If you are a guardian
of a family member or think you may become one, I, as a
Fellow Family Guardian, want to urge you to join the National
Guardianship Association (NGA). It costs only $50 per year,
and what you get is well worth it.
Family Guardians receive all the resources
from NGA that professional guardians pay $170 more for:
a information-packed quarterly newsletter, reduced fees
for an annual conference which provides a unique opportunity
to network with other family and professional guardians
and to learn about cutting edge issues in the world of
guardianship, membership on the only list-serve where
guardianship issues are discussed and you are encouraged
to ask questions, and the ethics hot-line where you can
bring challenges or issues to professionals who will
help you. |
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Being a guardian is not like being a parent. And,
the differences are subtle and very important for you to understand.
More often than not, your job is to be a partner
with your family member (ward) to figure out what he or she wants
to achieve and then to be an advocate to reach those goals. It
is a huge responsibility. You must be as well informed as doctors,
social security personnel, residential service providers, social
workers, lawyers, and judges about your ward's conditions, responsibilities,
and rights. Sometimes, you will even need to challenge the opinions
of the experts to best serve your ward.
If you don't know the difference between “best
interest” and “substituted judgment” then you
need to join NGA. If you do know the difference, then you know
you need to join because you know the issues can be so vastly
complex, that you will sometimes need to discuss your choices
or decisions with others who truly understand the situation you
are in. And, you can do that as a member. The support network,
alone, is an invaluable benefit. You will never be alone in making
these most important decisions.
Become a member for a year and try us out. You
will not regret it.
Patricia Shillingburg, a Family Guardian
NGA Board Member 1995 to 2003
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