TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY - How's about yours? by Siri

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY - How's about yours?

POSTED BY: SIRI
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 16:31
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VIEWED: 981
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Thursday, November 9, 2006 11:23 AM

I have been reading through these posts - particularly the hot button political topics. I wonder if people actually believe what they say. In years gone by I have published and/or edited several newsletters and periodicals - limited distribution - somewhat undergroundish in nature. Rather early in that game I realized that on occasion I opined on a topic and later changed my mind. But people would quote what I said and I got tagged with it. I learned it's easier to take back spoken words (for most of us) than written words.

I currently work as the director of a rural midwestern community mental health center. My staff works with people with long-term, chronic mental illness. Many live in residential care facilities, have minimal ability to work, have been in and out of psychiatric hospitals, are poor, and suffer greatly. My staff work with them to help to function at their highest level. Some are able to work minimal jobs, a few manage to get some education - GED - some college or trade school.

They have been hurt by the Medicaid cuts and other restrictions. This is a severely depressed area. My folks compete for jobs with others in the area who now can't find better jobs. There is no public transportation, lots of meth labs and considerable discrimination. It's difficult, challengeing work and it can be depressing.

So why is today a good day for me? You might think I'm pleased to see the Dems get back into power. That's true - I am. Whether or not they can or will do anything to help my folks remains to be seen.

Today is a good day because my staff put together for the third year in a row a Recognition and Reward Day for their clients who have made progress this year. For some of these folks it means they didn't go into the hospital for a year or they managed to get to their doctor appointments and take their meds. Doesn't sound like much to us but to them it's a lot.

So R&R Day means they are invited for a day of fun, relaxation and celebration of their achievments. My staff get donations from the community to provide bagels and donuts for breakfast. They also get donations, coupons, etc. that we put into goodie bags for the clients. My agency provides a hot lunch. We set up workshops and crafts for them. We had a couple with their guitars providing country music entertainment. Then they are each given a Certificate of Achievment and a goodie bag. This is their favorite part. I see people smile and feel proud who never smile and have little confidence in themselves. One fellow told me no one ever acknowledged him for anything in his life before this. This is our third year of R&R Day. Our clients now look forward to being invited and work harder on their goals.

I don't know if the Dems will make changes that will help us out. I wish we weren't so polarized and would stop bickering and fighting amongst ourselves and start working on our problems together. In the meantime, those of us in the trenches here at home (US) will keep on working with what we have for those who have not.

So how was your day?

Siri

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Thursday, November 9, 2006 11:32 AM

TRISTAN

Siri, thank you for that. My day has not been so great, but reading that boosted me a bit. It's good to see people doing good for others. Keep it up!

______________________________________

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Thursday, November 9, 2006 11:56 AM

DAYVE

Thanks for your post Siri, and the work you do.
I live in a rural area and have seen the results of some of the cuts in funding to the underprivileged citizens in this area. Many of the truly needy are dealing with life on a day-to-day basis. I have faith that the Democratically controlled House and Senate can help begin to repair some of the damage done by the current administration. The lack of any real balance in government has had a detrimental effect on those who need assistance the most. Perhaps now there at least will be some recognition of the problem.

But, for me…the results of the election were great. Mainly because I’ve been on the losing end of so many elections that I had nearly forgotten what it was like to win one.

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Thursday, November 9, 2006 12:14 PM

WHIMSICALNBRAINPAN

Congratulations Siri! I too have had a rough day and your news has cheered me up.

I pray with all I have that the Democrats do someting, anything to improve the healthcare system especially when it comes to mental health. My state has just undergone "reforms" that have left many high and dry.

I hope too that some of the restrictions for those of us that rely on the system are relaxed so we can work some and still get the help we need. It sucks when you are forced to chose between a life as a functioning member of society or staying on welfare in order to get the help you need.

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." http://whimsicalnbrainpan.blogspot.com/

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Thursday, November 9, 2006 10:04 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

Siri,

I know you're making a difference.

It was a GREAT day !
Under republican rule, every day was a new disaster in the making, whether it was economic, educational, environmental, war and war, wherever you looked. The democrats are not going to make the country heaven on earth, but the unmitigated train wreck has stopped.

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Thursday, November 9, 2006 10:37 PM

MRT

Siri - great work to you and your team. You guys do something that I could not. As I could not be a soldier, I could also not work caring for others as you do - in a way you are fighting a fight that many of us are too scared or selfish to fight ourselves, so thank you for all that you do.

I find it interesting that this thread has brought out the Dem support... Over the last few months I have found this site fascinating for its range of opinions and ideas, but they seem mostly to come from the right of centre and not the left... or perhaps this is just my perception from a foreign land (UK)?

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Wednesday, November 15, 2006 4:31 PM

DREAMTROVE

too much work and not enough play

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