Story Collection - Elder Justice Coalition

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Contact information:	Please tell us who you are and give us a way to contact you. We will not share your information.
Date Created	November 13, 2022
First Name	Liza
Email OR Phone Number	Lhicks0707@gmail.com 773.425.8487
Zip Code (we want to match where you live with your members of Congress)	60616
Tell us a little about yourself or your loved one:
Q1: What was your situation when you or your loved one first started experiencing elder abuse, neglect, and/or fraud? (What was your/their living situation like, were you/they struggling with any health issues, etc.?)	My elderly friend, went to visit her daughter in Seattle, WA from Chicago in July of 2016 and never returned as she was promised. Her daughter manipulated her in to staying because the daughter was being sued at the time for her home with former deceased husband by his family members.
Q3: What do you wish people knew about elder abuse, neglect, and fraud?	My dear elderly friend, who's been a friend of my family for 80 years isn't being treated with respect, dignity and honor at the golden age of 98. She's been deliberately deprived of her cell phone so I have no way of knowing her current status. To say the least, I'm heart broken and want to shine a light on this elderly injustice. The last time I saw here was June 24,2022 and she had poor hygiene, open untreated wounds on her lower extremities and her feet was riddled with fungus. I have pictures to prove it and have shared them with DSHS/APS. The perpetrators is her daughter a performing Arts teacher at an elite private high school in Seattle and son-in-law who is medical doctor affiliated with a top hospital. I filed a complaint on June 23, 2022 with DSHS/APS and have been in touch with the investigator but given almost nothing regarding her status except the case is still active. The last time I spoke with my elderly friend, she begged her caretaker to call me and ask me to return to Seattle because after deep thought the only thing she could do is leave the house. I've reached out to her daughter and son-in-law asking if I can talk to her or come to see her and they sent me a text message describing criminal trespassing. I recently visited Seattle 11/01/2022 and was denied the right to talk or visit with her despite her telling SPD she wanted to see me. I feel powerless, when challenging a physician and feel justice will not be served because of his title. Death is the last thing we do in life and should be done gracefully. Thank you for reading my message. #seniorsmatter
Q4: What are your hopes for the future?	That it could happen to anyone, no matter their financial situation, education level, living arrangements (nursing home or family home).
Can our staff follow up with you about your story?	Yes
Are you interested in sharing your story further? (We can contact you about speaking with local media, elected officials, or recording your story for a video or podcast)	Yes
Can we use your name in telling your story?	Yes
Is there anything else you would like to add?	Yes, I have many pictures, audio recordings, text messages and written documents to share.