"Out In The Community" no matter what !!!

What gets me mad and worried is the State of NJ made severely disabled kids go to their Program today, in this weather which has wind chills below 27 degrees and on this Holiday when most people are off. Even the government offices and schools are closed.

They are so heartless and inhumane. They want these kids "out in the community" no matter what. These kids barely have any days off the program, maybe just 5 major Holidays only. No sick days, no vacation days, nothing. This is the new Fee For Service the Government implemented by the 15 minute accounting.

I just went to put the garbage out and it is not only freezing, but the wind is fierce and howling. I got nervous if something comes flying at me. Why put the severely disabled kids and the staff at risk?

The wind and cold can cause down trees and wires. You worry if they are dressed properly to endure these temperatures. You worry if they slip on an ice patch. Medications can give them a lower body temperature. 

I shake my head that the State of NJ can do this to this population.  How heartless and sad.

A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT IN THE NORTHEAST

Many children and adults with cognitive disabilities can not tell you how they feel towards the weather conditions.  They are for the most part unaware of excessive cold or excessive heat.  If they dress themselves, they may not know to dress warmly when it is freezing outside.  They depend on others to redirect them to wear warmer clothes.  Many in this population will not wear hats or gloves but with constant reinforcement, they eventually will learn to wear them over time.

Group Home staff at residential facilities may not alert the clients to dress accordingly, especially if it is a very busy home with more involved cases.  Staff has to make an extra effort to make sure these clients are kept warm and safe. 

In the northeast they expect temperatures to feel like it’s 10 to 20 below zero outside tonight.  No living being can withstand this degree of cold very long, not even pets.  If trips have to be made, it would be reassuring that clients go right into the warmed up vehicles and driven door to door without too much cold exposure. 

Many disabled children can not walk on ice or know how to react on ice and they will be very uncoordinated and will fall.  Proper shoes can just help so much because this population can not coordinate themselves to balance on patches of ice.  Much precaution has to be taken to prevent injuries.

If something looks very unusual or is not right, like seeing an obviously disabled person struggling or alone due to the extreme cold, or seeing a pet left outside in freezing temperatures, you should make the effort to see if you can help in some way or call authorities. 

We should all care about one another and try to help each other.  It would be a better planet if we do.

DISABLED AND THE COLD WEATHER

I hope no one is outside with these freezing cold temperatures.

I am praying for any disabled person who has to be out: that they are well dressed since they often do not realize the temperature, don't dress appropriately, and the staff is often not up to par in this area to help. 

I pray that anyone who has to wait for a bus, train, or medical transport has a warm place to wait and the transportation comes fast. 

Often the disabled have to wait long periods for Access Link, or a County Transport and often it is a long, cold ride. 

Our most vulnerable population has it the hardest in life, not only dealing with their disability, but doing things we take for granted on a daily basis. 

And I pray no one is forgotten about outside or left in a Vehicle with this winter blast we are having in the northeast.

Everyone, stay warm. 3/11/17