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Enter Middleton resident Maureen Smith.
"They denied him in this particular instance because they felt he would not benefit from that intense level of rehabilitation," said Smith, the director of consumer relations for the Office of the Health Care Advocate. "He was not meeting their criteria."
Smith, whose job involves assisting consumers when denied access to treatment or reimbursement by their health care plan, began fighting for Shawn.
"He deserved every opportunity to get back to the highest level of functioning he could," she said.
Because of Smith's work, Shawn was approved to stay at Gaylord for four months of intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy and his insurance company agreed to pay half of a million dollars in medical expenses.
Now he is home and being a daddy, Smith said.
"He's getting a few therapies but he's beginning to get back into the community," she said. "The hope is that he might get back to work."
Smith's hard work was recognized with a Governor's Service Award Aug. 8 at the state capitol. Gov. M. Jodi Rell presented 40 state employees from various agencies with the honor, thanking them for their distinguished public service.
"Public service may not be glamorous, but it's a truly noble calling," Rell said in a statement.
Shawn's mom, Patsy, nominated Smith for the award, calling her an "unsung hero."
"It is impossible to imagine how our family would have endured this ordeal without her help and assistance," she wrote in her nomination letter. Connecticut citizens are very fortunate to have the Office of the Healthcare Advocate as a resource during such difficult times and especially the dedicated advocacy services of an employee like Maureen Smith."
The OHA, an independent state agency, assists consumers with health insurance issues. In 2007, OHA assisted almost 2,000 citizens and saved or recovered $4.4 million for consumers. Smith, who has lived in Middletown for more than 30 years, has worked for OHA since it opened in 2001.
"She really is the epitome of community service," said State Healthcare Advocate Kevin Lembo, who runs OHA. "She works tirelessly. Frankly, if I was having a problem, I'd go to Maureen."
Several employees of Middlesex Community College were also among the 40 recipients of the Governor's Service Awards on Aug. 8: Michael Amouzou, associate director of financial aid; Lauren Katusha, admissions office secretary; Darryl Reome, associate director of admissions; and Lora Wymer, financial aid office secretary.
Jennifer Sprague can be reached at jsprague@middletownpress.com or by calling (860) 347-3331, ext. 222.
