A little bit about the new social service organization I work at, and a little about my nephew, after the jump …..
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I have mentioned in this space that — after a combination of being unemployed/under-employed for a year, I finally obtained a full-time post at a social service agency providing services for the developmentally disabled this past October. It’s been a grueling transition, as there is a lot to learn just about the accounting end of my job, but also the people that we serve.
Developmental disabilities is a term that encompasses a good deal of challenges to people — and the ones dealing with mental abilities replaces the term used in my youth, mental retardation — which, believe it or not, was much less offensive than the terms it replaced in the middle of the 20th Century. The subject is much too involved to deal with here (and I am far from an expert) — suffice it to say, it covers those who are on the spectrum of autism, Down’s syndrome, Cerebral palsy and other conditions.
Even though I work in the Business Office, we still have to undergo some of the advance training that caseworkers do. One was watching a video entitled Lost in Laconia— truly an eye-opening documentary, as it covered the history of what became known as the Laconia State School …. yet whose original name was the New Hampshire School for the Feebleminded — yes, really — in the early 1900′s. In reality, a statewide warehouse for those whom society — or their families — did not know how to care for, and founded in 1903.
Laconia State School, north-central New HampshireMercifully, the film showed weeds growing through the asphalt … as due to news stories leading to lawsuits, the “school” was shuttered in 1991. New Hampshire, in fact, was the first state to completely shut all such warehouses, though not easily.
Watching this did rekindle an old memory growing-up in the New York area: the Willowbrook State School in the borough of Staten Island in NYC and — even though Robert Kennedy had complained about it as early as 1965, it took investigative reporting from local reporters to bring its abuses to light. And most notably: a young correspondent for the local ABC affiliate in New York City …. if you ever wonder what brought the name of Geraldo Rivera to fame.
There were two introductory training classes that I attended (case workers would take more intensive ones). Gentle Teaching is not something I may ever use — but I gained an appreciation for those who do. A class in Human Rights was not something you would associate with the dictators vs. the United Nations — instead, this has to deal with rights that those with developmental disabilities have (or are frequently denied).
I’ve mentioned that I previously worked several months at a local Humane Society— and when I would walk from the business office to the men’s room, all it took was a cat meowing and putting its paw out to remind me of something. My job description spoke of putting together financial statements, being back-up on payroll, etc. — but the kittehs and pups reminded me that my real job was helping them find forever homes (even if I didn’t deal with the public).
Likewise, while our 3rd floor offices are less likely to have clients visit (as our caseworkers are based on the 2nd floor), at time we do hear them speak. It’s often a good reminder that — while I’m allocating salaries, preparing budgets and the like — I get to hear (and see) the people whom I ultimately work for, even if I do not directly carry-out the organization’s mission statement. For what (I hope) is my final full-time job before retirement ……... this is certainly not a widget place.
Yet I did not have to come here to become first acquainted with this world. My nephew Patrick is autistic, and I see how hard my (single mother) sister works to raise him (yet not short-change her other son). In a real sense: though he lives 200+ miles away in New Jersey, I feel as if each day I am going to work to help Pat.
The Hoboken, NJ waterfront Let’s close with the song by the Irish musician Phil Coulter, written for his son with Down’s Syndrome …... the title speaks for itself. See the child with the golden hair Yet eyes that show the emptiness inside Do we know — can we understand just how he feels Or have we really tried? See him now as he stands alone And watches children play a children's game Simple child: he looks almost like the others Yet they know he's not the same Scorn not his simplicity But rather try to love him all the more Scorn not his simplicity, oh no x YouTube Video Now, on to Top Comments: -------------------------------------From Jeffersonian Democrat:
In the diary by geebeebee about the endorsement by the group Peace Action— thanatokephaloides sources a conservative senator (from Rome) to bust apart a right-wing propaganda pointFrom The Marti:
In today’s Connect Unite Act! diary — marge made this sweet reply about the goings-on in Oregon.From Steven Payne:
In my own Top Comments diary last night — I am submitting this spot on comment by anon004 about recalcitrant county clerks.And from Ed Tracey, your faithful correspondent this evening ........
In the diary by Walter Einenkel about the rabbi ordered removed from an Arizona town council meeting so that an invocation could be made to Jesus….. Eyesbright settles upon an acronym for the persecution complex of these elected officials.And lastly: yesterday's Top Mojo - mega-mojo to the intrepid *mik* ...... who rescued this feature from oblivion:
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