B. P.'s Pre-Diagnosis Years

My son, Bronnie Paul Vaughn, was born at the Subic Bay Naval Hospital, Philippine Islands on September 24^th, 1969. I was a Gunners Mate Technician in the US Navy stationed at Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Weapons Department. Please see the Necessary History page.

Twenty-nine years later, while incarcerated at the Potter County, Texas, Detention Center awaiting a probation revocation hearing, he was diagnosed as being Fetal Alcohol Effected. Thanks to my good friend and "one who cares", Dr. Carl Hudson, Borger, Texas, who had pointed me in the right direction, and to respected Amarillo neurologist, Dr. Rush Snyder, for agreeing to an examination. The examination was made possible by court order made possible by a believing attorney Greg Phifer, Amarillo, Texas. This was the last of many such hearings and the one that was surly going to introduce my son to the Texas Department of Corrections. 320th District Court Judge Don Emerson, in a show of judicial wisdom dismissed the D. A.'s probation revocation issue and amended Bronnie's probation, allowing him to move to Phoenix, Arizona. Acceptance in a supervised residential facility there had been arranged prior to the hearing, in the hopes a favorable decision.

Bronnie Paul was labeled as being a disruptive, 5 year old, hyper-active pre-kindergarten student in San Jose, California. His legal, emotional, and social problems, upon reflection, started when he was about 12 years old and continued until he was almost 30. I have raised him, with the help of my parents until their passing, as a single father from the time he was 8 years old. He loved his 'Grandma' and 'Grandad' very much.

BP started having problems in school at age 10, finally dropping out in the 10^th grade and 16 years old.

He started stealing (Now that I know better, I wouldn't use the term stealing. It's much more complicated than that.) from people close to him and that he loved at around 14 or 15 years of age.

Started experimenting with drugs at 13. At 17 entered the revolving doors of private, state, and even a federal pilot program, rehab facilities. Court order rehab programs including SAFPE, a 9 month Texas state program at Texas Department of Corrections minimum security unit. Included a 9 mo. waiting period, served at Potter County, Texas, Detention Center. Total incarceration time 18 months. A 9 month Court ordered S.A.F.P.E. Relapse program preceded by a 6 month wait in the Potter County Detention Center.15 months total jail time.

First felony burglary of a habitation charge at seventeen receiving10 years adjucated felony probation. This charge was for breaking into a family friends home. Even though he never gained entry and the owners of the house did not press charges, the Pampa, Texas police department did. Thanks in part to an overzealous, lower echelon, officer who was later fired for incompetence.

Second felony burglary of a habitation charge at twenty-three resulting in 8 years adjucated probation, to run separately from his other probation. On this charge he did indeed enter an apartment in the complex where we also had an apartment. The irony of this is that he had made a clean getaway but was caught taking the "stuff" back. When I asked him why he was taking it back he replied, "I felt bad about it because I had been in PARC (a now defunct Texas panhandle area rehab facility funded by the panhandle district courts) with their son." Charges pursued by the Amarillo, Texas police department. Both court ordered SAFPE trips resulted from probation revocation hearings for not getting fees paid, not making scheduled meetings, and bad ua's.

I have had an untold amount of cash taken. Guns, jewelry, computers, printers, scanners, TV's a stereo system, and I'm sure other items that I don't even remember have been pawned or sold. Some I was able to buy back from the pawn shops and some I wasn't. I can look back now with humor and think of the printer and scanner that I bought back four times! The $3,000.00 diamond ring that I bought back three times. I had personal checks taken, signed, and cashed to the tune of several thousand dollars. An old account (my fault) checkbook from a business that I owned, and had a partner in, was taken and had $4,500.00 in checks signed and cashed. (I wondered why in the world any parent with good sense would so proudly give their children the same name as theirs!) This same business was broken into and cash was taken, all of which was my responsibility to replace. A car I bought for my son wrecked which created a lawsuit against me. Three personal cars trashed or banged up. Setting up failed attempts at independent living. I don't know how much spent in lawyers fees.

I know that I must sound like I'm whining. Like I'm bitter. Believe me, I'm not! I love my son very much and haven't been through any thing that many, many parents of children with undiagnosed Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects go through. Through it all, I knew in my heart that the problems BP was having was due to something that was beyond his control. Most of the I was the only one in the world that knew this! I just didn't know what or why! From the time he was born to this very day he is the most kind hearted, gentle, and loving person you will ever know. When confronted with any of his actions he has never lied to me! When asked why he had done something the standard answer was "I don't know" or "I don't remember". He wasn't lying then either. For all of the financial cost incurred, the frustration, the heartache, and disappointments that I experienced he was also experiencing frustration, loss of self esteem form a feeling of being a disappointment, heartache, and guilt severe to the point of beginning suicidal tendencies. And he didn't know why either!

His diagnosis turned our life around and an early diagnosis could have spared both of us these hard times. I must say now that by no means was it all bad. Our love prevailed and we had many, very good times that I wouldn't trade, irregardless of the hard times!

I thank God every day that I did know his heart and didn't give up on him, no matter the emotional and financial cost! I also thank God for all of the help and support I received while educating myself on his disability. In particular for my friend, Dr. Carl Hudson, for his support and pointing me in the right direction at the very beginning of my journey. Also the many friends made on the Internet, who had actually lived what I was going through, and for their help and support, most of whom were members of the Internet FAS support mailing list, OlderFas. Of these friends, I am most thankful for having the good fortune to become acquainted with Teresa Kellerman of Tucson, Arizona. Teresa is the founder and director of the FAS Community Resource Center and is probably the one person that helped me the most.

Where's the irony in all of this? When Bronnie Paul was twelve years old I decided to leave the family wholesale fuel business and go into the supper club business. I was in the club and cocktail lounge or other liquor related business's during this entire time period. I will say now, although no longer in the industry, I enjoyed the bar and liquor business, especially meeting and serving the public. I still enjoy an occasional cocktail or an ice cold beer, or a glass of wine.

I now encourage bar owners, as independent business people, to be responsible alcohol servers and to ensure that their bartenders and wait staff are responsible alcohol servers. To exercise their right to refuse service to anyone. "No shoes, no shirt, no service." How about adding "We respectfully refuse service to a visibly pregnant female."? Not out of concern for the pregnant female who makes the choice to be setting on the bar stool, but out of concern and compassion for the unborn child sitting there with her that didn't get to make that choice!

Bronnie B. Vaughn

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