Daynetta's Story
By Richie Plass
I went to the Pine Ridge Reservation to work with a group from Ohio called,
"The Mission of Love Foundation." Their goal on this trip was to build an
addition onto an existing home on the reservation and then build a three bedroom
home at a different location. It was while at the first site that I was introduced
to Daynetta Bald Eagle. As we sat together and she told me her story, I was
more and more amazed at this lady's strength.
On July 13, 1988 Daynetta was walking up to her apartment in Rapid City,
South Dakota when she was attacked by her boyfriend. He shot her in the back
with a .357 Magnum, stabbed her twice and then left her to die. She was rushed
to the hospital where emergency surgery was performed. Her injuries were life
threatening. As a result of the attack, she lost 90% of her right lung, 1/2
of her liver and also sustained damage to her kidney from shrapnel. As of
today, she is still feeling the effects of this attack. She has severe muscular
and nerve damage and is starting to loose the use of her right arm and hand.
All of this after lying in a coma for three weeks following the attack. But
her story does not end here.
As many Indians know, when it comes to getting and receiving medical attention
both on and off the reservation, we run into many barriers. That is now Daynetta's
dilemma. The tribal clinic on Pine Ridge has now told her that there is nothing
further they can do for her. But she is experiencing unthinkable symptoms,
one of which is the "hardware" that was used to put her insides back together
in 1988 is now starting to deteriorate and come apart. Matter of fact, some
of the wires used in the operation is now starting to come through her skin!
So, with the tribal clinic and IHS (Indian Health Service) telling her there
are no more funds or services available to her, she has started to go to doctors
off the reservation. It was while one of these visits when a doctor told
her that the "hardware" (staples, steel wire, etc.) used in the initial operation
should had been removed no longer than eighteen months after that operation!
That means for almost fourteen years this lady has been suffering and walking
around with metal, wire and staples in her body that should not be there.
Several times as we spoke, Daynetta would double over in pain, or excuse
herself to take a walk so she could regain her strength. She told me her and
her husband have been trying everything they can to get the proper medical
attention she needs, but they are continually running out of money. When I
asked her about the tribe and IHS, she repeated their positions. I made some
phone calls to some people I have worked with in the past, and I was given
some ideas. But when I shared one of the with Daynetta, I heard, "The rest
of the story ... "
I was told to have her contact the, "State Crime Victims" program. When
I shared that with Daynetta, she laughed and told me, "I tried that, but
it won't work. You see, the official police report in Rapid City reads that
I tried to commit suicide, so no one will help me." WHAT?!? There's more ...
her boyfriend who did this was white, drunk and from Rapid City, but somehow,
as is usually the case, with her being Indian, that is the official position:
Attempted Suicide! I was amazed. But then again, maybe not. I have seen this
play out many times before. But this one is different. Here is a lady that
now has three little girls (one is five years old, the twin girls are three),
three boys aged 20, 18 and 17 and she needs immediate medical attention,
or she is going to die. But to sit and spend some time with her, she shows
that strength many of our women show; determination, honor and pride. My
only hope is to tell her story and see if someone can come forward with some
ideas and assistance.
In conclusion, here is the recap. An Indian woman gets shot in the back,
stabbed and left for dead by a drunken white man. She recovers, does not receive
proper health care and now is feeling the results. The attacker goes free
because the official response is that this lady shot herself in the back
with a .357, stabbed herself twice and has NO rights! America ... here is
my challenge: how can all our "leaders" in Washington D.C. approve bombing
the hell out of people in foreign lands, then feed them and send then economic
assistance, but turn their backs on the Daynetta Bald Eagles' of our own nation?
My appeal to you is to help Daynetta in any way you can. Of course, maybe
you think nothing like this would ever happen to you and why should you care?
Because this is a Mother, a wife and an American citizen who needs help,
that's why.
This story was sent to the NAAPDC group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naapdc
NAAPDC HOMEPAGE: http://www.geocities.com/naapdc
Native Americans
- Bigotry is still alive
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