BLINDED IN ONE EYE



I am 33 years old, and was in excellent health until summer 2002, when I started experiencing pain like shards of glass in many of my major joints.  I immediately raised these issues with our health service provider, which refused to do appropriate testing or offer any treatment other than anti-inflammatory drugs.  Even after filing administrative grievances requesting further testing and treatment, the institution and Correctional Medical Services (CMS) refused and ignored my complaints and requests.

On November 14, 2002, I woke up blind in my right eye (a permanent condition, according the to doctors).  That same day I was diagnosed as having pigmentary glaucoma, and Dr. Rangaraj from the Sault Saint Marie International Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center noticed a blood clot behind the right eye.  He suspected a blood condition which could have amplified the effects of glaucoma, which also could be the cause of the extreme joint pain I have been suffering from for over one half a year (and fatigue, dizziness, and headaches).

Dr. Rangaraj ordered blood tests, which after three botched and deficient attempts at drawing blood at this institution, have still not been completed due to "prohibitive costs."  CMS also never forwarded the results to Dr. Rangaraj, making it impossible for him to make an informed diagnosis.  In mid December, a photo exam was taken to determine the blood flow in my eyes, which apparently came back normal, at least normal for eyes with pigmentary glaucoma.  During the follow up exam on January 14, 2003, Dr. Rangaraj prescribed another eye drop to be included with the Timolol Maleate solution I have already been taking, and he recommended that I see a specialist at University of Michigan.  Neither the drops or the further testing has been administered.

I believe that CMS should have tested and treated my possible blood condition in mid 2002, when I complained repeatedly about it, and that this deliberate indifference allowed the blood condition to compound the undiagnosed glaucoma, causing the overnight blindness.  In addition, CMS has still refused to do the appropriate, prescribed testing and treatment (such as fill the Dr.'s prescriptions and see the appropriate specialists), and they are trying to blame the sudden blindness on weightlifting!  Meanwhile, I still have severe joint pain, to the extent that I often cannot close my hands or contract my biceps, and wonder each morning if I'll wake up completely blind.

I am writing to ask for your help in investigating this situation and influencing CMS to administer proper testing and care in this situation.  If I do have a blood condition as Dr. Rangaraj first suggested on November 14, the doctors can prevent the other eye from going blind.  It is possible that glaucoma caused the sudden onset blindness, but that is an extremely rare occurrence in an extremely rare disease.  It is also possible that the joint pain is unrelated form of arthritis, but my young age and the extreme pain of the symptom make this unlikely as well.

CMS currently boasts 330 prison sites and 270,000 prisoners under their care and sells its contracts by providing the cheapest medical care to the state.  This often translates as no medical treatment for people like myself.  CMS currently defends itself against many medical malpractice, deliberate indifference, and wrongful death lawsuits.  For more information about CMS, check out the story "Murder Incorporated: Profits from Privatized Prison health Care" at http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=11870.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my situation, and if you'd like to help, please contact me at email at:

evadidit@chugach.net, or directly at the following mailing address (inquiries about other Michigan prison conditions welcome):

James Blau, #214995
Chippewa Correctional Facility
4269 West M-80
Kincheloe, MI  49784


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