tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post48707778243617006..comments2024-03-28T15:05:10.372-05:00Comments on Every goddamn day: 03/29/24: What to Do With Louie, RevisitedNeil Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-43802460840680309312018-10-21T15:55:10.636-05:002018-10-21T15:55:10.636-05:00Tom - I got the strong impression that Neil was wr...Tom - I got the strong impression that Neil was writing that ALL special needs persons deserve to pursue a life of their own, with the proper supports that are necessary to achieve that. He was inclusive, not making the distinction that only properly behaved persons and saints are worthy. <br /><br />As a mother of a 25 year old special needs daughter I know Lizzy better than anyone. I know her struggles and know her difficulties which at times result in behaviors not always acceptable by some. Some people judge a situation without knowing anything about Lizzy. That is WRONG. Mothers like me are stared at, given looks of disgust, and given hurtful unwelcomed advice. We can't understand why some people don't see the person inside, and only focus on the outward behavior that is the result of their simply trying to get through the day.<br /><br />Mothers and fathers may not be "helpful" with schools; I am one of the mothers that was labeled as difficult and disruptive, simply because I had to move heaven and earth to get Lizzy the help she needed and I was not afraid to fight for her. Many supports that are available cater to one type of person. But the people with "special needs" are made up of unique, individual persons that are totally different in every aspect from each other. One size does not fit all, and I feel sad for the students your mother labeled as not lovable. And am glad she no longer teaches them. My heart aches when Lizzy is not loved and judged because I know she struggles everyday of her life. <br /><br />I am exhausted from loving her 24 hours a day. I need helpful, supportive, and understanding people around me when I go out in public. Please please listen to me when I say it is WRONG, UNKIND, and HURTFUL for the parents of these wonderful children to be judged in any way by people who know nothing of the struggles we face each and every day.<br /><br />We love our children and know that they deserve extra help, which is costly, because they need it!! My husband passed away and now I am the sole caretaker of Lizzy. I live everyday in fear of no longer being able to care for her because I don't know what society will do to help her. She deserves to be important and loved by people who have her best interests in mind. She simply deserves to have a loving place to live. Is that really too much to ask our government to provide? We are the wealthiest nation in the world and must be judged by how we care for those lesser than us.<br /><br />Thank you Neil for this piece. It is perfect in every way. It was so true I cried! It needs to be updated now that we have a very different administration in charge of federal funding. I was told by Lizzy's social worker that there will be major cuts in 2019. Thanks again. <br /><br />Cathy Hartgraves Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13113048372223355314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-90374384610669502182015-10-20T19:36:59.289-05:002015-10-20T19:36:59.289-05:00You done good Steinberg.
Thanks for holding exact...You done good Steinberg.<br /><br />Thanks for holding exactly no one accountable for your stats.<br /><br />50 outta 50. Perhaps Illinois can be the 51st state when set against<br />Puerto Rico, DC or Guam.<br /><br />Too much to call a state rep or a stuffed shirt in Springfield. ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-51395679365762643752015-10-20T18:00:24.502-05:002015-10-20T18:00:24.502-05:00Exactly! it's meant sarcastically. We can do...Exactly! it's meant sarcastically. We can do much better. Don't expect Rauner to care these days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-86195471118172225082015-10-20T16:02:57.616-05:002015-10-20T16:02:57.616-05:00That isn't exactly setting the bar very high, ...That isn't exactly setting the bar very high, is it?Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-59709389523647615612015-10-20T14:35:48.969-05:002015-10-20T14:35:48.969-05:00It's true it's not simply charitable -- th...It's true it's not simply charitable -- they can indeed contribute to the bottom line. Not too many years ago such people tended to be hidden away and not given a chance to work.. <br /><br />And it's probably also true that we probably can do the disabled a disservice by assuming they are all saints. My mother was a teacher who spent a few years with "special needs" children, and I recall her saying that most of them were lovable, but the few that weren't were very disruptive. And the parents weren't always helpful..<br /><br />Tom EvansAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-82453721869343695742015-10-20T14:30:41.563-05:002015-10-20T14:30:41.563-05:00Well at least we don't suffocate handicapped k...Well at least we don't suffocate handicapped kids at birth like in China.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-62846130687743733262015-10-20T14:29:56.587-05:002015-10-20T14:29:56.587-05:00Well Denmark is a Social Democratic state, of cour...Well Denmark is a Social Democratic state, of course. Some say that can only work for smaller nations but try selling that to mainstream America. Bernie is the closest hope we can have for that, but again, good luck with that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-42189585678507166262015-10-20T12:00:44.088-05:002015-10-20T12:00:44.088-05:00Thank you for writing about what is so important t...Thank you for writing about what is so important to all families who have family members with special needs. We take it day by day and make sure that we are doing what is best for our children. My goal is the same for all 3 of my young children: to live happy, healthy and productive lives . That being said, my daughter, Maddy, who has Down syndrome, might just have to live her happy, healthy and productive life outside of the dismal, financially strapped state of Illinois!Randi Gillespienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-54737698959417204622015-10-20T10:58:19.453-05:002015-10-20T10:58:19.453-05:00Nice piece, NS, and I enjoyed seeing that image sh...Nice piece, NS, and I enjoyed seeing that image showing the front page placement it evidently received, along with the other photos. Given the state of funding at this point, I imagine that this is another instance where you feel like you were shouting into a strong wind. But you deserve credit for pursuing this story, especially based on reader feedback, and at least you shined the light that you could on the issue.<br /><br />You'd think that we cocky Northerners who love to look down our noses at our allegedly benighted Southern countrymen and women would be ashamed to trail even the likes of Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas when it comes to providing proper assistance for the disabled. Evidently not, especially if making things better might require -- gasp! -- additional taxes. <br /><br />As for the brilliantly sold Republican lie that all taxes are evil and that the government should be shrunk down to the point where it can be drowned in a bathtub, Paul Krugman had an interesting column about Denmark in the "N. Y. Times" yesterday. Lord knows, patriotic Americans wouldn't want to have that kind of economy -- we'd much prefer to watch the rich get ever richer, as the flailing middle class shouts USA! USA! while shooting our guns into the air. <br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/19/opinion/something-not-rotten-in-denmark.html?_r=0Jakashnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-44069096484608172012015-10-20T10:31:38.632-05:002015-10-20T10:31:38.632-05:00Well it's a win win. The businesses don't ...Well it's a win win. The businesses don't have to pay high rates for the labor.<br /><br />Unfort. some disabled have bad tempers and can't work in such a setting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-70280397732149722232015-10-20T09:29:25.303-05:002015-10-20T09:29:25.303-05:00If your criteria for a good or well off community ...If your criteria for a good or well off community is how they treat the less fortunate, then we're awful. What the heck does the state do with all the money it collects.<br /><br />Thank God for businesses that hire Louie and give him useful tasks. I hope they get rewarded many times over for what they do.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-46651927301508635502015-10-20T08:53:28.381-05:002015-10-20T08:53:28.381-05:00Good article. UCP Sequin in Cicero and Elim Christ...Good article. UCP Sequin in Cicero and Elim Christian Services in the Southwest suburbs have good programs for adults with developmental disabilities and may be good resources to try, I have dealt with both organizations and was very impressed with their success in providing opportunities for people like Louie. StanPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-64623819627004694242015-10-20T08:13:52.009-05:002015-10-20T08:13:52.009-05:00My spouse used to do social work, before he switch...My spouse used to do social work, before he switched fields, at Ray Graham and not Ryan I thought it was. They have some good programs. This one was in the Northlake or Franklin Park area. Good eye opener of an article and worth the repeat and follow up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com