Courage Camille....
I read a story today about a young man named Ken Hilborn of the University of Toronto Blues. (you can find this story here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050218.wxhtourette18/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth )
Young Mr. Hilborn has Tourette's Syndrome. The disorder takes control of the mind and can cause the person to make unexpected hand gestures or sounds which are sometimes curse words. It's partly like that of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is where people do something as a ritual to keep them safe. I'm not a therapist, (never played one on TV either) but it sounds like a horrible thing to experience.
I was struck at the courage that it takes for this man to get up each day and deal with life. Much as I am with those who have MS or any other disease of the mind or body. Every day they meet this problem head on and do what they can in life.
On the other side of the equation, there are those who are fully able, but just don't want to get going. They would rather sit back and let life meet up with them or bring something to them. Please don't think for a moment that I am calling them lazy or selfish, they just are on a different path.
Do I think we should hand them money and take care of them? Well, I admit I struggle with that question. Compassion for all dictates that we try to help them. But is handing someone some money and not doing anything else compassion? The folks who follow the like of Rush Limbaugh think that that is not an answer at all. That we should hold back all money for these people no matter what, and they should just fend for themselves. That they are given a choice. Work or no money. I don't think that is a good answer to the problem. Can we work with them to help them find some feeling of belonging so that they will feel a need to contribute or help them get an education and raise their sense of self? I think we can. I think that just slapping a label on someone and telling them to get off their ass and get to work will not do. Lets help them. And, lets not do it by giving government money to religious programs that will use that money to further their religion while passing on a bit of help. Keep them separate. It is the law we all agreed to live under.
There are some people who are just unable to work. Their brain chemistry is bad, they live with a depression most of us with thankfully never know. We need to be very compassionate about these folks and help them in what ever way we can. We cannot force them to 'get over it' and get to work. Some people just can't. Lets face it.
Back to Mr. Hilborn. I would bet somewhere there was someone who saw him in his early years and told him, in some form, "I believe in you. I believe in what you can do." and helped him to find his way. This too takes a level of courage. You risk being turned down or disappointed.
Is there someone you might help with a few simple words or a gesture to help them find their way?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050218.wxhtourette18/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth )
Young Mr. Hilborn has Tourette's Syndrome. The disorder takes control of the mind and can cause the person to make unexpected hand gestures or sounds which are sometimes curse words. It's partly like that of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is where people do something as a ritual to keep them safe. I'm not a therapist, (never played one on TV either) but it sounds like a horrible thing to experience.
I was struck at the courage that it takes for this man to get up each day and deal with life. Much as I am with those who have MS or any other disease of the mind or body. Every day they meet this problem head on and do what they can in life.
On the other side of the equation, there are those who are fully able, but just don't want to get going. They would rather sit back and let life meet up with them or bring something to them. Please don't think for a moment that I am calling them lazy or selfish, they just are on a different path.
Do I think we should hand them money and take care of them? Well, I admit I struggle with that question. Compassion for all dictates that we try to help them. But is handing someone some money and not doing anything else compassion? The folks who follow the like of Rush Limbaugh think that that is not an answer at all. That we should hold back all money for these people no matter what, and they should just fend for themselves. That they are given a choice. Work or no money. I don't think that is a good answer to the problem. Can we work with them to help them find some feeling of belonging so that they will feel a need to contribute or help them get an education and raise their sense of self? I think we can. I think that just slapping a label on someone and telling them to get off their ass and get to work will not do. Lets help them. And, lets not do it by giving government money to religious programs that will use that money to further their religion while passing on a bit of help. Keep them separate. It is the law we all agreed to live under.
There are some people who are just unable to work. Their brain chemistry is bad, they live with a depression most of us with thankfully never know. We need to be very compassionate about these folks and help them in what ever way we can. We cannot force them to 'get over it' and get to work. Some people just can't. Lets face it.
Back to Mr. Hilborn. I would bet somewhere there was someone who saw him in his early years and told him, in some form, "I believe in you. I believe in what you can do." and helped him to find his way. This too takes a level of courage. You risk being turned down or disappointed.
Is there someone you might help with a few simple words or a gesture to help them find their way?
posted by Both Sides of My Brain at 5:10 PM
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