That is appalling, is there a social worker assigned to Joel's mother (sounds the type that would have one) maybe go that way. Very sad situation, when he's trying to keep his son out of a scenario when all the kids could end up in care, and the older boys go down the wrong path due to their mother's inability to care for them. Must cost thousands to take kids into care etc. would save them a fortune if they helped at an early stage of the problem

Lynn, excuse my language but i am bloody furious on your behalf!!! often there are children who are let down by their parents and when somebody is desperatley trying to give their child the best start they possibly can and they are getting nowhere fast...absolutely terrible.
TW, nice of you to share the bones out...wonder has he got his puppy yet Lol
popped to town to get some bits and pieces and as i went to get the bus i ran into steve, had a chat with him and hung on as he was on our route so he drove me home

Moyra, i agree that Steve should be helping more, i appreciate he has work to go to but he could easily do a bit more to help whilst you are recovering

Not aware of a social worker June she seems to keep herself just beyond that situation.
Mark has said he has a lovely friend cameron whose mum knows his relationship with Donna and has said if he ever needs a break and somewhere to stay for a break he is always welcome. She isn't aware as far as he knows about the hospital situation.
I feel so bloody helpless this is why i shouldn't be living here because if I was like I was round the corner we wouldn't have this situation and worry.
I feel like going to the council and screaming at them they wouldn't help us council tax wise even when they knew we were struggling to pay our mortgage.
They would say can't help that if you don't pay we will take you to court.

Lynn, I think maybe contacting social services and seeing if they can be of any help,usually they are more or less useless, but maybe if she's not on their radar but should be, particularly with the fact there is yet another child on the way that she will be incapable of parenting, going by her past record. If this child does come to term, and is born, is there any chance of it being a very poorly baby as well, not sure what is wrong or why she may lose the poor little mite, but all in all not an ideal for it to be born into if there is something amiss.
You are all wanting to do the best for Joel here and get him out of this place he is in

I tried social services when Joel first started school and his attendance then was erratic we also saw Jordan then too they didn't want to know even though she had been on their radar big time for abandoning Jordan before Joel was born at her mums. Plus the drug and alcohol abuse.
Things have got even more lax since then I really do not think they will do anything. I still have the nspcc in reserve but unless Mark gives his consent re: Joel my hands are tied. His worry is he will be taken into care as he has nowhere of his own to call home.
I can understand his worries on that score.
Will have to see how things go for the time Mark is here and for the couple of weeks Joel will be here.
Honestly I look after my dogs better as do many others.

Heartbreaking for you Lynn, at least he's got his dad, you and Gorden and the whole of your side of the family plus friends all in there batting for him.

Yes some don't even have that and that's so sad.

it must be infuriating Lynn, as you say, at least Joel has people looking out for him...feel for all those children who have nobody fighting their corner
Hoping LG is doing o.k and giving the medics hell Lol

I bet he's not the easiest of patients. Maybe he's home now and the Mem is seeing to him,hoping he's OK
I tell you, Zen is lucky to be still living tonight, I wanted to strangle her. I was trying to watch Holby and she kept sitting at the back door, barking. Each time I have to get up to see whats going on, each time she wanted to go in the big house with me to escort her. Then I heard a massive squabble and I flew out and they took one look at me and vanished. Silence has reigned since.