LAS Donors Helping Seniors

The last thing Ginny’s father expected to see that terrible spring day was the sight of his mother in the hospital, frail and white as the sheets except for the bruises. The last thing he planned to do that terrible day was sign the order to remove the tubes and machines that were keeping his mother alive.

She was a 79-year old woman who loved to sit on her porch and visit with all the neighbors, young and old, who called her “Granny.” She had been a Navy wife, widowed too early in life, and left to raise four sons, now grown with adult children of their own. She had lived safely in her East Oakland home for over thirty years. Her house was paid for, and she was able to make do with her Social Security checks and meager savings.

Bret is Ginny's cousin and Granny's grandson. He had a difficult childhood, dropped out of school, and lived on the streets before moving into Granny's home. Ginny's father and other family members began receiving calls from Granny asking for money. The family asked if Bret was taking her money, but Granny always protected him, even when her electricity, water and phone were cut off. Bruises were explained by, "...my silly clumsiness." The family tried to protect her, asked her to make Bret leave, asked her to move into their houses. They all suspected what was going on, but she would not budge and continued to protect Bret. The police were called, but insisted they could take no action since Granny appeared to be of sound mind. The family contacted Adult Protective Services, but once again there was nothing they could do since Granny refused to admit to the financial and physical abuse she was suffering at the hands of her grandson.

Ginny's father visited Granny every two weeks. On this visit, Granny did not answer the door, so he went next door to inquire if the neighbors had seen her. They told him she had been taken to the hospital. Bret had told them that someone broke into the house, robbed Granny, and beat her up. He did not bother to notify his cousin or uncles.

The autopsy was inconclusive; the police had no evidence to charge Bret. A grieving family feels they have no real closure and wonders how this could possibly have happened.

After Granny's death, family and friends donated money for a funeral. Ginny and her father decided the best use of the money would be to donate it to an organization that could prevent a tragic outcome for someone else in a similar situation. Online research led to Legal Assistance for Seniors and our Elder Abuse Program. Ginny walked into the LAS offices one day in May and made a contribution.

To Ginny and her family: We are so sorry for your loss. We promise this money has been well spent ending abusive situations for other people much like your Grandmother. Thank you for the kind donation and for agreeing to share your story. You give us a renewed commitment to the work we do.