Thread: please spare a thought...

Originally Posted by justinc

Its less than 3 degrees outside here, and no doubt below freezing in the ACT and parts of NSW and Vic at the moment.

I'm about to have a warm shower, with my electric blanket warming the bed in a warm house, I would like to draw everyones attention to those who are doing it tough without shelter and warmth right now, this minute.

There are way too many who have absolutely no way of keeping warm and safe at this time of year, a sad indictment of the times we are living in.

JC

Did you spare a dollar JC? you can always turn the blanky off and donate to the salvo's with what you save

I'ts sad that in a wealthy country like ours there are people out on the streets, often from no fault of themselves.

I wonder if the boat people in the detention centres who riot and burn down their habitats provided to protect them from the elements could spare a thought for those Australian that were here before them and haven't got their luxuries of a roof over their head or a bed to sleep in safely.

I have worked Melbourne CBD in the darkness hours , in the winter on cold rainy or foggy nights and there were heaps of homeless souls freezing. Unfortunately a lot have become so adapted in their ways or have mental problems that the no longer fit into society. It can be hard if not impossible to turn their ways around. It's SAD

yes it is sad what modern life can produce.
I have clients who live in a several million dollar house, drive a Bently v12 two door for the wife taxi, own a chain of convenience stores, and throw their unwanted furniture into the recent floods and take pictures of it. They critique and pass wisdom on all who work on their house; and she seems to be paranoid of what others think of her. They have insurance, they have money, they are very insular from the negatives in life but too me they are sad, in so many ways.
For a while the wife and I did the drug arm run in the nights around Brisbane inner city. As mentioned below many have mental conditions that hinder how they interact with society, but generally they also seem happy with there lot in life. They are also very grateful for a chat, and receive a bun, coffee, or clothing if the wish.
We made biscuits and cakes for them one Xmas and went calling. The looks of disbelief, confusion, and happiness was a good experience for both of us.

It seems unfortunately for many, the more you have, the less you have.

Once upon a time mental hospitals provided defacto shelters for poor people with mental problems, but the accountants took over, the low level mental hospitals were shut down and the people were turfed out to shift for themselves, with some empty promises of help from governments for services which have never been properly funded to have any chance of meeting the real need. This in a country which could easily afford to house everyone. Economic rationalism results in homelesness. Do we really care? - probably not, judging from the results.

Not really mick, thats what happens when the bean counters are allowed to ru(i)n things......

yeh I am concerned, but have almost given up caring. Maybe I am too judgemental, or just dumb, but I lay blame on politicians a lot. They are the sharp end of policy and direction for society. They say they do what the people want, but I see it as they do what they want, mostly for their egos, superanuation packages, and keeping their beloved party in power.

There is no money in mental health, it's all outgoing. Thats why a suicide rate of 1 a day in Qld which affects far more people than the road toll is not reported. Can take flashy pictures for revenue with mental health.

I would like to know if there is a heating system in the Australian jails.
It would not surprise me if the inmates are better of than many low income workers in their homes or caravans for that matter

Working in the Ambulance service I just switch off,like all stories there is two sides and I don't want to sound negative but there is more to it than just people being poor or mistreated.It is shamefull that our government can not only spend but write off billions in defence for an example when mental health desperately needs it. Pat