Thursday, July 8, 2010

In the meantime

In the meantime there is work to be done. Many young people are stagnating in nursing homes because they don't have accessible apartments/houses. They are prisoners of their bodies, their minds, institutions, medications. These institutions are set up for older people who cannot live in the community. Minimal is set up to entertain or rehabilitate this population but it costs out the nose to keep them there.

I know because I am one of them! The time that I have been at Beth Abraham, my floor has gotten heavier (with residents) and yet they've cut back on the staff. There are 4 aids to care for 40 resident in a shift and 1 nurse in the evening. The staff are now more unhappy, impatient, and the residents are left in their beds, in their chairs more often. It's hard for me to catch someone for help, but at least I'm more mobile! Granted, we are in a recession, but I'm beginning to learn that people tied to the healthcare industry, who are benefitting from it, can give more than they do.

"Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; [yea], and sell the refuse of the wheat?

The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works." Amos 8:4-7

There are young people who just now have a support system through mentors at Mount Sinai and NYCSCIA, that help facilitate goals to go back to school, work or get them living independently. Many in fact, are motivated to get back into life! It costs the system much more to have these people in the nursing facilities than out on their own. This is why it so important to begin funding projects like Wheels of progress. It has huge potential for replicability because people with disabilities are often left out of the equation for housing. Most housing is INaccessible and the mayor's new housing plan completely leaves out the physically disabled.

Wheels of Progress is the solution to this problem. Start giving for 2010 today! I believe that ALL people should have a place to live where they can thrive in a supportive environment.


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