As anyone who has ever worked in human services in the not for profit realm knows, we get the poorest of the poor coming through our doors. I often have long dragged out "conversations" with certain wealthier members of my family on the social injustices in the world, especially those that stem from the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots". I have one moderately wealthy brother-in-law who can really get my back up. He lives in a $200,000 home which he continually renovates whether it needs it or not and he always complains about his taxes. We all complain about our taxes but he is one of those who just doesn't see the correlation between tax dollars and aid to those who need it. Here where I live, almost all local aid comes from property tax. When you consider that property taxes also pay for public parks, schools, public museums, roads, etc. by the time the disabled get their share there is little left. It's the tiny pot of money we are left to try to assist them with mental health needs. It's not enough to give them even minimal assistance. And, each year at budget time, that amount gets less and less. What vexes me about my brother-in-law is that he has a relative who needs our help and gets our help and, frankly, without our help she would be homeless and delusional. He still doesn't get it.
All that aside, the blatant disregard by our society for the mentally ill, disabled, and homeless. I know that programs to assist these people are enormously expensive but I truly believe if we are to ever be a society with any strength or virtue that could ever regain the respect we once had worldwide, we have to start here. I am always astonished and impressed when I travel and see the high regard people are given in other countries. Yes, I know, there are exceptions to that to be sure but doesn't it make sense that one of the wealthiest countries in the world would be able to adequately address these issues and take care of our own first? There is a misconception that all those with mental illness are prone to violence and should be locked up, that all disabled should be in a nursing home or institution, that all homeless are lazy and most likely drug or alcohol addicted. I know that as I live from pay check to pay check there but for the grace of god go I...and you...and your neighbor. Think about it.
4 comments:
very well put. the homeless in this country are treated worse than cattle. the sad thing is that some, with some help could contribute to society. very sad.
Overseas, in our publically funded sphere, things aren't looking all too bright either. Once you are outside of society- regardless of how much money the state pours out over you- you're staying out.
the thing that gets me is that there is a great federal program already in place called the supportive living program. it provides rental assistance, therapy, transportation and academic funding if appropriate and whatever else the client needs to become independent. it is an awesome program and should be friggin law in every state. i think sometimes legislatures just want people to stay the way they are and never get any higher up on the food chain. the program is listed on my domestic violence/homelessness page also but here is the direct link.
http://www.voapa.org/Services/MentalHealth/SupportiveLiving/tabid/497/Default.aspx
go check it out and then go start harping on yours state's mental health boards and legislature...that's what I'm doing. I would be dead now if it were not for that program. have a good one! glad the kitty's ok :)
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