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Sadiatou

Photo by Jennifer Tlumak

Binta, like her ancestor Kunta Kinte of Roots fame, has overcome many obstacles in her life.  Now she and her mother, Sadiatou, are facing their greatest battle as they struggle to get care for Binta, who has special health care needs.

Sadiatou arrived in the United States from her native Gambia in 1990 with the assistance of Alex Haley, the author of Roots.  In July 1995, the mother of two healthy boys gave birth to her daughter, Binta, a medically fragile baby.  Binta, now age 11, requires total care.  She is blind.  She cannot walk.  She cannot talk.  She suffers five or more seizures each day.  The child’s doctors have prescribed home nursing services for her. 

However, even though Binta is in the TennCare program, it has been a constant struggle to make certain that she receives the medically necessary nursing and personal care services that she requires.  Her mother has fought for years to make certain that her daughter receives the care that she needs.

Then in 2006, faced with yet another problem in obtaining care for her child, Sadiatou contacted the Tennessee Justice Center. With the help of a TJC attorney, Binta is now receiving the care that her doctors have prescribed for her.

“It has been hard, but I keep going for Binta and for other children who need help.  I thank TJC for all that they've done for my daughter, from the bottom of my heart!” said Sadiatou.  

The devotion and persistence of this mother have been noticed.  While caring for Binta, Sadiatou has held a full time job to support her family and attended Pellissippi State College.  Pellissippi State recognized her with the Rosa J. Davis Award, “given to a black graduate who has overcome extraordinary barriers in persisting to graduation.”

In January, when TennCare changed the rules under which families can get home health services, Sadiatou spoke out.  Her story was featured in the Tennessean.  She put a human face on the short sighted policy that would mean devastation for not only her family, but for hundreds of families across the state.  She said the policy was wrong and it had to change.  It hasn’t changed yet, but Sadiatou will keep fighting for Binta and other TennCare children.  Sadiatou shares her family’s story so that the 670,000 children on TennCare can benefit from lessons learned and victories won in her struggle to provide her child with necessary care.

Read about other opposition to Tennessee's health care policies.

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