Disability and Unemployment

Working at a facility that is state funded, I come across individuals that have no means of paying for their stay at an inpatient unit (let alone pay for their prescribed meds). Upon many assessments, I have asked patients if they will go back to a job or if they will try to find one after discharge. Up until this point (which has only been 2 months) I have yet to have someone is able to go back to work. Here are the excuses:

• I have a mental disability that inhibits me to maintain a job (i.e. schizophrenia, psychosis, drug induced mood disorders, borderline personality, etc.)
• If I get a job, then the government won't pay me unemployment, so I can't have a job. No job, get meds. Have job, buy meds yourself.
• Why should I get a job? My mom gets welfare and I am living with her, we are doing ok. There is no reason I need a job when we get paid by the government anyway.

Does this not make you angry? I understand excuse #1; there are people so ill that they will be unable to have a job even if they tried (i.e. responding to internal stimuli, having hallucinations that can impair judgement, etc.). However, excuses #2 and #3 make me so angry...not at the patients, but at the government!

I'll break it down for you. The government says "Hey, it looks like you can't work because your diagnosed with a mental disorder. We'll save you! We'll tax the middle-class and upper-class society in order for you to stay home all day and have as much benzos, anti-depressants, and hallucinagens as you need." Don't let me say, don't let me say it....ahh, pity...WE'RE GOING TO REDISTRIBUTE THE WEALTH. Everything is equal here.

Does this sound fair?!? Let me tell you, if there is anyone who has a heart to help these people, it's me. I want to work with them and help them make decisions to choose the right way in their recovery. But we can't allow the government to give them a crutch! They will fall down again and again knowing that they will never hit rock bottom. Are you as angry as I am? I hope so.

What can we do? VOTE! Do not raise taxes of any sort. Even if they make you believe "But it's for the children". That's a load a crap. Here's a way to help the children...Vote for education vouchers to be given to any citizen in order to either send their child to a better school, private school tuition payments, or home school financing. Freedom of choice. I think I remember reading that in the Constitution somewhere.

Comment if you will. Call me a conservative red neck, who holds onto her religion and guns. But remember, it's your money.

Jen

Ideas for Ruby

I was on my long run on Saturday: it was 10 miles, so I had plenty of time to think. My mind wondered off to what the Ruby Center will be like. Of course, my end goal is to have a private facility in the middle of the wilderness with hired nutritionists, doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, gym, kitchen, group rooms, residential rooms, and the cherry on top. However, I was reminded that I can't really come from nothing to this elaborate facility.

I thought about my sister and how she just got her yoga certification and wants to seek an education in wholistic nutrition. I thought of friends who want to be counselors and social workers and help women and men with eating disorders. Then it hit me.

I could get a small space in the area, but make it more like a gym than a doctors office. Members would sign up on a monthly fee to use our resources like yoga sessions, nutrition classes, group music therapy, individual therapy or social work sessions, individual nutrition planning, and the list could go on. We could even have gym machines and hire on a sports fitness associate or physical therapist to map out workout routines.

This would be less threatening than going to appointments and they wouldn't have to worry about insurance (but that could change); instead, they would pay the fee as if they were to pay for a gym membership (which most of them probably do anyway). I'm super excited, but I want to know if this is a good idea or not. There could many things I am not taking into consideration at this point.

Share with me your ideas. I want to know if this could have a chance.

Blessings,

Jen

Ideas for Ruby

I was on my long run on Saturday: it was 10 miles, so I had plenty of time to think. My mind wondered off to what the Ruby Center will be like. Of course, my end goal is to have a private facility in the middle of the wilderness with hired nutritionists, doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, gym, kitchen, group rooms, residential rooms, and the cherry on top. However, I was reminded that I can't really come from nothing to this elaborate facility.

I thought about my sister and how she just got her yoga certification and wants to seek an education in wholistic nutrition. I thought of friends who want to be counselors and social workers and help women and men with eating disorders. Then it hit me.

I could get a small space in the area, but make it more like a gym than a doctors office. Members would sign up on a monthly fee to use our resources like yoga sessions, nutrition classes, group music therapy, individual therapy or social work sessions, individual nutrition planning, and the list could go on. We could even have gym machines and hire on a sports fitness associate or physical therapist to map out workout routines.

This would be less threatening than going to appointments and they wouldn't have to worry about insurance (but that could change); instead, they would pay the fee as if they were to pay for a gym membership (which most of them probably do anyway). I'm super excited, but I want to know if this is a good idea or not. There could many things I am not taking into consideration at this point.

Share with me your ideas. I want to know if this could have a chance.

Blessings,

Jen

Trial and Growth

Yesterday, my supervisor and I went up to rehab like any other day. We usually do a few assessments and evals that consist of the person answering questions in a half-conscience state. From head injury, stroke, double stroke, malpractice surgery (yep, it happens!). Most patients often develop depression after having a major event listed above. Which is pretty likely because in a matter of hours what you could once do you can no longer do then relearn everything you once knew (does that make sense?).

This was not a normal assessment. The patient (without giving away too much info due to privacy) did not have many things going for her. She suffered from four strokes in a matter of a week. That sucks.

We arrive in her room and you could feel the power of the Holy Spirit residing there. She was in a joyful mood despite one side of her body being totally paralyzed. She lost her speech, but found out she was able to regain about 85% of it in a matter of a week. Her story was touching. Raising a family in a bad neighborhood, wanting to get better so she can provide for them and make sure they go to school.

During the entire interview, she was praising the Lord for providing her another chance; knowing that He will make her better than she was before the stroke. Her faith was huge and she couldn't help but share it with us.

I thought I had a sucky week with getting bad news after bad news. But, you know, in the long run, that bad news I received won't matter next week. It's nothing to get my panties tied up in a knot about. I'm not saying it's insignificant, what I am saying is that there is nothing to big that God can't go through with you. Isn't this how we learn? Trial then growth.

What this lady is going through is difficult, but she called out to Jesus to save her...and He comforted her with His promises. He can comfort all of us with His promises.

Jen

What's a Ruby Worth?

Proverbs 31:10 says "For an excellent wife who can find for her worth is far greater than rubies."