I have to go call my birthday brother. Interestingly, of the seven of us children, this is the earliest birthday of the year. My mom’s birthday was earlier in May and my dad’s in April, but we have to wait till mid-May to start celebrating our birthdays. My late June one is the second of ours, and with eight months to choose from, only two got into the same month. One would have had his own month had he been born just one day earlier, so we barely missed September and we did miss November.
Speaking of the mental illness challenges in this country, and we were, sometime. And the homeless problem. We think we have identified one contributor:
In the eighties, mental institutions were shut down with the idea that families, with support, could do a better job, which actually makes sense. However, forty years later, many are living out on the street.
My husband, with a Masters degree in business and fifty years of successfully filling out paperwork for self, family, Navy, College, Army, public school, Olympics, church, VFW, etc, is now overwhelmed with the paperwork needed for supporting one mentally ill adult, with two more in the works. Unbelievable the amount of paperwork to support one person. Not to mention the requirements for meetings, zoom calls, arrangements of this and that. Throw in the requirements for autonomy for the person you are trying to help. It is no wonder so many end up on the street.
And once they’re on the streets, they can’t get off or move. Here where I live, assuming you could scrape together enough funds to go to a cheaper state with cheaper housing, cheaper food, cheaper everything, you’d start over again at the bottom of the housing list, would have to go through all that paperwork for medical care (if offered), food assistance, and all the rest.
People simply get trapped.
I’m so sorry, Mumsee. I often think to myself, “I can’t figure this government paperwork out, and my brain still sort-of works. How can others with any sort of impairment, lack of access to a computer, etc, do it?”
Some would argue it’s time for the church to step up–but where is the church? It’s just as beleagured as everything else.
But each of us is a small light, a haven for the Holy Spirit, blessed with some gifts and the ability to see needs.
Help Mike, Lord, and all the rest of us work our way through modern times.
Art filled out a pile of paperwork for me this morning to get a procedure at a new to me location. Now they want pre-registration filled out ahead of the appointment online and then when you get there, a redo of it all, because sometimes the online does not work. Double trouble.
Great to see your Mom’s pic with family for Mother’s Day on Facebook. All those years ago she was so happy to have you around the time of Mother’s Day. Sweet to consider❤
I am grateful for the support groups for the mentally ill. I think my BIL (other than the Lord’s will) would have still been alive except for the Covid shutdown. Trying to diagnose or keep track of health over the phone was not good.
.BTW, his pastor was a fantastic support person and his church very loving and supportive.
Mental health help for those with children is especially challenging. The meds are not often tested for that group. Rooms are often not available.
I had blood work done this morning and my thyroid is quite a bit often. This does not surprise me. I told my doctor last December that it would be off. Not that she listened. In fact, she told me I wouldn’t be tested again for a year. (I had been tested every three months for a while.) So, I waited for the yearly exam (which will actually be on Friday) to talk about it again. Meanwhile, I have felt like crap and will now have to wait until it slowly returns to normal after I change the meds again. Why, oh why, will doctors not listen?
I put on 3lbs. The warden isn’t happy about that. I’m indifferent.
My hip has been killing me all weekend and this week, which has limited my mobility. Prayers would be appreciated. I need to be moving and getting exercise.
Happy Birthday, AJ! And glad the “drain” is out but I’m sorry it hurt so much. 😦
I need to take off some more weight with this new knee challenge — hoping PT and shots will help, but wondering also about getting one of those temporary handicapped placards in the meantime. I have a work assignment tomorrow where nearby parking will probably be impossible. Can’t drive with the bulky knee brace, so will have to get by with the knee sleeve.
Didn’t think I’d be going through all of this again so soon. But glad I only have 2 knees? Sigh.
Yes, Dj, consider how it would be if we were spiders with eight legs and knee joints! Art has the placard and we use it all the time. We got it when I had the daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks. We use it at church in that big lot.
Wandering Views 
Happy Birthday AJ!!! 🎂🎂🎂
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Happy Birthday, AJ!
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Happy Birthday, AJ. And a happy day to everyone. 😉
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Good morning all, from a beautiful sunshine day in Idaho. And happy birthday the real.
mumsee
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It’s AJ’s birthday? May is a great month to have a birthday.
Have a great birthday, AJ!
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Happy Birthday, AJ!
I have to go call my birthday brother. Interestingly, of the seven of us children, this is the earliest birthday of the year. My mom’s birthday was earlier in May and my dad’s in April, but we have to wait till mid-May to start celebrating our birthdays. My late June one is the second of ours, and with eight months to choose from, only two got into the same month. One would have had his own month had he been born just one day earlier, so we barely missed September and we did miss November.
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Today is also one adult son’s birthday and in a couple of weeks, youngest son turns eighteen. Good birthday month.
mumsee
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Speaking of the mental illness challenges in this country, and we were, sometime. And the homeless problem. We think we have identified one contributor:
In the eighties, mental institutions were shut down with the idea that families, with support, could do a better job, which actually makes sense. However, forty years later, many are living out on the street.
My husband, with a Masters degree in business and fifty years of successfully filling out paperwork for self, family, Navy, College, Army, public school, Olympics, church, VFW, etc, is now overwhelmed with the paperwork needed for supporting one mentally ill adult, with two more in the works. Unbelievable the amount of paperwork to support one person. Not to mention the requirements for meetings, zoom calls, arrangements of this and that. Throw in the requirements for autonomy for the person you are trying to help. It is no wonder so many end up on the street.
mumsee
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And once they’re on the streets, they can’t get off or move. Here where I live, assuming you could scrape together enough funds to go to a cheaper state with cheaper housing, cheaper food, cheaper everything, you’d start over again at the bottom of the housing list, would have to go through all that paperwork for medical care (if offered), food assistance, and all the rest.
People simply get trapped.
I’m so sorry, Mumsee. I often think to myself, “I can’t figure this government paperwork out, and my brain still sort-of works. How can others with any sort of impairment, lack of access to a computer, etc, do it?”
Some would argue it’s time for the church to step up–but where is the church? It’s just as beleagured as everything else.
But each of us is a small light, a haven for the Holy Spirit, blessed with some gifts and the ability to see needs.
Help Mike, Lord, and all the rest of us work our way through modern times.
In and with Jesus’ name and wisdom! Amen.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Art filled out a pile of paperwork for me this morning to get a procedure at a new to me location. Now they want pre-registration filled out ahead of the appointment online and then when you get there, a redo of it all, because sometimes the online does not work. Double trouble.
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Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday, AJ!
Great to see your Mom’s pic with family for Mother’s Day on Facebook. All those years ago she was so happy to have you around the time of Mother’s Day. Sweet to consider❤
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I am grateful for the support groups for the mentally ill. I think my BIL (other than the Lord’s will) would have still been alive except for the Covid shutdown. Trying to diagnose or keep track of health over the phone was not good.
.BTW, his pastor was a fantastic support person and his church very loving and supportive.
Mental health help for those with children is especially challenging. The meds are not often tested for that group. Rooms are often not available.
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Happy birthday to AJ.
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I had blood work done this morning and my thyroid is quite a bit often. This does not surprise me. I told my doctor last December that it would be off. Not that she listened. In fact, she told me I wouldn’t be tested again for a year. (I had been tested every three months for a while.) So, I waited for the yearly exam (which will actually be on Friday) to talk about it again. Meanwhile, I have felt like crap and will now have to wait until it slowly returns to normal after I change the meds again. Why, oh why, will doctors not listen?
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I just returned from the Dr.
He removed the last drain from my midsection, which has been there since Dec. 15th.
It hurt like…. crazy. It felt like it had become attached internally in a couple of places. But it’s out, and I’m happy about that.
Allen
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I put on 3lbs. The warden isn’t happy about that. I’m indifferent.
My hip has been killing me all weekend and this week, which has limited my mobility. Prayers would be appreciated. I need to be moving and getting exercise.
Allen
LikeLiked by 5 people
Happy Birthday, AJ! And glad the “drain” is out but I’m sorry it hurt so much. 😦
I need to take off some more weight with this new knee challenge — hoping PT and shots will help, but wondering also about getting one of those temporary handicapped placards in the meantime. I have a work assignment tomorrow where nearby parking will probably be impossible. Can’t drive with the bulky knee brace, so will have to get by with the knee sleeve.
Didn’t think I’d be going through all of this again so soon. But glad I only have 2 knees? Sigh.
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Aj, in spite of the pain, that is still a glorious way to celebrate to get rid of the last drain
may you now celebrate and enjoy the day of your birth!
jo
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Happy birthday, and congrats on the good news, AJ!
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Prayers for AJ, and Dj.
So thankful the drain is out, AJ!
Yes, Dj, consider how it would be if we were spiders with eight legs and knee joints! Art has the placard and we use it all the time. We got it when I had the daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks. We use it at church in that big lot.
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Yay, I can embed.
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Happy birthday, Aj, and I’m so glad the drain is out.
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Thank you all for the birthday wishes. Cheryl and I went out and had a nice lunch at a favorite restaurant of ours.
I got some clothes too… and candy.
But the best gift was probably the drain coming out despite the pain.
Allen
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Happy birthday, AJ. Wishing you a year of good health.
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