Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 August 1997 — Page 4

PAGE A4

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9,1087

LEAD

ConthMMdfcQm At

tacted the Marion County Department of Health to see what information and heip they could offer. “Basically t can’t be that much help with the situation,” said Tanya Johnson, with, the childhood lead poisoning program of the Marion County Health Department. “ I provided a ‘To Whom It May Concern’ letter suiting Desja needed insurance. I'vte also been calling the Medicaid line to verify their status and see if they've been picked up.” So far, Barnett has yet to receive verification she has been accepted into the Medicaid program. She was dropped from her insurance after she lost her job because of taking her daughter back and forth to the doctor, on company time. But Barnett’s major ftustration isn’t with Methodist or Medicaid. Her major frustration is with Northeast Health Ginic. “I showed the letter written by Tanya at the Health Department to Northeast saying Desja's condition is urgent and still they won’t do anything,” says Barnett. “All Dr. Mohanty says is ‘Desja’s condition isn ’ t that high, she ’ll be OK. ’ She tells me I’m stressed out. Of course. I’m stressed out! My baby is sick!” According to Eubanks’ last blood test, the level of lead in her system was at 34 ug/dl. Barnett says Dr. Mohanty will not admit Eubanks into the hospital until her level of lead reaches 45 ug/dl. “I received a call from Northeast and they said Desja’s level of poisoning has went down to 26,” Barnett said. “How can that be? We haven’t been there in two months. We’renotscheduledtogo back until this Thursday.” When The Indianapolis Recorder contacted the Northeast Health Clinic in regards to Desja

Eubanks’ blood tests a male employee answered the telephone but refused to give his name or even acknowledge Desja Eubanks is a patient with the clinic. Several attempts were also made by The Recorder to speak with Dr. Mohanty, but to no avail. “That is how they act with me,” Barnett says. “Everytime I call them to ask questions they tell me they will get back to me but I never hear from them.” Barnett says Northeast’s lack of communication is what is really bothering her. “It seems all they do is take blood from her and tell me the poisoning is going down.” Barnett says. Barnett says she will take her daughter to the appointment Thursday at Northeast and intends to speak to a knowledgeable doctor about her child’s condition. She also plans to contact the Pediatric Care Center at Methodist Hospital to get a second opinion for her child. Effects of lead poisoning: Lynne Lynch, childhood lead program manager at the Marion County Health Department, says often times people will not know they have lead poisoning unless they are tested. If a child is exposed to lead poisoning for a prolonged period of time it can cause irreversible brain damage,'* Lynch said. The Marion County Health Department conducts lead screenings everyday. Most offices accept walk-ins.

found: “Most lead poisoning comes from paint chips or peeling paint,** says. Lynch. It can sometimes be found in dust in the home or soil. It’s even possible that it can be found in water but that is very unlikely.'’

WESCO Continued from A1

tive Organization and the Indianapolis Urban League, held its first WESCO Dads Youth Summit. The summit gathered city officials and approximately 100 young men, ranging in ages from 9 to 18, to the Christamore House for this first-of-its-kind event. The idea, according to Tate, came from a recent national summit where he met with MAD DADS representatives to determine what would be most effective for youth in Indianapo-

lis.

“We want to reinforce a positive male presence in our kids,” said Tate, who is also the WESCO Dads chairman. “We want to make sure they know we’re touchable. We want them to know that after this summit, we’ll be here. It’s not

just a one time thing.”

The summit, which consisted of three conferences, combined the youth into the various groups, but not the same ages. It also provided attendees with a meal fit for a king but, unlike most summits of this type, all resources were pulled from within the community. “We felt we could localize this summit,” said Tyrone Chandler, who represents WESCO Dads and Weed and Seed. “We feel we have some of the expertise hoe. It's our turn to woric on the problem.” For the men of WESCO Dads,. the summit served a greater purpose than just to bring kids off the streets. It represents the dedication of the male with his community, something that has been sorely missed, as they point out. “It’s time that we males focus on these young people,” said Chandler. “We have let the women ran these neighborhood organizations for so long without any help. But, anyone who lives in the inner city

has the same problems.”

Olgen Williams, chairman of the Wests ide Cooperative Organization and executive director of Christamore House, believes die neighborhood, which encom-

passesHau^vilkandHastitorne^ n

gets a bad rap in the press. Actually, he said the neighborhood

“There is a variety of people here j in this neighborhood. Our community is a good one and we’re lead-

ing by example.”

Ultimately, the group plans to conduct four more seminars with at least one being a city wide event. For now, however, reaching westside youth is their mission. Tim Williams is a 14-year-old who, if not attending the conference, admits he would probably be asleep. But on Saturday however,

he and his buddies were present, |

connecting with potential mentors and meeting other new friends, both Black and white. To Williams, seeing fathers taking charge of young men’s destinies is something he and his clique have missed. “I like what they’re doing here/ Williams added. “I’m glad they had it and I’m enjoying it. I’m

learning how to control my temper I and treat women with respect. This |

is good.”

What’s better is that, on this day, the WESCO Dads and community members knew exactly what their sons were doing. For additional information on future events, call Tyrone Chan-

dler, Indianapolis Weed and Seed |

at 327-7901.

keeps getting better as these type

of events increase.

“Hau^iville is where something good is happening. We are not trying to save the world, just the neighborhood,” Williams said.

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