HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (Examiner.com) – At a Waffle House parking lot in Huntsville, Alabama two parents meet for the first time. Otherwise perpetual strangers, if not for an extraordinary set of circumstances which occurred and brought them together. One parent says to the other, 'You know, you are a rare bird.' They shake hands, and the other catches a glimpse of the new friend's t-shirt. It reads, 'Become a firefighter, Lose Son.' He wonders, 'how could that be?' They walk into the restaurant and take a booth next to the door.
As the firefighter starts talking, this person who rushes to the aid of neighbors when they are desperately in need of help, it becomes clear how desperately he needs his neighbors to help him this time. This public servant doesn't need an ambulance or water to put out a fire, this firefighter and his child need their neighbors and the Alabama Legislature to come to their rescue. What firefighter Chris Hobbs relates is not an uncommon story in our state. Hundreds, if not thousands, of responsible Alabama parents have similar stories of injustice to tell.
As the parents talk, five female strangers join the conversation with their own stories of injustice, or those of their sons and daughters. It is clear this affects many people, but for now everyone's eyes are on the firefighter. A parent many call a hero. The pain is all too clear on this hero's face.
Chris tells of achieving a 'life-long dream' about six years ago when he became a firefighter and EMT for the city of Huntsville, Alabama. He says it is, 'the perfect job to feel that your hard work is worthwhile' as he details saving the life of a newborn while the baby's mother looked on helplessly, shortly after his joining the fire department. You can tell this is a person that loves his job, and a parent that loves his child. Despite his success, the U.S. Navy veteran shares that his happiness was to be short lived.
Around that time, the mother of his child filed her third custody lawsuit against him. According to court transcripts, the mother stated her 'primary reason' was 'because of the [work] schedule at the fire department.' Mr. Hobbs was then forced to endure several years of trials, court hearings, four court rulings, three decision reversals, appeals court rulings, and also Alabama Supreme Court rulings. The result was to have his relationship and time to devote to his child dramatically restricted. This fit parent and child were accustomed to a close relationship over the previous nine years, and their relationship was damaged as the State ordered their time together to be significantly reduced.
'All because you became a firefighter?' Chris quickly answers, 'Yes, I have the court orders, transcripts, and other documents to prove my claims.'
'Relationships are built by spending time together, not apart. Standard visitation damages and reduces the fit parent's ability to be fully involved in their child’s routine activities in a meaningful manner,' states this concerned parent who has studied child custody issues for many years now. 'The judges are doing this to children on a routine basis in custody rulings throughout Alabama.'
For many years, Chris has been involved in the Alabama Family Rights Association. This fit parent has been organizing with other fit parents from all over the state to bring about family law reform in Alabama. Last year, the group got an equal parenting bill sponsored in the State Legislature. He declares his 'dedicated belief is that the proposed bill known as 'The Alabama Children’s Family Act' can safeguard the Constitutional rights of all fit parents and their children.' He says it also safeguards the rights of married parents and their children. He further believes it would protect his child from the 'violations and abuses' they have endured over the past five years. Then he shares plans to reintroduce an improved version of the bill during the 2012 legislative session.
He maintains that if he can get the active help of friends and neighbors, 'passing this bill will restore a lot of children's relationships with their fit parents across the State.'
Next time you call 911 for yourself or a family member, Chris Hobbs might be that angel to save the life of your loved one. Often we wish there was something we could do to show our appreciation to these heroes, who risk their lives everyday to save our own at a moment's notice. This rescue worker has answered many of our calls for help.
The veteran and firefighter issues a call for help of his own, 'contact your legislator as soon as possible and ask them to pass 'The Alabama Children’s Family Act.'
Will YOU answer this hero's call for help?
You can find your legislator's contact information HERE.
Find out more about Chris's struggles HERE: http://www.whyjudgelittle.com
CLICK HERE READ 'THE ALABAMA CHILDREN'S FAMILY ACT'
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