x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Tue, 1 Mar 2016 13:45:20 -0500 thread-index: AdFz6oGV9hffXrgqTeiXo1oXNKVb6g== Thread-Topic: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency From: To: Subject: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2016 13:45:20 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 01 Mar 2016 18:45:20.0625 (UTC) FILETIME=[81B6FE10:01D173EA] WORKFLOW 344 Mr. Paul J. Blanchard 135 Pat Rd. Lexington SC 29073 pblanchard53@yahoo.com 8033182814 8033182814 Dear Governor Haley, I write to you for help based on your stated concerns regarding veterans' issues and mental health issues. My wife is a fully disabled veteran suffering from severe service related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD). Last year a poultry farm permit application was applied for in our area. As you know, this process is handled by SCDHEC. As part of this process a public hearing was conducted by SCDHEC. At this hearing area property owners were provided detailed information about the permit application, the SCDHEC process for reviewing the application and also allowed an opportunity to voice their concerns. Many of the concerns aired by area residents dealt with health concerns for existing conditions that might be adversely affected by this operation. In response, at the meeting, SCDHEC provided forms for submitting health concerns and supporting documentation from a qualified health professional treating the person. At no time, either in correspondence from SCDHEC or at the public hearing SCDHEC held, was a physical health only prevision stated. My wife submitted this form along with supporting documentation from a Veteran's Administration doctor. The doctor at that time stated how the proposed chicken farm would adversely affect my wife's condition. On the 26th of last month we received a correspondence from SCDHEC stating that the permit proposal was approved pending any requests for final review. On the 27th, we received a separate correspondence regarding the review by SCDHEC of my wife's health issues. It stated "Dr. Linda Bell states the following: "Ms. Locklear has reported post-traumatic stress disorder, but there is not documentation of chronic respiratory, cardiac or allergic conditions that are expected to be exacerbated by a poultry facility at a distance of .4 miles from her residence with the appropriate placement of exhaust fans and a vegetative buffer." To the best of my knowledge, Dr. Linda Bell is an epidemiologist with no training or expertise in regard to mental health. From all appearances, it seems that my wife's mental health issues were not given any consideration. There was no mention of a review by a qualified mental health professional or even the mention of any type of consultation with a qualified mental health professional by Dr. Bell. The World Health Organization defines "health" as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". (The correct bibliographic citation for the definition is: Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. The Definition has not been amended since 1948.) Based on this widely accepted definition of "health", I believe SCDHEC discriminated against my wife by refusing to give my wife's mental health issue fair consideration or proper review. Indirectly, as with all citizens of this state and country, the people at SCDHEC making these decisions depended on my wife's military service, along with the service of all military personnel, to protect them. When it came time for my wife to trust that she would be protected by SCDHEC in regard to this matter, her mental health issues were not even given consideration. By not giving my wife's mental health issues consideration, SCDHEC ultimately removed the protection all citizens of this state should be afforded in regard to these matters. Any help you or your office can offer my wife in regard to this matter would be greatly appreciated and we appreciate the fact that your office offers us an opportunity to address this matter to you. Thank you. Sincerely, Paul J. Blanchard (on behalf of Shirley B. Locklear) 166.170.56.85