2010.05.26 ~ Hank & Lisa= Unscripted reality show

[Emeralgem]

There is a saying that adversity introduces a man to himself. For some, the moment occurs on the deathbed. For others, it comes mid-life when an individual faces another kind of death. It's the height of self-awareness and brutal honesty with oneself. A spiritual process, excruciatingly painful but ultimately enriching. That is where Hank is now. We hear it in his words and see it in his face. Who the he!! am I to kick a man as he struggles with his self-reckoning?

O/T And IF I am not mistaken some refer to that spiritual process as The Dark Night Of The Soul..

Hopefully, Hank will survive it.. I have heard him express his doubts..JMO

 

[akashana]

There is a saying that adversity introduces a man to himself. For some, the moment occurs on the deathbed. For others, it comes mid-life when an individual faces another kind of death. It's the height of self-awareness and brutal honesty with oneself. A spiritual process, excruciatingly painful but ultimately enriching. That is where Hank is now. We hear it in his words and see it in his face. Who the he!! am I to kick a man as he struggles with his self-reckoning?

MY BOLD

Eloquent. Beautiful. True.

 

[txsvicki]

I wouldn't dream of giving those people any of my money. Hank, when he does work and just because he's a man, can make more money than I'm capable of finding at my age. Lisa, she stole a shopper's purse and stole from a blind man WITH her son (alledgedly). That woman can get off dope, if she's really an addict, and get a job. I don't know these people from jack and have no idea what went on in their family all these years or what they are really like. I'm even suspicious that Hank was giving info back and forth so that a story could be made up about Joe. Haleigh is the one to feel sorry for. Hank, Lisa should be left alone though, to either get on disability, go into treatment, work out their problems, etc.. No way do I believe that no one will hire them either, and I read somewhere that Hank had gotten on disability. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

[dodie20]

IMO - Profited - They got a car which they have run to the ground... phones .... which since they are involved in drugs they have been allegedly robbed.... IMO these folks sould win the lottery and in 6 months would be right back where they are today. Sorry to be so crude but reality is reality. Seriously, I am sure someone has sent them money.... and believe me that money goes to drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.. it goes really fast ....

It really would be nice to give these folks the benefit of the doubt but go ahead and do one of the following ...

Send them some money or if you live close give hank a dry wall job and give Lisa a cleaning job... Bets are they would not show up, not show up on time, steal something from you (past), or be so messed up do a terrible job all together and than when you paid them the money would go to the above.

Again, sorry to be the dose of reality and this is all in my humble opinion!

Curious G

I have actually considered sending them money, & if I lived there & ran a business, I'd give Hank A job, (sorry, but Lisa's a different story...not so sure about her). But I would not go knocking on his door with an offer. He'd have to ask. & even if I didn't need help, I'd find something for him to do. wash dishes, clean parking lot, etc...& I know that I'm not that different from most people. Somebody would give him a chance. That whole area can't despise him. I would imagine some of that is saved for the Cumming's side. My problem with Hank doesn't have much to do with his legal troubles, addictions, etc...it's about his parenting of Misty & Tommy, his enabling of Lisa, & his not getting the truth from his kids. For whatever reason, I've just about given up on Lisa helping, but Hank can do more. & I do worry about his mental & emotional health. He can't go on like this, because it's gonna kill him. Him not wanting to venture out, & laying around thinking all of the time, is just making his situation worse. I wish he'd check himself into a hospital for depression, & from there, go to rehab. It seems like a government mental health agency, could set up a visit, counsel him, & help him. I don't see how a professional cold listen to those tapes or read his interviews, & ignore his distress. But I don't guess he'd want to leave Lisa in this lurch by herself.

 

[lonetraveler]

I too find myself somehow having sympathy for these two, mainly Hank Sr,as he seems to be not as harsh, crazy and/or addicted. But I do realize is he is an addict. But somehow he comes across a more genuine and believable. I believe him when he says things like what was in one of the latest video btwn he and Misty. Misty is talking about some random man that is sending hundreds of dollars to her jail acct and is also sending couple hundred a month to Hank and Lisa(I believe main reason is for Misty to be able to talk to them per paytel mins)but Hank says "he don't want ppl sending him money" he wants to work and make his own money. That if ppl want to help Misty thats fine but don't send him money,send it to Misty. I believe he means this, in that I am sure it is quite inmasculating(ph?) and has taken a toll on his self esteem. I think he does have several pretty major health issues that require surgery(and I believe this is where his addiction stems from)but as far as I can see before the drunk driver accident that Hank was a working manual laborer that did manage to support his (something) family. And most importantly I believe Hank may be the one MOST TRULY CONCERNED FOR THE TRUTH OF HALEIGH TO COME OUT! And yes, partly because of selfish motives(so he can move on somewhat in peace with his life) but I also think he wants it because "that little girl deserves a proper burial"(end quote)... For these reasons I sympathize most with Hank Sr out of the ENTIRE (something) of characters there in Satsuma, FL..
Of course this is just IMHO....

I share your feelings about Hank Sr. It is a fact that he was severely injured in the vehicle accident and I think he is truthful about having a serious back injury. I know all too well how a serious back injury and the pain involved can turn your entire world upside down especially when you realize that you can no longer make a living. Someone with a back injury can not hang drywall. That said, add on having your two children in jail for drug dealing and as possible suspects in the murder of a little girl and I don't know how he goes on day to day. I certainly would not want to be in his shoes, nope! I think the media has had a ball with the Croslin family. Too bad we don't get to hear all that the Cummings side of the family could offer. IMO, Hank Sr. shows genuine concern and sorrow over Haleigh's disappearance and I think that he truly wants her found. JMO, but I think this father has shown more emotion and feelings for Haleigh than any other male involved in this case.

 

[cj1132]

IMO, Hank needs a "hand up" and not a "hand out." I think he's depressed and needs treatment for it. If a person is depressed, he or she is not able to think clearly. He's also very well aware of his shortcomings and if he wasn't, all he'd have to do is listen to the TV or go on the internet to find out and he'd see all kinds of nasty things about him, whether they are true or not. I have SAD, so in the winter months, I start to become depressed unless I use a special lamp I have. If I wasn't using that lamp and I heard and read so many negative things about me, who knows what my response would be. He made a lot of mistakes for sure but I don't think he's evil. I hope I never get to a point where I lose compassion for someone who is down and out. I wish someone would give him a job and see what happens. If he won't take it or won't work, then that's a different story. I'd like to see how he'd deal with an opportunity if it was presented to him. A "hand up" and not a "hand out".

 

[mac66]

This whole family breaks my heart and makes me question our social structure designed to help the needy.. The adults, who aren't even that old, lacking dentures, a child permitted to drop out of school in 6th grade and have the reading and writing

skills, and grammar of a second grader. Didn't any teacher notice that there was nobody that could read to Misty and her brothers? Didn't anybody ever intervene to get that family some assistance?From the sounds of it, they were hungry as children. No child in this rich country should be hungry. Three generations of people with mostly wasted lives. There should have been some net to help them. I don't consider myself a bleeding heart liberal, but this is where I want my tax dollars to go.

 

[4Jacy]

This whole family breaks my heart and makes me question our social structure designed to help the needy.. The adults, who aren't even that old, lacking dentures, a child permitted to drop out of school in 6th grade and have the reading and writing

skills, and grammar of a second grader. Didn't any teacher notice that there was nobody that could read to Misty and her brothers? Didn't anybody ever intervene to get that family some assistance?From the sounds of it, they were hungry as children. No child in this rich country should be hungry. Three generations of people with mostly wasted lives. There should have been some net to help them. I don't consider myself a bleeding heart liberal, but this is where I want my tax dollars to go.

No one that I have ever read has ever said it better or expressed that much sentiment as you. God bless you, you are stop on! Thank you very much.

 

[akashana]

This whole family breaks my heart and makes me question our social structure designed to help the needy.. The adults, who aren't even that old, lacking dentures, a child permitted to drop out of school in 6th grade and have the reading and writing skills, and grammar of a second grader. Didn't any teacher notice that there was nobody that could read to Misty and her brothers? Didn't anybody ever intervene to get that family some assistance?From the sounds of it, they were hungry as children. No child in this rich country should be hungry. Three generations of people with mostly wasted lives. There should have been some net to help them. I don't consider myself a bleeding heart liberal, but this is where I want my tax dollars to go.

You're right. It's much better to build up than to tear down. All of these people fell through the cracks in the system. Sometimes people rise above unfortunate circumstances, and sometimes they don't. When they don't, we see cases like this. All the addiction and poverty and lack of education and opportunity brewed itself into the "perfect storm." And poor little Haleigh paid with her life.

 

[Zoe Bogart]

I find a LOT of fault with the Cummings clan and have voiced as much several times, and can't tell you how high my eyebrows shot up when I read the obituary of Mr. Sykes. You know, the one that essentially calls Ronald, Teresa, and Crystal Cummings brother and sisters! Yes, that's the one. :waitasec: How many times have we criticized RC for his "parenting" skills and his drug use, etc., with two small children in his care?

While I can also be harsh towards the parenting skills and life choices of Hank and Lisa, I do recognize their children are adults, and should be making wise adult choices, which they haven't. Their lack of good behavior is no longer the fault of their parents, but of their own making.

I do question Hank's statement about all three Croslins being fired because of the publicity surrounding Haleigh's disappearance (or whatever he said). I can't see any company doing that to loyal employees without provocation. While Hank's continual sobbing about their woes and blaming others is grating to listen to, he is the ONLY one telling his children to come clean with the whole truth about what happened to Haleigh.

He also stands by Lisa. He hasn't deserted her and seems to be watching out for her, and the family does appear to love each other in their own way, so they must have done something right somewhere along the way.

I do wish he'd take it a few steps more and apply for programs to help their drug addictions, to help him learn to read and write, something he could be doing since he's not working, or could do in the evenings in quiet hours. They need to do something to move themselves into a better realm. They're not getting any younger and their health will probably deteriorate quickly if they just sit around doing nothing. Doing something constructive is far better than wasting away, or worse, getting more and more into a drug-inducted rut. He probably needs to visit his jailhouse kids less. A little tough love can go a long way.

 

[gngr~snap]

I agree with your post...it did get me wondering...

WHY is no one questioning Ronald Cummings upbringing?
How many husbands did RC's mother have?
How many husbands did GMS have?
WHY did GMS take Ronald to raise him as her own? Why did she take her own daughter to court over him (they seem to get along just fine now)?
Why was Ronald names as a "son" in his Step-Grandfather's obit?

So many questions about the Cummings family yet, the media is not interested?

Is there such a thing as a private gag order?

Could it be because Ron and "The Cummings" are locals...
and the Croslins are transplants?

Ron and his family have avoided the public "wrath" and LE certainly isn't releasing anything that seems negative about RC other than the drugs...

I do feel a little sorry for Hank and Lisa... Seems like they have tried to do the right thing - at least since MC's divorce anyway...

 

[Wendy101]

I find a LOT of fault with the Cummings clan and have voiced as much several times, and can't tell you how high my eyebrows shot up when I read the obituary of Mr. Sykes. You know, the one that essentially calls Ronald, Teresa, and Crystal Cummings brother and sisters! Yes, that's the one. :waitasec: How many times have we criticized RC for his "parenting" skills and his drug use, etc., with two small children in his care?

While I can also be harsh towards the parenting skills and life choices of Hank and Lisa, I do recognize their children are adults, and should be making wise adult choices, which they haven't. Their lack of good behavior is no longer the fault of their parents, but of their own making.

I do question Hank's statement about all three Croslins being fired because of the publicity surrounding Haleigh's disappearance (or whatever he said). I can't see any company doing that to loyal employees without provocation. While Hank's continual sobbing about their woes and blaming others is grating to listen to, he is the ONLY one telling his children to come clean with the whole truth about what happened to Haleigh.

He also stands by Lisa. He hasn't deserted her and seems to be watching out for her, and the family does appear to love each other in their own way, so they must have done something right somewhere along the way.

I do wish he'd take it a few steps more and apply for programs to help their drug addictions, to help him learn to read and write, something he could be doing since he's not working, or could do in the evenings in quiet hours. They need to do something to move themselves into a better realm. They're not getting any younger and their health will probably deteriorate quickly if they just sit around doing nothing. Doing something constructive is far better than wasting away, or worse, getting more and more into a drug-inducted rut. He probably needs to visit his jailhouse kids less. A little tough love can go a long way.

BBM: Yeah, what's up with that? Did GGS go to court or something for custody of Ronald? I remember someone posting GGS criminal file (or whatever it's called) something about TN and GGS.

 

[nachomama]

Here is a story from the Ocala paper.. I don't know if it's the same as the other article.. I can't get the original link to work..

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100527/ARTICLES/5271011

 

[Donjeta]

As I was reading all the comments about Hank's choice of words, I was thinking the same thing. This man was in the hospital when "Haleigh happened." He can't read or write, and does not have the ability to express himself like we do. I cringe when I hear him criticized, because I don't feel that he is fair game. (can not possibly be involved in Haleigh's death) I don't think he can do his regular job because of his injuries, and he certainly can't do an office job. Never mind that no one wants to hire him because of who he is. I feel sorry for him!

BBM. It sounds to me that he considers himself healed. Is he still disabled?

"After I'd got healed up, Haleigh had happened, and that's when they [the contractor] got rid of all of us. Tommy was working for them, and Timmy was working for them. They just fired all of us," he said. "I wish we never came here."

 

[Donjeta]

The links in the beginning of the thread don't work for me either but this one I can see:


http://www.gainesville.com/article/...Croslin-and-family-an-unscripted-reality-show

 

[Hippy Chick]

This whole family breaks my heart and makes me question our social structure designed to help the needy.. The adults, who aren't even that old, lacking dentures, a child permitted to drop out of school in 6th grade and have the reading and writing

skills, and grammar of a second grader. Didn't any teacher notice that there was nobody that could read to Misty and her brothers? Didn't anybody ever intervene to get that family some assistance?From the sounds of it, they were hungry as children. No child in this rich country should be hungry. Three generations of people with mostly wasted lives. There should have been some net to help them. I don't consider myself a bleeding heart liberal, but this is where I want my tax dollars to go.

I have wondered this myself why didn't a teacher, principal, school counselor, or someone see that these children couldn't read and where not in school and going hungry. In this great country of ours its a shame that our own citizens are not getting these basic needs met. As far as dentures or any dental work for adults its almost impossible to get these services. I have a friend that is a Respiratory Therapist and she volunteers @ a free clinic. There is one dentist that comes there and he only does extractions but the waiting list is almost a year. She told me people come with horrible tooth aches, abscesses and horrible dental hygene because they can't afford a dentist and have no dental insurance. This country gives money everywhere but won't take care of its own. Maybe if they did there would be less Hank & Lisa's and there fore not as many Tommys, Timmys and Mistys. IMO