said: " ... What's important is the blogging not the name." Your "blogging" is only important insofar as to continue showing what a creepy, petty, mean little s**t-stirrer you are. However, I must compliment you - you have done a superb job of exposing some of dark underbelly of MHMRTC's leadership in your comments. The fact that McDermott & Co. have not shut you up is extremely instructive. I can only hope that the Paradise lawyers will agree. That little girl is no business of yours and stop trying to act as if you care about her welfare. You do not. You're only making yourself look worse, if that's possible. See aformentioned "s**t-stirrer."
By CatsPaw on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Pathway Peeps......no one is making you come to the Community Center. It's optional and you don't have to volunteer if you don't want too. Other peers will step up if you don't want to do it, so don't feel like it's a burden to do, just come and have fun.
By Anonymous on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/2/11
   
Regarding "Lawrence doing the cooking" at the Memorial BBQ...... Tony staff was the one who planned early to doing the BBQing but, Lawrence asked to do it. He was also going to a "family" picnic on Saturday and he was going to be the "cook for them". No he didn't spend the whole time "eating", but, kept the grill always full of items to BBQ. You cannot find a better, more loyal client than Lawrence. He was a peer leader at the "old paradise center" so that is why someone is putting hiim down! Regarding the numbers of who showed up......there was 42 people on the list but, Lynn had expected around 75 so she contacted Pathways and they were also having a BBQ to help cook for the extras.
By Anonymous on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/2/11
   
Let's address the issue of Elizabeth. No comments from her parents and they have not addressed this issue. Looks like they put Paradise Center over their own daughters health. They need to "grow up" and be parents. Since Elizabeth brought this to peoples attention that she has a hole in her heart then something needs to be done about it. Wonder if this is something "Child Protective Services" would want to check out?????
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11

Saturday, May 28, 2011

The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center Scandal

I have been asked many times to explain the Paradise Center Scandal.

This is not easy to do.

Not easy, because the Paradise Center Scandal has many facets. It took me awhile to understand how bad this scandal is, and how despicable the behavior was of those who perpetrated the scandal.


That despicable behavior has been scandalously on display, on this blog, in the form of comments coming from MHMR proponents.

Yesterday a very good blog comment came in that does a good job of explaining many aspects of the Paradise Center Scandal.

I thought this particular blog comment warranted being turned into a Paradise Center Scandal blog post........

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Most Recent 25 Paradise Center Scandal Comments...":

These could simply be coincidences, but MHMRTC signed the formal business contract with Bravo Health around September 2010--when MHMRTC execs started to intrude into the internal operations of the consumer operated nonprofit organization (Paradise Center) that MHMRTC had an ongoing contractual relationship with for several straight years.

In October, Bravo started buying ads around town, giving large donations to advocacy groups, like NAMI, and began hyping their company as the better choice for Medicaid Star+.

Jim McDermott was pressured into writing the letter to the Paradise Center Board leader using the pretext of Paradise being "over budget the last fiscal year" (by $20K+) to begin supervising their employee, Ms. Davis, who had intellectually knocked out several MHMRTC executives in several meetings intended to force her to join the scheme.

With many MHMRTC clients and NAMI family members already enrolled with Bravo at enrollment parties, but still unable to get Ms. Davis to cave in to the obvious wrongdoing, the Deputy CEO tried to force Ms. Davis into another meeting with this Deputy CEO and other execs on December 27, less than two days after Christmas. Apparently, the Paradise Center Board had outsmarted the MHMRTC team and the meeting was delayed until after the new year.

The very next day, December 28, the State Department of Health & Human Services issued the very surprising public statement that Bravo Health had been placed on a five month suspension.

February 1, 2011, Amerigroup hit the jackpot by landing all the Medicaid STAR+ people by being the default HMO provider. On February 4, 2011, McDermott, attorney, and execs met with Trustees in special "executive session to discuss Paradise Center".

Three days later McDermott sent his invitation to the Paradise Board president Linda Groom to meet on February 17 to "discuss Paradise Center" and to "bring Teresa Davis along". Apparently smelling a trap, the Paradise Board sent a strongly worded letter on February 17 defending its sovereignty, so to speak.

In an act of desperation, McDermott, the MHMRTC attorney, and his executive team decided to take the risk of terminating Ms. Davis that afternoon.

A few days later the State Department of Health & Human Services sent out letters notifying people that Bravo could start enrollment on March 17 -- exactly one month after the termination and coup.

The public protests by the Paradise group, and the start of this blog, caused MHMRTC to bleed public money -- in trying to replicate the work of Ms. Davis and Paradise Center AND to decimate their existence -- and to lose public trust, both of which are well chronicled on this blog and elsewhere.

The robbery of the disabled group's properties was spotlighted by the POD's presence for several weeks, right next to the group's former home, essentially destroying the grand scheme that MHMRTC had planned for and with Bravo.

Many questions have now come to the front regarding the conduct of the McDermott regime over the years.
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As the Paradise Center Scandal moves into the justice system method of righting wrongs and punishing wrongdoers. I don't think I'd be sleeping all that well, if I were Jim McDermott.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Davis and Paradise Center

Each day I get a couple emails asking if I've gotten any news about Paradise Center. Most wonder if I know anything about the current legal/court status of the scandal.

For those of us who are fans of Frank Capraesque All-American happy endings, I believe that is the direction we are heading with the Paradise Center Scandal.

Today I got a message from Teresa Davis to share with you....

In our case, the saying "no news is good news" definitely applies.

Thanks to our many supporters, our organization has set up shop, and we are slowly rebuilding our program.

We invite you to check us out on facebook where our friends are posting their stories and messages. 

Also, don't forget to check out our website for the latest news (check out our many generous donors!) and volunteer opportunities.

If you want to come see our new place, then Memorial Day would be a great time.  We don't have a "Grand Opening" party planned yet, but we'll be here Monday playing water games and cooking food on the grill. 

Stop by and have a burger with us...we love seeing friends, old and new!

Teresa Davis
Paradise Center, Inc.
friends helping friends in mental health recovery
www.ParadiseCenterInc.org

525 S. Henderson Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104
817-348-0911

Friday, May 20, 2011

A Friend Of MHMRTC Pros Comments About This Whole Painful Saga

Today the Paradise Center Scandal blog got a comment to a May 12 blogging titled "A Message from Paradise Center's Teresa Davis" from a commenter calling him or herself "Friend of MHMRTC Pros," which seemed as if the comment was worthy of turning into its own blog post.

Below is that comment........

Friend of MHMRTC pros has left a new comment on your post "A Message from Paradise Center's Teresa Davis":

Just got confirmation from an mhmrtc source that (1) the anonymous commenter is in fact "an operator for Jim McDermott" during this whole painful saga; (2) this person has served McDermott by continuing to communicate with the Paradise group as a supporter of the group but without disclosing that their true loyalty is to McDermott; (3) that this anonymous post addressing Teresa directly was spurred by two major developments: a major setback for mhmrtc in an official proceeding, which could get many more people into real hot water for carrying out different parts of the CEO's scheme; AND that the expected official appearance of legal counsel finally materialized--this way McDermott's and/or mhmrtc's lawyer could communicated lawyer-to-lawyer regarding how best to repair the damages done to Teresa and the Paradise group---and ASAP, before more disclosures and questions about things like what was going on with BRAVO and NAMI-TC, the appropriation of the bond-funded community center facility at 300 Pennsylvania Ave from the mental health consumer group, the funding source and method used to acquire the extravagant Hulen Tower, etc.

The CEO wants to ride off into the sunset without everyone thinking that this scandal and blog site--and that spunky woman and a group of severely ill people--working in synergy WAS THE reason for his untimely and disgraceful departure.

So for him and those who backed him and his decisions, paying lawyers and whatever sum of settlement/s money to "end" this ongoing scrutiny is well worth the face-saving result that they expect from going through the legal process (i.e. lawyers from both camps). This way the CEO can continue to avoid dealing directly with the disturbing facts and questions because "the attorney/s are handling this, so I can't discuss it".