Disheartened and disillusioned
It has been a long time since I have written here and that is because there has been absolutely nothing to update that has been on a positive note. There are many organizations out there who receive public funding from our government, touting they offer services for persons with intellectual disabilities; "inspire and create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities", but we have yet to see any thing available. In truth it is all rhetoric.
Here we are two years after high school graduation and reaching out to so many of these organizations to find purpose for our son, (who is high functioning intellectually delayed person) and do you know what has become of all the interaction with these organizations? NOTHING. It is heartbreaking beyond belief. My son has nothing to look forward to or purpose for his day to even get out of bed.
I think it is high time these organizations become publicly accountable for what they are ACTUALLY doing (with the funding) and not what they SAY they are doing. They receive donations and grants from government level as well as good hearted people who believe they are making a difference to the lives of the intellectually delayed, helping to level the playing field for genuine opportunities to be a part of community. Well, it just ain't so!!
We live in the greater HRM region, and there has been nothing, NOTHING, come to fruition with reaching out to NSACL and HACL. There is no social interaction opportunities let alone get to work programs, yet both of these organizations claim to do both. I have been beating the bushes and trees looking for ways that my son CAN be part of community and opportunity to involve him in a program or job that gives him purpose to get out bed in the morning. Something to look forward to in socializing and interacting with others, meet new people. There just do not seem to be any of that out there!!
I have always been a "determined to find a way" kind of person who doesn't just take "NO" for an answer. Well, it looks like this is one of those times that "NO" is the answer and until ones reality is that of a person (or family member) with an intellectual delay, and looking from the inside out, it looks like things are all good. Things are not what they appear on the surface. And it is disillusionment, smoke and mirrors to make the ignorant believe things are being done and accomplished on the INCLUSION front.
That has not been our experience. Not at all. The saddest part is that our son has much to offer, just needs the playing field leveled a bit. We do not have the money to do that. Our son's mental health suffers because of that...everyone needs to feel like the fit in somewhere. He wants to so badly, but it is not his reality and none of these organizations do what they are claiming!!!
I aim to bring light to this matter, glaringly so. Not sure how, yet. But I will. Trust me. Why should our tax dollars go to these unhelpful places? Anyone can post links to OTHER websites, for FREE. These organizations receive your tax dollars to it while the people they claim to help are no further ahead. It is time to be accountable!
Here we are two years after high school graduation and reaching out to so many of these organizations to find purpose for our son, (who is high functioning intellectually delayed person) and do you know what has become of all the interaction with these organizations? NOTHING. It is heartbreaking beyond belief. My son has nothing to look forward to or purpose for his day to even get out of bed.
I think it is high time these organizations become publicly accountable for what they are ACTUALLY doing (with the funding) and not what they SAY they are doing. They receive donations and grants from government level as well as good hearted people who believe they are making a difference to the lives of the intellectually delayed, helping to level the playing field for genuine opportunities to be a part of community. Well, it just ain't so!!
We live in the greater HRM region, and there has been nothing, NOTHING, come to fruition with reaching out to NSACL and HACL. There is no social interaction opportunities let alone get to work programs, yet both of these organizations claim to do both. I have been beating the bushes and trees looking for ways that my son CAN be part of community and opportunity to involve him in a program or job that gives him purpose to get out bed in the morning. Something to look forward to in socializing and interacting with others, meet new people. There just do not seem to be any of that out there!!
I have always been a "determined to find a way" kind of person who doesn't just take "NO" for an answer. Well, it looks like this is one of those times that "NO" is the answer and until ones reality is that of a person (or family member) with an intellectual delay, and looking from the inside out, it looks like things are all good. Things are not what they appear on the surface. And it is disillusionment, smoke and mirrors to make the ignorant believe things are being done and accomplished on the INCLUSION front.
That has not been our experience. Not at all. The saddest part is that our son has much to offer, just needs the playing field leveled a bit. We do not have the money to do that. Our son's mental health suffers because of that...everyone needs to feel like the fit in somewhere. He wants to so badly, but it is not his reality and none of these organizations do what they are claiming!!!
I aim to bring light to this matter, glaringly so. Not sure how, yet. But I will. Trust me. Why should our tax dollars go to these unhelpful places? Anyone can post links to OTHER websites, for FREE. These organizations receive your tax dollars to it while the people they claim to help are no further ahead. It is time to be accountable!