When the voices are not heard

The last few visits I have had with my sister Joanne were quite interesting. She has had her surgery for gallstones. When my Mother and I looked at her, we could tell instantly there was something wrong. Joanne was lethargic, and not acting as her usual self. She did manage to get me into a rather good headlock hug, but otherwise, we could tell she was in pain. The infirmary staff dismissed our concerns, once again, because Jo does not show pain the same way that we do. She does not cry, nor make a sound. Difficult to read her, but once you have spent anytime with her, you just know. Maybe it's the mother in me, but I know my sis, and can read the discomfort.

It was not until a regular staff member saw Jo, that they decided to do something. Off for an X-ray, and then they discovered that her hip was broken. The assumption now is that it broke during the surgery, while they were moving her. So, long story short, Joanne has been suffering for several weeks. When they called the Kingston hospital to advise them they were coming, the emergency room advised those caring for my sister to wait, because she would not be taken care of for several hours, or possibly days. Now, there is a battle to determine which hospital will serve her. Ottawa or Kingston, we will find out tomorrow. Neither one wants to do it. Another night of pain for Jo, all because of her handicap. Let me ask this! What would you do if you broke a bone? Would you accept hearing " Don't come today, we are busy"?

My sister's story, unfortunately, is a common one. Hard to believe in this day and age, that there is stigma, and biases against certain medical conditions. Take mental health as an example. Every single one of us has been affected by some sort of mental health issues. Depression, mania, schizophrenia, anxiety, and the list goes on and on. It is something that we all pity, or minimize. "Oh, chin up, you'll feel better in the morning!" Have you said that to someone, or even worse, have you heard it from the ones that you love?

Each and every day, we come across people that will affect us in some way. the vagrant on the street talking to himself, the drug addict who is simply trying to stop the noises in her head. Generally, we cross the street, don't we? Our child becomes aggressive, and we can't figure out why. When a love one commits suicide, we are left to figure out what went wrong. It makes no sense. WHY DIDN'T THEY GET HELP?

Let me tell you why? The help, it's not always there. We can fool ourselves into thinking that there are supports out there to meet the needs of everyone who is suffering, but the reality is, we fall short, very short, of having that be a reality.

Many people do not have a voice. Joanne cannot speak, therefore she relies on us to figure it out. Someone suffering form a mental illness, whether they know it or not, also needs someone to speak for them. Someone needs to care, to learn and understand who these people are, so that they can identify changes in behaviors, in attitudes.

The Royal Ottawa Hospital has come out with this incredible campaign to raise funds for their programs. Daniel Alfredson is the face to the campaign. his sister suffers from a mental illness. I strongly encourage all of you to check out the website:

http://www.youknowwhoiam.com/

Raise your voice for those who do not have one. Do not fear these people, try to understand and love them. No matter how hard it can be. As a christian I am supposed to love others, Just as Christ loves me. Our example, Jesus Christ, DIED For US! He did not come hear to teach a select few, he came to heal us all. We are all chosen by God, but those of us who accept him as our Savior have an extra responsibility to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. We should not judge or fear.

Perhaps there is something that you can do in your community. Maybe, just Maybe, it's as simple as a smile to the stranger in front of you. Who knows, that smile may have just saved a life! Remember, they are all human beings, and most of them just want to be "normal". Living in pain, is not living. Being loved, for who they are, is abundance.

Jo's hip will be taken care of, let's make sure that others also get the care, love and support services they need. Let's face it, that person may very well be you. Do something.....