Mary Caruso

 Ok, So I have taken all these beautiful photos at work the past few weeks and have been so excited about actually working and being able to share my gratitude with everyone for being able to love my work, and appreciate my boss (and dear friend)  and just enjoy my clients and…….WHAM!  the carpet gets pulled out from under me when I get a phone call from one of the girls counselors from one of the state agencies that they deal with. Now I think I have kept all the posts positive.  AND I do not want to use this blog as a negative sounding board, I really try to live life in a positive way!  Do I?  I will defer to those around me to answer that question! Then maybe I should heed my mom’s word and not say anything if it isn’t good?  NOPE…….got to do it.

 I am so disappointed to find that when you deal with an agency because you fit the criteria, then you try really hard to work as a team, you know…. pull your weight!  Hold your own! Not expect just a handout! Treat others as you would like to be treated! Then you recieve blateant disrespect in return!  How do you hold your head up and hold on to that sense of dignity?

Well without naming any names………I am just have to tell  ”our side of the story”. Because there are always two sides.

Alex has been battling with an agency to be picked up as a client.  We started early because with Sam there were delays and when she started college all her services had not been done in a timely fashion so she started at a disadvantage.  It was a tough go, you know lots of crying and a high level of fear.  But I am proud to say that she made it through the tough times and she has done well.  So for Alex, we all decided to start a year early.  Things were really going well, she was diligent, hard working and always pleasant. Alex did very well in high school by senior year she was ready to take some courses at Southern so she could transition in to the college life with less stress.  She took a class each semester and excelled, she volunteered, got a schlorship…….the list goes on! As we worked with this agency I was my usual annoying happy and grateful person.  I was so happy to be working as a team, setting up what we thought would be the tools to help Alex phyiscally be on the same playing field as able bodied student so she could exceed her expectations  in college and she would move eventually into the workplace and be an integral part of society.  That is what I try to instill in both the girls and most know that this is not always easy in the general population BUT you would hope to get camaraderie, respect and advocacy in an agency that helps individuals with disabilities succeed!  As time went on Alex continued to do well and forge ahead, despite some hefty medical setbacks last year, she continued on to Southern and continued to do well. Unfortunately the biggest obstacle she has had to endure is that very agency that is put into place to help her succeed.  She has been met with nothing but indifference, ignorance and quite frankly finger pointing and the “blame game”.  I can not tell you how disappointing it is to see how these state and federally funded programs are mismanaged and abused.  Sometimes I know I am idealistic in my thinking but maybe that really is the simple answer.  Why can’t we all just sit at a table and be honest and cut the bull shit bureaucracy out?  And I know that this post is somewhat murky, I really don’t want to say too much-have I already?

So….since this post was to be about my job let me say this:

I do love my job!  I am very lucky to have a great boss, a beautiful environment to work in, wonderful clients! Wonderful!  They all keep me going in an optimistic way; Craig & Maribeth, Barbara, John & Pat, Jane and the list goes on ! I do have an army of loving friends who are there for me always!  I am grateful to have this blog to point out the incredible things in life that we should all be thankful for! AND I do apologize that I have gone on and on for this one,  but I have been up all night with a pit in my stomach because I have to once again say to Alex that this bureau did not listen to us two years ago and are still saying no to simple requests that will help her succeed.  And the saddest part is that I know in my heart that they are just throwing blocks in the road to make it just a little bit harder!  Instead of working together to create ways that could help to enhance Alex’s life it has become an adversarial relationship.  Sad, very sad.

I am writing a letter to President Obama.  

Have a great day and PLEASE be nice to people today.  Be honest and move forward with integrity today.  Being honest and open with dignity isn’t always the easiest but it is the best way to live your life!

In Peace and Love

Always

Meir