"Whatever their gifts or limitations, people are all bound together by a common humanity." Jean Vanier, Founder of L'Arche
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
It CAN be done
I read Nicola Schaefer's book about her daughter when Daniel was a baby, and I wrote about her impact on me here. Here's a video clip of her talking about her life in Canada. Catherine is my age (50) and living in her own home with supports.
Oh, Carolyn, how wonderful. I would really like to sit down with you sometime and really talk about all of this -- your boy, my girl, etc. How can we manage that?
That would be WONDERFUL, Elizabeth. I've been working on an email to you for two days now, and I keep getting interrupted mid-sentence. Today...will finish...
Thanks for the kind words the other day when I was so down. Much love and hugs to you all!!
I live in my own place just like Catherine, with 24-hour support. It costs the state about a third of what it would cost to sustain a life I wouldn't rate as worth living in a nursing home - and I know that because I DID spend 9 months living in a nursing home.
It's cheaper. It's safer. The quality of care is vastly better. And your personhood is not just acknowledged or respected but central to the entire process.
It really needs to be law - to be illegal to warehouse people the way our varied countries do in 'care' institutions.
4 comments:
Oh, Carolyn, how wonderful. I would really like to sit down with you sometime and really talk about all of this -- your boy, my girl, etc. How can we manage that?
That would be WONDERFUL, Elizabeth. I've been working on an email to you for two days now, and I keep getting interrupted mid-sentence. Today...will finish...
Thanks for the kind words the other day when I was so down. Much love and hugs to you all!!
I live in my own place just like Catherine, with 24-hour support. It costs the state about a third of what it would cost to sustain a life I wouldn't rate as worth living in a nursing home - and I know that because I DID spend 9 months living in a nursing home.
It's cheaper. It's safer. The quality of care is vastly better. And your personhood is not just acknowledged or respected but central to the entire process.
It really needs to be law - to be illegal to warehouse people the way our varied countries do in 'care' institutions.
I agree, Becca. It's good to hear from someone who has experienced the difference and can give a voice to those who have none.
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