Denise Callahan

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES – Card #1

You call CPS and make a report about the abuse that Dennis suffered. The woman you talk with on the phone asks you a lot of questions and asks you what you were doing while your husband beat your son.

You try to explain what happened, but she interrupts you to tell you that the state might find that you are unfit to take care of your kids because you failed to protect Dennis from getting hurt. She wonders how you are able to take care of 6 children when you are in a wheelchair.

She suggests in an offhand way that you might want to get into counseling or parenting classes. When you get off the phone, you have to fight from yelling or bursting into tears.

What’s next?

If you want to talk with your priest, go to:

CLERGY – Card #2

If you want to talk with a mental health counselor, go to:

MENTAL HEALTH – Card #1