Catching Up

Now that I am completely embedded in the fall semester of grad school I write anywhere from 5-8000 words/week. This doesn't exactly lend itself to having the desire to write "for pleasure." However, there have been some things spewing in my mind related to things that have been going on around here.
The first one being charity:

   Charity
   I believe giving to charities is a phenomenal idea. There are thousands of organizations that focus on specific disabilities, diseases etc. Unfortunately, the majority of people who give to these organizations have no idea of where the money they send actually goes. The larger the corporation, the more people they have on staff and have to pay salary. Additionally, these larger organizations typically focus on researching preventative methods and curing the disease or preventing other children from being born with a specific disorder. Great idea and quite useful. But, what about the neighborhood organizations like your local childrens' shelter or community center that are working with kids WHO ALREADY HAVE THE DISORDER, DISEASE OR DISABILITY?! There are extremely limited funds to these service providers.
      We have small businesses trying to offer respite services ( crucial to family success) in home care, therapy services at a reduced cost, and provide transportation, adult transition services, job coaching etc. We have children now, today, that don't need a major corporation to identify how to prevent someone else from having the disorder they already have. I personally believe in small companies, organizations and helping kids now. I choose to volunteer, research and work with families that are already in the world of disability. This is not to say that the large corporations are bad or not useful, I just choose not to donate to their cause. Do not chastise or feel disappointed in me for not giving to these large groups. It's just not my way of helping the cause. I wake up every day and work with children with a wide array of disabilities on extremely limited funding. I am in the pit so to speak day in and day out offering family support and student education not only in reading, writing and math but social skills, daily functioning and developing lasting support systems for the entire family.

Priorities
The priorities of people today astound me. I have parents that can take time to find the cutest clothes, best shoes, best car for themselves and yet cannot even maintain a working phone line for the school to reach you regarding your special needs child. Why on earth are those things more important than knowing what's going on with your child? Seriously, if the child started running a 103 fever, we would have no way of contacting you. Think about what's most important in the life of your child...not your personal wants.

 UNSOLICITED ADVICE
Finally, I'd like to vent about a particular issue lately. This whole business of explaining to me what you think I should do as it relates to my personal salvation is completely ludicrous and unwelcome. It is not our job to judge others based on your personal beliefs. Furthermore, it is not your christian duty to lecture me on what God has in store for me. I'm pretty sure he knows that a little better than you. Let's take that log out of your eye and work on your own life for a while, please. Secondly, I have been managing my own personal social calendar for quite some time and do not need constant reminders of events that have been planned for at least 6 months. I sent in my formal RSVP, the invitation is on my refrigerator. I'm 26 yrs old and have done quite well managing my own schedule and time constraints. I don't need you to try and manage it for me. Actually, don't attempt to manage any aspect of my life. I was never one to do what someone else wanted me to do. It's not my nature. It's not me and it won't happen. You can double check on that with parents if you'd like further explanation on that topic. I'm quite independent and don't appreciate others butting in or questioning my decisions. It's a losing battle for you, I promise. Don't waste your energy.

Conclusion
I think that about wraps up everything that has been really bothering me lately. If you take this entry personally, it probably was intended towards you. Not being rude, just honest. I've just kind of had enough of people in general right now, I think. Everything seems to irritate me these days. I'm on massive doses of steroids and exhausted from the medication I'm taking. And really? People are just aggravating.