For people w disabilities and their families: this is why i do what I do

Listen to Scott's story about 5 minutes into "This American Life"....it is the heart-breaking reality for parents of children with developmental disabilities in our country.....1,700 alone on waiting lists here in Shelby County!!

Also, here's what I sent to Oprah (who would only accept 2000 characters typed--i spaced it out a bit so it wouldn't be too difficult to read here):

I have been a professional fundraiser for nearly 20 years--playing a key role in raising nearly $20 million for worthy causes. I live to RAISE money so that I can help make this a better world. Currently I work for the largest agency in Tennessee that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers. I am very concerned about the future of care for people with intellectual disabilities in our country.

Nearly 9.3 million people (approx. 3% of the population) in the US have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). According to the ARC, “of the 2.8 million with a developmental disability living with a family caregiver, 716,212 individuals are being cared for by someone over 60-years-old.” ARC says there are nearly 300,000 people with intellectual disabilities currently on waiting lists that average 8-10 years in length.

In Memphis, TN there are nearly 1,700 people with IDD on our waiting list and my agency urgently wants to serve this need but we must raise funds to accomplish this. While our private fundraising efforts have been modestly successful, and hopefully will alleviate the waiting list of 600 people in the next year; advocates for people w IDD do not have the money and clout to persuade their legislators to adequately plan for the future of thousands of people w IDD in our country.

While autism has been highlighted recently; there are many others who require specialized care and are dependent upon their families or caregivers for their entire lives. This will become a costly burden on our society as the baby boomers become unable to care for their adult children with IDD.

This is truly part of the health care crisis that has been overlooked-especially considering that these adults with disabilities will have no place to turn when their elderly parents are unable to care for them at home.

i take friendship seriously...

...that's just how i roll.

life really is good, but sometimes you wish for better

things bugging me right now:

1. Worried that the values of "keeping up with the Jones" and "avoiding my child's temper tantrum at ANY cost" are taking over as more important in our society than the old fashioned values of "teaching respect, caring, doing unto others as you would have done unto you, loving one another as I have loved you, etc.". Where are we headed when families care more about their personal happiness than the rest of the world's? Why are people so self-absorbed and self-centered?

And I know it's not everyone, just seems like this "bunch" is taking over the majority of societal norms when bullying is spiraling out of control in our schools and more and more children WHINE way too long past the age of THREE!!!!

2. Worried that the older generation thinks my generation is a bunch of lazy do-nothings who may be smart, but are too lazy to work as hard as the older generation did. Worried they think their quality of life will decline based upon their perception that my generation "expects" or feels entitled to having a strong family life and being home to raise our kids. There may be a little truth in the "laziness" perception b/c I see it in the workforce where people do NOT give 100% and expect to advance or to be rewarded....but this idea that we are lazy b/c we just want a healthier family life is kind of out-dated thinking.

More on some of these thoughts later. I need to get ready for church but just wanted to get these things off my mind for now.

Lastly, on a positive note....I'm feeling MUCH better than the near possible heart attack I thought I was having on Friday morning (chest pains and disorientation). I was extremely crabby and irritable on Friday. I thought it was stress finally coming home to "roost" but it was only my monthly friend Flo announcing her arrival...thank god I wasn't having a nervous breakdown, but GEESH sometimes it really stinks to have to deal with the emotional roller-coaster of hormones!! I'm pretty sure this is why men and women fight b/c there's no way a man can understand the affect that hormones have on the psyche of a woman. It's a good thing Chris was out of town...bad thing my kids had a low-tolerance mommy for about 24 hours!

Happy Sunday -- the SUN is out again for another glorious Autumn day!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PEACE!!