Constant Vigilance

On Sunday March 9, 2014, the New York Times published an article titled "The Boys In The Bunkhouse". It is a horrific story of men with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were abused and exploited working on a turkey farm and processing plant in Atalissa, Iowa. These men had been through state systems set up to support and protect people with intellectual disabilities in Texas. The story can be read and seen here. As I said, it's horrific what occurred to these men but everyone should be aware of it and understand how systems fail people all the time. So read it and pass it on to others. It's critically important that people understand how systems sometimes fall apart.

Reading this story what strikes me the most is the need for constant vigilance, especially where vulnerable people are concerned - people with disabilities, the frail elderly, children, the poor and disadvantaged. You see, our world doesn't lack people who will take advantage and abuse vulnerable people. It's a sad but true fact. Someone always slips through no matter how much checking is done.

The other thing that strikes me is that we need to recognize and understand that vulnerable people are vulnerable. Changing their location, their program or the people who support them doesn't change their vulnerability. Most of the men from the bunkhouse live today in nursing homes, all of which are regulated. How safe are they now? Safer then they were, I'm sure, but bad situations can happen in nursing homes or anywhere else. We must be vigilant and we must recognize vulnerability.

In New York State we have seen our share of abuses. Willowbrook as an institutional name has gone down into history as a symbol of change. The system of supports for people with intellectual disabilities in NYS has become more community based as a result. That hasn't come without other abuses. Systems have become spread out and accountability sometimes has been lacking. But the type of support, in the community, has been wonderful for thousands of people and families.

In a quest to save money, systems continue to change. Managed care for long term supports is planned and toyed with. I don't happen to believe this is the right approach. Living in a home in a community is very different from a physical health issue that needs treatment in a health care setting. Community supports are being opened to a larger base of providers and family members themselves or even to individuals that are being hired by people who need support. Be vigilant. Saving money and responding to problems with more regulations is the way many governments operate. Is any of this really in the best interest of people who need support. Be vigilant.

The fact of the matter is that the good usually does outweigh the bad but when the bad happens, it tends to be really bad. All of us need to know how to identify the difference and how to maintain all of the good that takes place everyday. Reactive policies are usually the result of someone's  need to cover their rear end, reputation, job or reelection. But there are heroes everyday, supporting people, identifying better ways to support people and managing systems that sometimes defy management. Being vigilant and recognizing that some people are more vulnerable then others is a big job and requires all of us. Read 'The Boys In The Bunkhouse' and you'll realize how big the job really is.