A friend sent me a link this morning which has made me both sad and angry.
The article was printed under the title 'No One Brings Dinner When Your Daughter is an Addict'. And it makes my heart hurt.
The author's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. And, as is right and proper, the family received support from friends, church, work colleagues. People rang, people talked, people cooked dinners. Lots of dinners. Lots of support.
Time moved on, and his wife recovered. Then a new crisis emerged, when his daughter was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As is common, his daughter had been self-medicating with drugs and alcohol.
No dinners. Much less support, from far fewer people. The family essentially faced the pain on their own.
Until his daughter was involved in a car accident - on her way home after treatment. Her injuries were physical - and food and comfort were provided.
Why? Is there a perception that mental illness is catching? Is it a question that somehow the families of people with physical illnesses deserve support, while the families of those with mental illnesses or subtance abuse problems don't. The pain is very real in both cases. Cooking a meal for the family doesn't condone drug or alcohol abuse in my mind - instead it says I am sorry that you are going though a difficult time, and hope this helps.
Or am I being unreasonable?
The article was printed under the title 'No One Brings Dinner When Your Daughter is an Addict'. And it makes my heart hurt.
The author's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. And, as is right and proper, the family received support from friends, church, work colleagues. People rang, people talked, people cooked dinners. Lots of dinners. Lots of support.
Time moved on, and his wife recovered. Then a new crisis emerged, when his daughter was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As is common, his daughter had been self-medicating with drugs and alcohol.
No dinners. Much less support, from far fewer people. The family essentially faced the pain on their own.
Until his daughter was involved in a car accident - on her way home after treatment. Her injuries were physical - and food and comfort were provided.
Why? Is there a perception that mental illness is catching? Is it a question that somehow the families of people with physical illnesses deserve support, while the families of those with mental illnesses or subtance abuse problems don't. The pain is very real in both cases. Cooking a meal for the family doesn't condone drug or alcohol abuse in my mind - instead it says I am sorry that you are going though a difficult time, and hope this helps.
Or am I being unreasonable?
