Update on Stephen and the Quest for FMLA (Family Leave)

On October 4, 2015October 6, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Family Leave, FMLA, Guardianship, Lawyer, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Union54 Comments

Many of you will remember my previous post A Greater Love where I shared an article the New York Times did on my brother Stephen and me. (See Below Links) The article discussed my difficulties in getting time off from my job to care for Stephen who has Autism.

Last year I had applied for FMLA (Family Leave) and was denied. Since I am a Union Member (DC 37) I have been in close contact with my Union Reps to resolve this situation. On Monday September 28th there was a special union meeting where one of the DC 37 Counsel came to discuss our rights under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). During the question and answer period I shared my situation regarding my brother Stephen and later spoke to the Counsel privately. He advised me to go to court and apply for Legal Guardianship over Stephen. Guardianship would give me the same rights as a parent and my workplace would be forced to grant me FMLA.

I am now in the process of researching and seeking out a Guardianship lawyer. My union does not offer that. They only have Labor Lawyers but they have promised to put me in contact with a Guardianship Lawyer. Thank God for DC 37 and Unions. Naturally I’m doing my own searches and asking around. Hopefully since I don’t make much money maybe someone will take my case pro bono or for a reduced fee. Just in case I’ve been doing lots and lots of overtime in order to pay legal expenses. Yes my feet, knees and back are killing me and I’m experiencing lots of physical pain but I would do anything, make any sacrifice, take any risk to be able to care for my brother in a proper manner. If you really Love someone you would give your life for them so their life could be better. This is why I have not posted recently and more or less put my poetry on the back burner. Stephen will always come first and I’m willing to put aside my wants, dreams and desires so that he can have a happy and fulfilling life.

A Greater Love

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

So far Legal Aid, Brooklyn Bar Association and Brooklyn Legal Services have all been a dead end for me. None of them do Guardianship cases. Therefore I must appeal for donations. Please donate to help me obtain guardianship for Stephen and the right to FMLA via my PayPal account at deborah.palmer280@gmail.com

Thank you and God Bless.

Stephen Vincent Palmer ~ QCP Christmas Party 2013

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2015 WEEK #37

On September 14, 2015September 15, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Blog of a Mad Black Woman, chroniclesofanoptimist, Kamal Bennani Photography, Katzenworld, SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2015 WEEK #37, She is Terri Linton, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Teagan's Books9 Comments

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/09/14/share-your-world-2015-week-37/

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2015 WEEK #37

Marymount Manhattan College 2002 Graduation photo

If you could have three wishes granted for you alone, what would they be?

Extended continual good health.
Financially free & Independent with all bills fully paid.
Unlimited time with my brother Stephen who has Autism.

What is the most incredible natural venue that you’ve ever seen in person?

The Grand Canyon. Incredible & Amazing!

Is your hair short (total neck and ear showing), medium (covering ears and neck), long (below shoulders) or extra long (at least halfway down your back)?

I currently wear my hair in a medium Afro which is getting longer but Afros tend to grow out and upward, however if my hair got long and heavy enough it would go past my shoulders. Gravity. The longest my hair has been was when I wore it in dred locs, then it went down past my butt. I could actually sit on my hair.

I’ve had people tell me I look like Whoopie Goldberg. I saw her in person and I do not look like her. One of my co-workers said my wild woolly mane makes me look like the singer Macy Gray. Now if only I had the money of all these Black women entertainers I’m supposed to resemble I’d be a very rich woman.

List some of your favorite blogs.

Cee’s Oddball Photo Challenge

Cee’s Share Your World

Mum C writes ~~ Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia

http://amoafowaa.com/2015/09/14/the-strong-tower/

Teagan’s Books

https://teagansbooks.wordpress.com/2015/09/05/copper-the-alchemist-the-woman-in-trousers-episode-31/

Kamal Bennani Photography

The small Picardian village

Blog of a Mad Black Woman

http://blogofamadblackwoman.com/2015/09/14/positive-quote-of-the-day-september-14th-2/

Katzenworld

Cat Travel: Neko Maru Cat Cafe – 猫まるカフェ Ueno Part 1

mikesteeden

A TIDAL WAVE OF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL DELUSIONS

She is Terri Linton

http://sheisterrilinton.com/2015/09/04/for-my-baby-girl/

chroniclesofanoptimist

Believe it…take it

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful that I got over my cold quickly and was able to continue with my walking/hiking exercises around New York City. I’m also very grateful to be on Vacation and to be able to visit other museums in New York and that on this upcoming Thursday I will see and spend time with my brother Stephen! Booyah!!

The Kindness of Strangers

On July 1, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Caregivers bill, Family Medical Leave, Hakeem Jeffries, RACHEL L. SWARNS, Stephen Vincent Palmer, The Kindness of Strangers, The New York Times1 Comment

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Kindness of Strangers.”

The Kindness of Strangers

When was the last time a stranger did something particularly kind, generous, or selfless for you? Tell us what happened!

When the New York Times did an article on my brother Stephen who has Autism and me. We received an overwhelmingly positive response and several people actually sent donations to help us out. Some funds came via PayPal and some via the New York Times reporter who sent the check to my home. I was very touched and moved by their kindness. Lord knows I needed the money. Even though I work hours and hours of overtime living in an expensive city like New York can quickly and easily drain one’s finances. I’m still very grateful for all the monetary gifts. It has been a real struggle for me to make ends meet and do those little extras that my brother Stephen enjoys.

I also appreciate the opportunity to share my story with others who will spread the word and help get the Family Medical Leave Law changed to include siblings and be Paid time off. A couple of Saturdays ago I met with my Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and gave him a copy of the article. Exposure is the key to changing the laws to not only help me and Stephen but for all people with developmentally disabled siblings. Please support PAID Family Leave that includes siblings and if you are in New York city the Caregivers Bill currently before the City Council. Thank you and God Bless.
http://nyti.ms/1BktTeP

Blogger With a Cause ~~ The Daily Post

On June 27, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Blogger With a Cause, Photography, retirement, Stephen Vincent Palmer, The Daily Post

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Blogger With a Cause.”

If your day to day responsibilities were taken care of and you could throw yourself completely behind a cause, what would it be?

I am already an Autism Advocate for my brother Stephen. See link for New York Times article
http://nyti.ms/1BktTeP

However if I was financially free, independently wealthy with no other pressing responsibilities like my 9-5 I would devote myself completely and totally to Autism Activism.

In 2013 my brother and I went up to Albany to protest harmful budget cuts for New York State developmentally disabled adults. See the following links:

https://dancingpalmtrees.com/2013/03/16/we-are-the-6/

Occupy Until I Return — The 6% and the 99% Join Forces

I would also develop a photography arts program for intellectually challenged adults. My brother Stephen enjoys taking photos and I’m sure other adults with Autism also have a talent and gift for taking photos. All they need is an opportunity and a sponsor.

Stephen Vincent Palmer ~ The Man. The Myth and The Legend!!

As I get closer to retirement expanding my support of people with developmental disabilities is high on my list of goals. Giving a voice to those who have no voice gives my life purpose and meaning.

Share Your World ~~ 2015 Week #25

On June 22, 2015June 22, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Augusta Savage, Brooklyn Cyclones, Collages, Hals and Jan Steen, Impressionists, Jacob Lawrence, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kara Walker, Kehinde Wiley, Photo Collages, Post Impressionists, Realism, Rembrandt, Romare Bearden, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Surrealists, Vermeer7 Comments

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2015 WEEK #25

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/06/22/share-your-world-2015-week-25/#like-10575

What did you or did not like about the first apartment you ever rented?

I Loved my apartment because it was all mine and I was partial to the smooth shiny wood floors which I slide back and forth on just for fun! Indoor skating. I also loved the large rooms and proximity to goods, services & amenities.

What kind of art is your favorite? Why?

Personally my favorite type of art to create are collages. I Love creating collages. I can’t draw a straight line but I enjoy viewing the Old Masters Paintings like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Jan Steen. The Dutch Masters are some of my favorites. I also Love 19th Century Art including the Impressionists, Post Impressionists, Realism, Surrealists, etc… I also Love African American artists like Kara Walker, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Augusta Savage, Jacob Lawrence, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Faith Ringgold, Horace Pippin, Romare Bearden and Kehinde Wiley. One of my goals is to visit art museums in England, Italy, France and Spain. I’m also an amateur photographer. Sometimes in my imagination I see myself as the next Romare Bearden or Jean-Michel Basquiat. I created a well received family photo collage for an employee art exhibit a few years ago. In March I made more collages which I plan to put together hopefully to be displayed in a small exhibit. I have big dreams.

How many siblings do you have? What’s your birth order?

I only have one sibling my brother Stephen. http://nyti.ms/1BktTeP I am the oldest by two years.

Complete this sentence: I’m dreaming of a white …. (and no you can’t use Christmas as your answer)

I’m Dreaming of a White Sandy Beach on a Sun swept Caribbean Island.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful that last weekend I was able to spend time with my brother Stephen seeing Jurassic World movie and going to see the Basquiat Special Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. My brother Stephen has Autism but has a wide variety of interests that include movies, art, sports, theater, etc.. My hope, prayer and goal is to spend more time with Stephen this summer and fall having fun. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/basquiat_notebooks/

Tamra Davis (American, b. 1962). Still from A Conversation with Basquiat, 2006. 23 min., 22 sec. © Tamra Davis. Courtesy of the artist. By permission of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, all rights reserved. Photo: Jonathan Dorado, Brooklyn Museum

I plan on going back to the Brooklyn Museum Basquiat special exhibit before it ends in August and I hope to take my brother to see the Brooklyn Cyclones (minor league baseball team) sometime this summer. http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/home/#homegraph_663