Sunday, October 31, 2010

SEEKING SANITY IN THE FACE OF IGNORANCE

"Sanitarium" (noun): "1.  an establishment that provides therapy combined with a regimen (as in diet or exercise) for treatment or rehabilitation.  2.  a) an institution for rest and recuperation (as of convalescents); b) an establishment for the treatment of the chronically ill."  [source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary web site].

This sounds harmless enough, doesn't it?  Though the name "sanitarium" sounds a bit archaic and institutional at best, the definition makes it seem  more warm and purposeful.  The problem is too many people don't bother looking for the definition.  Allow me to explain.

Earlier this month, on October 7, 2010 to be exact, I casually browsed through a small, local, newspaper called The Tri County Record.  It circulates in the general area of Northeast Lancaster, Southeast Berks, and Northwest Chester Counties, Pennsylvania.  I happened to find a copy of it in our break room at work.  I was drawn to the headline that read "No Sanitarium In West Nantmeal".  In a nutshell the story unfolds this way.  A well-intentioned couple, The Gillens, purchased a 10-acre wooded lot near Morgantown, PA, with the intent of building in their words "a hospice or a transitional facility for people to recover from major surgery or cancer in a nice tranquil area".  Unfortunately for the Gillens the official wording to be used on the proposal was not a hospice or transitional facility, but the word "sanitarium" as required by the State.  Therein lies the problem.

The land was zoned R2 (Rural residential) and at the time they filed their plans on August 9 a "sanitarium" could be built within certain criteria.  Several neighbors in the immediate vicinity had other plans, however.  They read the proposal and saw the word "sanitarium".  Immediately it was concluded that it would be either a mental hospital or a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.  Without delay one neighbor who shared a property line with the Gillens began a campaign to block the plans.  Going door-to-door and posting flyers Peter Rio garnered a petition with 157 signatures and rallied approximately 90 citizens to attend the West Nantmeal Zoning Hearing Board for a special continuance hearing for the proposed project.

The opposition intimidated the Gillens enough that they reluctantly withdrew their petition just prior to the start of the meeting.

How sad.

The Gillens are adamant that they never intended to use the facility as a mental hospital or drug and alcohol rehab center.  Yet no one gave them a chance to voice that publicly.  They did go before the township authorities twice before to explain their proposal and thought they were understood.  But the masses need not worry themselves with details.  They only need a cause; a thought or a perceived threat.  And they found one in the Gillens.

My interest in this story is rooted in the terrible prejudice that exists in the hearts of people who fear those who are not like them.  Here was a group of citizens who never bothered to talk with the land owners regarding their plans.  They heard or saw a word that they did not fully know or understand and rather than seek the details they made a conclusion and created a threat that did not exist.

That is in itself a sad commentary on our culture.  What is even more tragic is the thought that the mentally ill or the recovering addict is unwelcome and unwanted near us.  Perhaps they would prefer to keep the dependant soul addicted to their drug of choice without any hope of recovery.  Perhaps the mentally ill should just be euthanized here in the good old US of A the way they are in certain dictatorial regimes.  Then we don't have to be threatened by them.  We don't have to support them.  We don't have to be reminded that WE could be just like them if certain events in our life were to occur as it has in their lives!

Prejudice is a horrible affliction.  Generally we think of it in terms of racial relations.  Indeed, such is a serious blemish upon us.  But it also inflicts the young with a dislike for the elderly, and the unchallenged with a fear of the challenged.  Prejudice can infiltrate anyone with a hatred or distrust of people who are different from them in any way.  It could be in terms of appearance, language, mental or physical capacity, economic status, age, gender, sexual orientation and more.

It breaks my heart to realize that large groups of people can so easily be drawn to a campaign to keep the unwanted out of our lives without ever confirming the facts.  I pray that Mr. Rio nor his like-minded friends should ever see the day come when someone they love should be diagnosed with cancer or be injured in a car accident that would render them crippled or terminally ill.  For if that should happen I imagine they may regret not having a quality facility just down the road where their loved one could be cared for 24/7 and they would have the privalege of visiting virtually as easily as if they were in their own home.  As a result of their own actions that will not be a possibility.  But remember:  if a loved one does end up in such a facility they will be somebody's neighbor; somewhere.  Be thankful for that.

gdg 10/31/2010
Look for an upcoming post to deal with specific prejudices within the Church.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Lancaster County Family Adopts Children With Special Needs - Video - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley

Lancaster County Family Adopts Children With Special Needs - Video - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley

The above link is a really neat feature on an amazing family I have had the joy of getting to know. I used to drive three of their children to school when I was driving a school van for special needs children, a position I gave up just recently. In fact, my last day as their driver was the same day that WGAL arived to tape the interview.

I was especially impressed with the two biological children that are referred to in the interview. They really chip right in and dispaly a wonderful level of maturity and responsibility. They have been a joy to know.

-gdg

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

Did you know that October is Disabilities Awareness Month?  Well, it is.  And to celebrate I thought I would offer a few pieces of information for your consideration.

1.  Disability Ministry In the Church.
Many churches talk about the desire to begin some form of ministry among the disabled but just don't know how to do so.  There are a numerous resources available.  Among the best, in my opinion, is the information to be found on the website of Joni and Friends.  Go to www.joniandfriends.org/education-and-training/ to find top-notch information for individuals and for Churches.  One of the easiest ways a church can begin to engage in a ministry to the disabled is through exploring employment possibilities.  Read on!

2.  Employing the Disabled.
If you are an employer, have I got news for you!  Have you heard about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)?  This is a great opportunity for employers to fill vacancies and reduce hiring costs at the same time.  When an employer fills a vacant position with a WOTC-certified employee he/she can claim a federal income tax credit for a portion of the new employee's salary.  Its not  a terribly difficult thing to do.  Perhaps the easiest way is to hire someone through a vocational rehabilitation service and you will be sure to qualify.  Here is where I can put a plug in for my employer, the Lighthouse Vocational Services in New Holland, PA.  For my friends in the Lancaster County area, we are happy to help you with your employment needs.  Just email me or call the Lighthouse and ask to speak to me for more information.
For more information you can also go to www.dol.gov/odep/documents/WOTC-incentive.pdf.
Even though Churches need not worry about Federal Income taxes they really should look into the possibilities for employing the disabled.  It provides them with a ministry outreach while giving the disabled community a chance to develop skills and earn an income.  It truly is a win-win situation.

3.  Who Are the Disabled?
They are your neighbors, your friends, and your fellow citizens.  The latest statistics reveal that 17% of Americans are disabled.  That's about 1 in 5 persons.  Think about that a second.  Chances are you know someone that is disabled, even if you are not aware of their disability.  Sure, some disabilities are more visible  than others.  But 1 in 5?  That tells you just how many are developmentally handicapped in ways that may not appear to be all that visible.  It also says volumes for the complications in dealing with disabilities.

4.  Why the Increase in the Number of Disabled Persons?
This is not an easy question to answer, but it is important.  There are numerous factors involved.  Certainly one major source would be the way we now define disabilities.  In the 1970's the term disability was pretty much limited to a person with an obvious physical or mental handicap.  A person in a wheel chair or someone with Down's Syndrome was clearly disabled.  But today we look at things a bit differently and more completely.  In the 21st Century we take into consideration a person's ability to function effectively in social interaction.  This involves a complex interaction between the person and his/her environment.  Many disorders such as certain forms of Autism and such diagnoses as Obsessive Complusive Disorder or schizophrenia-related disorders can prevent a person from holding a regular job if they are not supported by the necessary networks and systems to enable them to function more effectively.  In saying this I am only skimming the surface of the issue.  It goes much deeper than I am qualified to discuss.  I only know that I have learned volumes in recent years and I continue to do so.

I'm going to stop here for now.  Hopefully this gives you something to think about.  Stay tuned to this blog for more thoughts in the near future.  And as always, I welcome your input and responses.  Post your comments or, if you prefer, email me directly.  Also, I encourage you to become a follower of Peace-Ability by clicking on the link to the right of this page.

God Bless,

gdg