Please enjoy the silent beauty of our garden on this Wordless Wednesday. Meditate on Nature. Grace, Peace & Blessings.
Author: dancingpalmtrees
An African/Native American Queen, Wordsmith, Photographer, Free Spirit and Teacher.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Bathrooms or Outhouses
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Bathrooms or Outhouses
This series I call Odd Twists meaning we are looking for the bizarre and the common things we don’t always take photos of. This week the topic is Bathrooms or Outhouses. Some fancy hotels and restaurants can have the most beautiful bathrooms. Go see what interesting things you can come up with in your own bathroom, any bathroom or bathroom fixture. See how creative you can get on this challenge. Use your imagination for this theme. The thing is to have a lot of fun with this challenge.
Go through you photo archives and see what photos you have that fits the current week’s challenge, or better yet grab you camera and take a new photo! ENJOY and have FUN.
Balancing the Budget on the Backs of Our Most Vulnerable Populations
This is an expanded post based statements I made on yesterday’s Share Your World.
Budget cuts for Our Most Vulnerable Populations
I Love and Enjoy attending Stephen’s meeting and seeing him. The news about all the layoffs and cutbacks due to lack of funding was depressing. Less and less services and programs for Stephen and the other residents.
The art program has been completely cut. Stephen enjoys art and making drawings, ceramics, etc…. He is no longer going out to as many work-sites because New York State has not provided funding to pay staff to take him to his job sites. Stephen used to attend a special camp for Adults with Autism but that got cut also. So you see my 3 days off was not relaxing in the least bit.
Developmentally Disabled citizens are being kicked to the curb because our American government no longer cares. Many professionals and family members are worried that this is a return to the warehousing of developmentally disabled people that was the norm in the 50s, 60s & 70s. Those of you old enough will remember Willowbrook and the scandal that reporter Geraldo Rivero exposed at that house of horrors.
When Geraldo Rivero went inside the Willowbrook facility he found resident rocking back and forth let in their own waste, feces, & urine. Residents were beaten by their often overworked, untrained supposed care-givers. So for those of you who criticise the Media TV Reporters think again. If it were not for investigative reporters hundreds if not thousands of Autism/Special Needs/Developmentally Disabled people would be crying out in pain. Crying into a void because nobody listens. So give your support to the Good and Reliable Media/TV Reporters. Often they are God’s Angels in disguise.
Keep in mind that staff who are overworked and underpaid often make mistakes. However these mistakes put disabled people at risk.
When our parents died I took up the mantle. Even before their deaths I was very much involved in caring for my brother Stephen. I still do my best but it is difficult for me to keep up with what is going on at his Residence and Training School. Especially since I work full-time. Plus I’m getting older. My body has aches, pains and disabilities now that I did not have 15 or 20 years ago. Even going up and down the subway stairs is a challenge. I get tired more easily and I’m starting to slow down.
My desire is to do more for Stephen but I don’t know how. I do call and email my elected officials because I cannot be with Stephen 24/7/365. Still I feel that guilt. Always asking God How can I be a better Sister to Stephen. Many days I’m at my wits end.
I wish I was rich and wealthy so I could donate money to hire more staff and return the arts, camps, work-site/work readiness programs that make the lives those with developmental disabilities fulfilling.
Not only will I be once again writing, calling and texting our elected officials I’m thinking of getting in touch with Caroline Kennedy, President John Kennedy’s daughter. Those of you born and raised in the U.S.A. already know that President Kennedy’s Sister Rosemary Kennedy was born with developmental and intellectual disabilities probably due to a lack of oxygen to the brain during birth. Most Americans are familiar with the Special Olympics begun by Ethel Kennedy.
Here is an old post of mine to give you more information regarding Rosemary Kennedy.
Stephen is a kind, compassion, loving, giving human being who is always concerned for his fellow human beings. Sadly New York has a huge homeless populations. At night homeless people sleep in cardboard boxes on the streets in all types of weather. Many live inside the subway stations that includes the platforms as well as inside the subway cars.
I remember one time while we were riding the subway a disabled homeless man began to cry. Stephen was about to get up out of his seat because he wanted so much to help this poor man. If Stephen sees a blind or wheelchair person in distress he will go over to them. Stephen cannot stand to see other people suffer. His attitude is always, “I can help. Please let me help you.” Stephen helps me tremendously when I’m feeling down and does so without judgment because being judgmental or critical of hurting people is a foreign concept to him. If an Autism Guy can give of himself to help others why can’t the American government do the same? How can City, State and Federal elected officials continue to enact polices that put ALL Disabled populations at risk?
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/aabr
https://dancingpalmtrees.com/2017/07/08/aabr-donation-opportunity/
http://www.queenscp.org/how-you-can-help/donations/
Remember that All Human Beings Have Value and worth. Everyone Deserves a Fulfilling, Happy and Joyful Life no matter their disability. An opportunity to fulfill their passions and purpose. A chance to express their creativity. We must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Share Your World – July 10, 2017
https://ceenphotography.com/2017/07/10/share-your-world-july-10-2017/
Share Your World – July 10, 2017
How do you like to spend a rainy day?
Inside. Rain is bad for my arthritis. Creates more pain. If it rains on a work day or if I have a meeting to attend then I just grin and bare the pain and pass out when I get home. Joint pain is no fun so rain is not my friend.
List at least five favorite treats. (They do not have to be sugary).
Plantain chips
Blueberry muffins
Egg and American cheese on a cinnamon raisin bagel
Italian ices
Yogurt
Where’s your favorite place to take out-of-town guests?
I never have out of town guests but I remember when I was a young girl and my family from Ohio came to New York either my Dad or myself would take them to the famous New York sites. Empire State building and all those touristy places I don’t like. I suppose if someone were to visit me and I had the vacation time to spend with them we’d be going to all the New York Museums which I can get in for Free since I am employed by a NY Museum.
You are trapped in an elevator, who would you want to be trapped with?
That’s something I don’t even want to entertain since it has happened on my job. Not to me but to my co-workers. I have a fear of enclosed places with no escape which is bad because one of my duties when there is a special exhibition opening is to operate the elevator. I know my bosses can see me pacing back and forth inside the elevator. Scary. Ugh. This scenario is a Trigger for my nerves. Reminds me of when I was trapped underground in the subway for over an hour last Jan when the train hit a guy on the tracks. Suicide victim. Horrible.
Given that I have high blood pressure, anxiety and panic attacks I’d pick Jesus because only Jesus could get the elevators to work or take me to Heaven in case I have a heart attack or stroke.
Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I got to see Stephen. I had planned for a relaxing three 3 day weekend but that did not happen. The only good part was attending Stephen’s meeting and seeing him. The news about all the layoffs and cutbacks due to lack of funding was depressing. Less and less services and programs for Stephen and the other residents.
The art program has been completely cut. Stephen enjoys art and making drawings, ceramics, etc…. He is no longer going out to as many work-sites because New York State has not provided funding to pay staff to take him to his job sites. Stephen used to attend a special camp for Adults with Autism but that got cut also. So you see my 3 days off was not relaxing in the least bit.
Developmentally Disabled citizens are being kicked to the curb because our American government no longer cares. Many professionals and family members are worried that this is a return to the warehousing of developmentally disabled people that was the norm in the 50s, 60s & 70s. Those of you old enough will remember Willowbrook and the scandal that reporter Geraldo Rivero exposed at that house of horrors.
I wish I was rich and wealthy so I could donate money to hire more staff and return the arts, camps, work-site/work readiness programs that make the lives those with developmental disabilities fulfilling.
Secrets of a Decaying Socialite
Secrets of a Decaying Socialite
Broken is who and what I am. Every day I see the pieces of my armor falling to the floor. I am that tragic secret whispered among the thorns. An embalmed mannequin morphing into a rotting corpse. A piece of trash waiting for Sanitation to pick me up and deposit me on the refuse heap. The Reaper comes for his Harvest as the Char Man makes his daily delivery to Sanford & Son. Elizabeth I’ll see you soon.
Homicide
When did the explosion happen? Who knows? Because I think it was really an implosion. Being a Nightmare waiting to be born. Somebody put a dent in my universe which I don’t know how to repair.
Save your prayers. Save Your Prayers for stones on the ground. Each prayer causes me to die a little each second of every day. Wash away the guilt and shame so embedded that you need to kill parts of your brain to live.
Documenta Dementia.
Let me go back to the nobody I’ve always been. One with nothing to prove.
I am not mortar and stone. I am bubbling flesh bursting at the seams. In my dreams I’m someone else. Somebody else. An important person. A person with a mission, passion and purpose. Going up in the air ready to crash into the next mountain peak. Brought low. Brought back to earth. Reality.
Birthing a mummified child. Dear Dead One How long were you within me? He just kept stabbing at my web of lies whilst becoming entangled within its sticky threads. Pain Follows even to the most secret hiding places.
Thank you and please enjoy my Triggers.
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 