Truth, Lies and Denial Impact US All
To the Editor of The Lakeville Journal of Ct (and Wider World)
On a recent TV crime show the difficult issue of child abuse was explored. A judge intimidated a competent child witness to her sibling's abuse by a caregiver (adoptive parent) by firing questions about knowing the difference between telling the truth or telling a lie. We can all aim to live with integrity and compassion based on the truth.
Allowing freedom and advocating for others is a boundary more can explore for themselves and others in their community.
How many people witness abuse but deny or delay in intervening or advocating in some way? We should try to understand why.
Why isn't there more talk about how to protect and care for children, pregnant women and others in need of support?
What about needy elders and others at high risk for abuse, neglect and denial of services?
What about needy elders and others at high risk for abuse, neglect and denial of services?
Special efforts should be made to help people have basics for care in their own home or in the community. The now defunct institution in Wassaic NY housed 5000 people, most with profound needs before shifting to community-based care homes.
Clearly more help is needed to have support for the huge wave of elders needing support due to age-related decline in ADLs (Activities of Daily Living.)
There are people who may be open to receiving help if there is a supportive network with training and guidelines shared among all parties about being respectful and managing conflict or concern with support as well.
Many people do not understand what is being required to afford care or provide appropriate support. People who are helping may be dismissed or maligned for their efforts, possibly accused of crimes along the way directly or indirectly.
Those are choices playing out and eliminating meaningful connections. Forgiveness, healing and offering more of a community response is needed.
Caring for people and educating youth and others is a team sport everyone, whether online, finding help, doing the direct work or sharing insights.
Schools, states and towns can share the laws and terms of caring for oneself and others in each state, school, home or other settings.
More people can join the "Caregiving Olympics" and aim for integrity and compassion rather than confusion and dismissal of efforts. Each person is worth fighting for to have a safe, decent life and support when needed.
--Catherine Palmer Paton
