Why I'm a Restoration Rebel
Andrew G. McCabe ???????
Xactimate Centralized Estimatics Director │ Author │ Expert Witness │ Licensed PIA
[This article was posted for the Restoration Rebel group. Many expressed that it should be shared more broadly, so here goes]
This is me and my nephew London. He was severely autistic. He loved looking at himself in the reflection of my sunglasses.
He is dead now.
London was killed by someone who had passed through every manner of State health and mental-health facility. She was deemed "not a threat" by State doctors and law enforcement.
The reality was that she wasn't dangerous ENOUGH for the health-care system to provider her full-time inpatient facilities. They didn't want to spend the money, and we didn't have the means. So they sent her home to us.
Health care "professionals", paid for by insurance, continued to see her for nearly a year before she decided to throw London over a bridge.
He didn't die when he hit the water (as she planned). He drowned.
It's been four years now.
We placed our trust in a broken system. What else were we to do? "They" were the professionals afterall, right?
The systems ... our clients rely on to make them whole, are not designed to do so.
Insurance is insurance - no matter if it's P&C or Life/Health. The systems we rely on, and our clients rely on to make them whole, are not designed to do so. They are designed for profit.
My family will not rely on "doctor's orders" anymore. We know better. The costs of compliance have been too high.
We, as professional restorers know better. We ARE the professionals in our fields. WE KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR CLIENTS.
That is why most of you are here (I hope). We cannot rely on the "powers that be" to hold our best interests or those of our clients as primary. You know this, in your heart.
That is why I am here. To change all of it.
It starts here, with you. In your business. In your market.
Stand up for what is right. Every time.
We will not waver.
Your voice may quiver when you're talking to that adjuster or third party administrator, and that's OK. Stand strong in knowing that WE have your back.
P. R. Exec Working to Help Restoration Professionals Flourish
5 年Thank you for sharing your reason.? ?I do not believe that the real rebels in our industry are here for money.? Many of us are here out of deep desire to help our fellow man when they simply trust the wrong entity and they simply feel powerless. I believe we all have a defining moment, and I am touched that you shared yours.? Thank you for inspiring us.??
President at Damage Control, Inc. Certified ICRA Supervisor and Educator
6 年Thank you for sharing that, Andrew. I am so sorry for that tragedy. I admire your courage
National Restoration Project Manager at BluSky Restoration Contractors
6 年Andy, I have wondered since I heard about you, what is the real reason? Everyone has both public and private motivations for everything that they believe, do and endorse, and while I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you and you're family went through, I have a family of my own, feeling a great deal of fear for them being at the mercy of others and things outside of my control. I am certain other rebels and future rebels with families have had, and will have fears for their families at one time or another. You sharing this dark part of your life can only strengthen this cause, and I for one, believe that change is not only neccessary, but inevitable. Thank you Andy.
Disaster Victim Advocate since 1989 ? Fire, Water, Storm Property Damage Claims ? Insurance Policy Analysis ? Damage Valuation ? Claims Settlement ? Accurate Recovery for Our Clients ?? [email protected]
6 年I now cleatly understand your mission, values, and purpose. That was powerful. Thank you for sharing that heartbreak personal tragedy with us all.