Brooke's Den About Us Page

Brooke Jennings writes with a compelling realism that demands change. This heart-rending account compels the reader to turn on the light of truth and watch the culprits scatter like the scavengers’ they are. Jennings, through Michael’s horrendous ordeal, gives voice at last to those who have had no one to speak for them.
Amy Stark, M.E.D.

Living in a Place Called Beautiful is one of the most heartfelt books that I have read in a long time. Brooke Jennings is a warmhearted humanitarian who demonstrates a true love for her fellow man and gives a strong voice to the rights of anyone disabled from birth or whose life has been changed by an unexpected injury. Through her book, she gives practical advice to everyone about what to avoid before subjecting our loved ones to substandard care in nursing homes and other medical institutions. This book is a necessary read before making any decision concerning long-term care for your family members.
Mary Wright B.S. L.A.S.

This compelling and at times heartbreaking story tells of Brooke Jennings’ attempts to care for and protect her handicapped son. Sadly, she was unable to save him from the very people we believe we can depend on in the circumstances she describes. Living in a Place Called Beautiful; Abuse and Neglect by Healthcare, is not only a tribute to a beloved son, but a guide for readers who might be seeking long-term care for family members in nursing homes and other institutions. This is not an easy book to read emotionally, but it just might provide you with important information you will not find elsewhere.
Sue Hart, Professor of English

Nothing can be more heartbreaking than the death of a child, or having to write the eulogy for a loved one. But somehow in 1995, following the death of Michael, our family gathered our thoughts and tried to give him the best tribute we could find. He was 19, and the latest victim of a system we call healthcare. Drowned in his bed from a feeding tube error, the nursing facility responsible for his death cited "a third party" as the cause of his demise. The Faith Foundation (fighting abuse in today's healthcare), was founded in 2006 for the purpose of educating the public about medical neglect and caregiver abuse.

Power and greed has quickly taken over as our government offers employee incentives to employers willing to hire ex-felons enrolled in their second chance release programs. Persons with alcohol and drug histories have found a new home by flooding healthcare's gates and becoming CNAs, medical assistants, and x-ray tech's. This makes it virtually impossible to know who is watching over your family members.

Nursing home theft is quickly becoming a growing concern across the country today as underpaid employees continue to steal items of clothing, jewelry, and other items of value. Many times, patients that live in these types of facilities are so cognitively impaired and physically challenged they forget what belongings are theirs. This opens the way for their possessions to become available to the thieves taking them.

In 1996, the Knight -Tribune News Service reported, "Thieves often use Vaseline to ease off wedding rings off the hands of sleeping patients." One case cited an eighty-six year old woman who awoke inconsolable when she discovered that her fingers had been striped of her last two mementos: A diamond ring inherited from her mother and an engagement ring her husband slipped on her finger during a romantic canoe ride. She was heartbroken!