tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post849377322152262223..comments2024-03-19T07:36:33.915-04:00Comments on Of Battered Aspect: The Queston Has Been AskedDave Hingsburgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918601687946534172noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-5698041452623229602012-01-23T08:57:58.288-05:002012-01-23T08:57:58.288-05:00I get the "hope", I see the "glimme...I get the "hope", I see the "glimmer", I understand the importance of the question, the point of the post - the weight of the message. <br /> What I don't get is why belittle, and you really did belittle, the issues of the very people whom you hope to see the change in. Commenting "So many staff see themselves as victims of the system as working for horrible supervisors as without control in their work as pawns in the human service machinery. Some of that may be true, some of it may just be whining, some of it might be simply an example of how some human souls are attracted to personal victim hood like iron filings to magnets." OUCH, HOLEY CRAP Dave!!!<br />I have been in this field for over 30 years, bowed under by the weight of the acceptance of MY responsibility, and I NEVER forget the huge personal challenge of the big three I strive toward. CARE, Respect and dignity. I have done this for over 30 years and see the things you speak of; ask the questions just like that young man, and pray for the answer.... but waiting for that answer, also see that we, as staff, are so undervalued that turnover is rampant; low pay, no benefits, little training, no respect given. “Contracted” by the companies we work for, not even claimed as their workers - on the cheap, even though we do the same work as the degreed people - same paperwork, same services,even longer hours. Just for much poorer pay and no benefits. You must remember that while we do this - yes to serve, we also do it for a living. I am there to celebrate and even teach the signature….. And I should be allowed a voice, certainly YOU should understand how important being given a voice is - and not mocked as “whining”. I do not want to take away from your message, or its celebration, I pray that everyone “gets” that answer soon - but it is that very question, given voice by a young STAFFER that will make the change. Please don’t take OUR voice away Dave, or mock us in our struggle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-82317706338793305502012-01-23T00:15:13.537-05:002012-01-23T00:15:13.537-05:00On Saturday morning, I wrote a blog post about my ...On Saturday morning, I wrote a blog post about my own concerns about supporting people - namely, will I have the courage, find the words, withstand the urge to lapse into complacency/muck it all up.<br /><br />I was blessed - so blessed - to receive a response that was both realistic and gentle. And it offered me hope and resolve and makes me all the more determined to remember that it will be my PRIVILEGE to serve another.<br /><br />I felt awful, asking, admitting that I struggle ALREADY with the knowledge that in supporting someone, I wield enormous power to either enrich or make harder their life/lives. Already, I question my own courage, to stand by and FOR him/her/them. How incredible to come here, find some of my own thoughts, offered up. <br /><br />I too, am eager to read your thoughts on the matter.Belly (Liz McLennan)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12185843639648333419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-88442323865245753522012-01-22T23:28:49.771-05:002012-01-22T23:28:49.771-05:00First of all, I'm happy to hear about your hop...First of all, I'm happy to hear about your hope for the future as I have to children that are "in the system".<br /><br />Secondly, I thought your post about the young woman with Down Syndrome signing her name was one of your most moving. I should have posted then what I thought ... the parents who fought to bring their daughter to that point have paved the way for me. I have a six year old with Down Syndrome and live in a place where a world of services are available because of the parents who fought.Ellennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-20606980607460639522012-01-22T22:50:42.303-05:002012-01-22T22:50:42.303-05:00I used to be 'staff' for a young woman who...I used to be 'staff' for a young woman who could only block-print her name, even though she had a checking account. She said whenever she tried to learn to write in cursive one of two things would happen:<br /><br />Either the teacher would say it would be too hard for her and she shouldn't bother ...<br /><br />or some normie would make fun of her for not knowing how already.<br /><br />I am just thrilled to know you saw someone signing her name in fluent script!Maggienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-90359481623315560292012-01-22T17:47:58.323-05:002012-01-22T17:47:58.323-05:00A glimmer.
Let it shine shine shine, let it SHINE!...A glimmer.<br />Let it shine shine shine, let it SHINE!<br />'what do we each personally do to deal with that power to ensure that we never, ever, misuse it?'<br />So you didn’t tell us the answer in your blog. But there’s an answer I have learned from you and your writing, and it’s kindness.<br />It’s wonderful that the question is asked. I think it’s asked bcos Dave you, your work, makes the space, the necessity, the urgency that ask us never to misuse power and tell us that it starts here.<br />I also hear from you a very simple and very powerful answer in many complex ways.<br />LAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-10253731398125050792012-01-22T14:52:46.166-05:002012-01-22T14:52:46.166-05:00I come from your generation, Dave. I remember in N...I come from your generation, Dave. I remember in Nursing school touring the Hell-house that was the Illinois mental retardation hospital. I'll bet that ANYONE writing that you "lost it" NEVER SAW what you have borne witness to....rickismomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07817042750959998664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-26562448331356625262012-01-22T14:52:27.249-05:002012-01-22T14:52:27.249-05:00Dear Dave:
Thank you for sharing this glimmer of ...Dear Dave:<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this glimmer of hope with us. I agree that it is a glimmer of hope. For someone so young to realize 1) the huge power imbalance and 2) they are personally responsible for how they use their power and 3)there might be strategies that can help - wow! that is huge!<br /><br />One of the road blocks I run into on a regular basis while trying to get students to these realizations is that they think because they are a good person they won't abuse their power. And mostly they are right about the fact that they are good people. But they are dead wrong about the fact that good people do not abuse power. Its a tough battle - good to know you are making headway.<br /><br />Now what I really want to hear about is your answer.<br /><br />ColleenColleennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-83030189648131033082012-01-22T12:01:57.854-05:002012-01-22T12:01:57.854-05:00Thank you Dave for sharing your glimmer of hope. ...Thank you Dave for sharing your glimmer of hope. We all need to believe that the next generation will be better. I too have worked with students at the college here and have felt that there are some insightful caring individuals that are entering disability services. Their youth and enthusiasm is wonderful and when that is coupled with caring and personal responsibility that can oly be a plus for Human Services. .Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14294417720384602202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-10939672157126351392012-01-22T12:00:07.472-05:002012-01-22T12:00:07.472-05:00Thanks for the glimmer of hope.
Thanks for acknowl...Thanks for the glimmer of hope.<br />Thanks for acknowledging how much effort went into a person learning to sign their name.<br />Thanks for bringing a light to the smallest of concerns.<br />Even when you are not agreed with, maybe, hopefully, you have started someone thinking about something they hadn't registered before.Flemisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-31680732061957131622012-01-22T11:30:07.286-05:002012-01-22T11:30:07.286-05:00It's too bad that you receive emails from thos...It's too bad that you receive emails from those thinking you may be reading too much into things. I disagree. <br /><br />I think you are sensitive and finely tuned to situations and their significance because it's your gift. This example is certainly a big one with deep implications, but previous posts like the "signing her name" are no less relevant and important. <br /><br />Your voice is very much needed. I feel that you humanize what often has been dehumanized: disability and the many factors that come into play.<br /><br />Keep up the good fight, Dave. And remember: just because others don't agree with or can't see your point of view, it doesn't make it wrong or less valid. Speak up.<br /><br />-Jazz<br />http://fightinthefibro.blogspot.com/FibroFacialGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490696867905410299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-21537891032488982212012-01-22T09:17:09.535-05:002012-01-22T09:17:09.535-05:00I read your blog looking for answers to that quest...I read your blog looking for answers to that question.Rutinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-2181819342010712132012-01-22T08:07:10.313-05:002012-01-22T08:07:10.313-05:00Dave,
Thanks for this hopeful entry. This is the w...Dave,<br />Thanks for this hopeful entry. This is the wave of the future if we are lucky. The "whipper-snappers" who can Tweet, Facebook, text and shop for socks all at the same moment...these folks are the hope. I think that given better understanding of as you put it, "....about the responsibility of systems, rarely the responsibility of one individual to another".....if we as trainers, educators, mentors and friends can help serve this message an a silver platter (or text it on a silver I- Phone), there is a glimmer of hope for disability services and supports that are delivered by this new and future generations. I am hopeful today!John R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09855575688523179265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-85271959342121909632012-01-22T07:07:56.652-05:002012-01-22T07:07:56.652-05:00As a student nurse on first placement that is the ...As a student nurse on first placement that is the question that I want to be told the answer to!<br />But it is also good to hear that it IS a valid question and not one which everyone else would look at me askance for asking!Lottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00184725727810962530noreply@blogger.com