Sunday, September 14th 2008

Dear Slate,

I read your letter on our web-site, McDorman.com, with tears in my eyes. Your love for me, your mother, and your brother, who is brain damaged, is beautiful. When I look back at that night in the town council meeting in Mentone it is like re-living a nightmare. When you were growing up, you asked me for so very little, I want to help you in any way I can. So, when you asked me to drive up to Mentone for the meeting at the Town Hall, of course I wanted to go. You felt that a family member should be present, not only because of possible accusations that we felt might be made against our family, but also, I believe that God told you to have me present to take care of Sim. Also, we knew that Angela Flannigan was speaking at the meeting, and because our family shares her love and concern for the safety of her young boys, we wanted to support her in every way we could. Angela and Chuck represent what a Christian, loving family should be.

Sim`s seizure started as Angela began to talk, and by the time I reached Sim, a man sitting at the long table up in front of the meeting, started saying horrible things about Sim, our brain damaged child, in the midst of his seizure!!! I was in shock and concerned only for the welfare of my child. I wish to thank the officer who came over to us and aided me to find water for Sim. I do appreciate his help so very much. He was one of the few people in the the room who acted to help me.

When the Ambulance arrived, the medics wanted to start an IV on Sim, which alarmed me, because like me, he has small veins, and we have always had trouble with injections. As they lifted Sim onto a gurney and placed him in the ambulance, I backed away to allow the professionals to treat him and save his life. When I returned inside to the Town Hall meeting, Angela concluded her talk. Still in shock, and angered by the hostility shown by those in charge of the meeting and their indifference to my son's condition, I asked the identity of the man at the head table whom I had heard say such hateful things about my son during his seizure and was absolutely shocked to learn that this was the mayor himself---a man to whom countless parents have entrusted with the well being of their children at summer camp. I can only hope that if any of his campers suffered seizures, he would be more compassionate and competent in their care. I find it incomprehensible that he would be so indifferent to the health and well being of a young man who was in obvious medical distress.

Leaving Sim to the medical professionals, I returned to our Mentone home to gather all of his medications for the doctors at Dekalb Medical Center. It was very important that they have a complete medical history and his drug protocols since he has a bad heart and this seizure was so unexpected. A very nice man who came out of the Mentone meeting told me how to get to the Hospital in Fort Payne.

I was told one of the council members, John Paul Verndon, called me an "awful mother" in front of everyone, for coming back in the meeting and not following Sim to the hospital. I was keeping a constant eye on the ambulance the whole time. The ambulance had not even left for the hospital when I finally left that awful meeting. What kind of a man would be so cruel?

I find it appalling and completely unacceptable that the Mentone authorities made absolutely no effort to assist my son or me. We still haven’t received even one concerned phone call and he was hospitalized for two days. These are certainly not the attitudes of Christian gentlemen as I am sure these men regard themselves. These are the attitudes of callous, self-important and petty little politicians who care only for themselves.

Virginia McDorman

Tuesday September 9 th 2008

            On Tuesday September 8, 2008 at the Mentone Town Meeting, my brother, Simbo, suffered a seizure during the meeting. Simbo was taken to Dekalb Regional Medical Center . As of writing this letter, Tuesday September 9, his condition is stable, but the hospital has asked he be kept for another night of additional evaluation. At the age of three, Simbo was involved in a car wreck causing irreparable brain injury. As a child, my brother was prone to seizures but this is the first one anyone can recall in his adult life.

            Due to work/school I was unable to attend the town meeting. I understand that his seizure occurred at the closing of a presentation by Angela Flannigan about the Mentone Bridge project. Numerous people who were at the meeting have relayed to me that Mayor Hammond stated that my brother's seizure “looked staged.” Further, following the meeting, I am told that town council member, John Paul Verndon, stated that my mother was “an awful mother” for not immediately following my brother to the hospital.

            If Mayor Hammond did publicly accuse my brother of staging a seizure, I can only pray that he and his family never have to endure a family member suffering such a debilitating condition. While my brother's life was on the line, Mayor Hammond accused Simbo, whose mental capacity is around that of a 12 year old, of staging this serious physical condition. Not only was Mr. Hammond's accusation hurtful and inappropriate (as coming from an individual), his position as an elected official should prohibit him from speaking such harmful slander. With his position in the community, his comments endanger my brother's and my family's reputation. In my opinion, Rob Hammond should be ashamed of himself for picking on someone who not only has a severe disability but was in the midst of a serious medical trauma. I'd also like to add that my brother is one of the most loving souls that God has put on this earth, and he has never done anything to intentionally hurt anyone. He deserves to be treated with dignity, and (if Mr. Hammond did make those comments) I believe Mr. Hammond owes Simbo a sincere apology.

Let me go on to state that it is beyond ridiculous (to the point of slanderous) that the Mayor of Mentone would accuse my brother and our family of staging this serious medical illness. Our family has endured several tragic illnesses and recent family deaths. We are already exhausted from dealing with real traumas and certainly have no need to create imaginary scenarios. For Mr. Hammond, who to my knowledge has no medical expertise, to even suggest this makes me question his personal judgment and the nature of his character. If Mayor Hammond really believes this, I ask him to visit my brother at Dekalb Regional Medical Center to see if he still holds this opinion.

           I've also been told that Councilman Verndon spoke negatively about my mother's maternal abilities because of her hesitation to leave with my brother in the ambulance. While I don't know the exact timeline of the incident involved, the most logical reason for this is that she was in a state of shock. She was by herself at the meeting with no friends or family to support her. Her son appeared to have just suffered a seizure, and Mr. Hammond was making slanderous accusations about her son and family. It is easily understandable that it took her some time to fully comprehend the situation and leave the meeting. My mother has always been wonderful to her children and has always put the welfare of her children first and foremost in her life. Mr. Verndon's comments were untrue and extremely unprofessional --to say the least.

Authored by Slate and Katherine from comments given to us from those who were at the meeting

            If anyone has any comments or questions about this incident, please email me.