I really need your opinions, please

[Wahine]

PN - it's very good of you to help your friend like this. I have a lot of experience with Frist Nations people and they are a very proud and stoic lot. In the past I have had to discuss many uncomfortable issues with my First Nations patients and I have found that they often respond well to you laying out the facts and letting them think about their options over a night or two.

Usually, I'm discussing problems related to substance abuse with them and ways to deal with it. This is a very different situation, but one of the things I have done inthe past is contact people from the tribe to help. They can often help make suggestions on how to manage these issues in a way that is sensitive to their culture.

Thank you for helping Ed and take care.

[rocknrollgirl]

I do not have much to add to all of the great advice already give. If it were me in Ed's place, I am sure I would want all the cards out on the table. I think that W adds an additional piece by contacting members of the tribe.

I do want to tell you that I think that it is an amazing thing that you are doing. There are not enough people like you out there.

[Popoki_Nui]

Just came back from the hospital; Ed is looking and sounding much better, but they are still doing tests as they haven't figured out what happened to him. Ed, being Ed, is all grumpy and twitchy and wanting to be elsewhere.

It turns out someone has already tipped off Social Services to his living conditions. A nurse told me in confidence (since I'm not family); she suspects the ambulance crew did it. It certainly wasn't Ed's nephew. He told me today Ed will be going back home after his release from the hospital, and to more-or-less butt my white trash @$$ out of family affairs. This from a nephew who -although he lives next door to Ed- rarely moves himself to help Ed in any meaningful way. In fact, now when I enter Ed's hospital room and nephew is there, the mood turns downright glacial and I'm totally ignored. By both of them! WTF??
Maybe I shouldn't, but I feel a little...hurt. And not quite sure what to do. Guess I'll just hang out around the edges and see what happens next.

But blood definitely is thicker than water.