Donna and Diane grew up in East Tennessee as two of six siblings. Growing up, Donna recalled that Diane was a kid who loved the outdoors and was an overall pleasant person. As adults, Donna has had to be Diane’s caregiver for the past 27 years. Diane struggles with severe mental illness and progressive mobility issues. She needs assistance with maintenance, housing, medications, and self-care. Eventually her needs became so great that she had to live in nursing facilities. Donna states that even with the help of nursing facilities and hospitals, Diane has trouble caring for herself and struggles greatly with the paranoia of those around her.
Recently, Diane had been living in different nursing homes close to Donna in Blount County, Tennessee. Diana lived safely in nursing homes because she was on TennCare's CHOICES program, which helps pay for nursing home coverage. But in the hospital, Diane was re-evaluated for her TennCare CHOICES coverage. The assessor claimed she could take care of herself and did not need the help of a nursing home. This ended TennCare’s obligation to cover the services for Diane and abruptly left Donna to be Diane's only caregiver.
The hospital forced Donna to take her sister home with no help. Diane struggled with paranoia the entire ride home, could scarcely get into Donna’s home, even falling as she got out of the car and unable to get up for some time. Things did not get better once Diane was home with Donna.
Donna had to call 911 multiple times in the coming weeks to help Diane with her mobility problems, incontinence, and other issues. Diane had to be set up in Donna’s dining room, moving only to clean herself, using the kitchen sink, or to try to make it to the restroom, often unable to. All the while, Donna is trying to move and is dealing with medical issues of her own. One thing is clear to Donna, she is not equipped to handle the needs of her sister on her own and Diane desperately needs TennCare and nursing home assistance for her well-being.
Diane is now back in a nursing home and Donna is working to get her sister back on the TennCare CHOICES program. Donna was told to get an attorney but could not afford one; this led her to the Tennessee Justice Center. With the help of TJC, other dedicated organizations, and Donna’s incredible heart for advocacy, they were able to get her sister back into a facility while an appeal with TennCare is pending. TJC and Donna are continuing to fight for Diane as the process continues.
Diane now always asks Donna, “what is going to happen to me?” But Donna doesn’t know. Donna’s dream is for Diane to receive care in her own home, so Diane can live independently. Donna says she would love to just see Diane happy in her life. Donna continues to advocate for her sister because no one should have to struggle alone.