Time to get real

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Two posts with a horrible ring of truth about the times we live in.

There are too many clear, no longer entirely covert, propaganda agendae in the western world to demonise disability and disadvantage along very similar lines to racism.

Official policies are consistently pushing the same populations further into the margins towards an impossible position where, on even a macro scale, they must either overcome overwhelming odds to achieve some form of self sufficiency, or be crushed between the wheels.

I don't know where that will end, I don't like to think about it, I just see where it is heading.

I suppose the choice of whether to "circle the wagons" and fight that in terms of your own particular family, or perceived, immediate "tribe" (or even just yourself), or to go on fighting the overall principle is an individual equation that combines circumstance, conscience, temperament and a few other factors?

On a different level the same goes for whether lower functioning autistics are our concern or not, and even whether we begin to see them as rival contenders for increasingly scarce resources., But once it is assumed they are our concern, if nothing else, we have the advantage of knowing the extent to which the same organisation that claim to represent them, coldbloodedly misrepresent us, at this stage, over and despite our clear objections, and it is a safe bet that those lower functioning than ourselves are subjected to a remarkably similar level of disregard by the same people.

Adding a third, remarkably relevant post:



Resources used inappropriately perpetuate and increase the future need for resources. Resources used to optimum decrease the need for future resources.

The latter option makes far more sense from almost every point of view than the former.

I don't know about the above. Here where I live people are provided what they need. People with very severe and profound impairment need more. We are all allowed to work, be part of day programs and so on. Most are not part of day programs so allot of expenses that could be used are not spent. Who then becomes the best judge of how money is best used? Only the most productive while removing recreation that has already been cut over employment programs? It has gotten to the point some stay home or be forced into a work program for inclusion other then get to go grocery shopping. Given the odds I think pursuing the most audacious of possibilities in the most constructive ways to derive new possibilities might be the only freedom. If it was possible with more funding before it is even less probable now and unless someone or some people are willing to challenge the statues qua of who get to become included in society vs. not in the grand survival of the fittest not much will change. To do so you must behave like the businesses that achieve and you must insight reasonable terms to get along with them and the economy as a whole.

Should you have solutions to the overwhelming odds that differ then my own I'm open to it.

Ask not; what is available, and to whom...

But rather; what will actually work?

I find what I do works and I am working on an inclusion project that will take several years to implement. If I had more money it would go faster. Until then what works is what funds it and just like in the real business world profits enable.

The key question that will be asked is "does this program deliver value for money for the taxpayer?" In a lot of jursistictions, asking this question, is a legislative requirement for public servants authorising expenditure of public money.

Those programs that demonstrate positive net cash flows to the Government eg Welfare savings or an expansion of the tax base will be deemed viable.

Those that do not deliver positive cash flows will be axed.

Therefore, in the near future, It will be vitally important to have one's ducks in a row and be able to demonstrate clearly and quantifiably that programs are cash positive to stand any chance of getting a green light.

Therefore, smart organisations and individuals are well advised to get rid of the "dead wood", be it ideology, programs and ,as much as I hate to say it, individuals as soon as possible.

To quote Billy Bragg, "The third world is just around the corner".

I would argue to the contrary, that, by your own account, considerable resources are being expended on perpetuating the allocation of considerable resources.

I am not saying you are not enjoying yourself, you obviously are, no harm in that, and thus far, it's keeping you out of jail, but resources that were really working would already have you at a stage where you placed a higher priority on at least real self development than pointless attention seeking on the internet.

...no, that is *not* another "invitation to the dance with ci" it's just a reality.

Better to pay someone to work with you on (for example) self and other awareness...right now...for example...sorry, I do not know you, so it is impossible for me to make too many specific suggestions...but I think you would benefit hugely from being taught to just stay quiet and pay attention with a view to sending you on courses that would teach you to REALLY understand and do the things you aspire to, like Public Relations...and discipline to value your business enough to feel it is more important to work on it than argue on internet boards.

...or, help you find a different business that DOES feel that much more important to you...so that self sufficiency is a realistic possibility.

I feel that your current resources seem to just be mollifying you like a child without leading you in the direction of any real development at all. With then end result that you are remaining at the level of a dependent child, whether that is really all you are capable of or not.

Some have already closed their doors because they were not effective. A major component was missing which was the big picture PR. Before shutting down they wanted to participate in the campaign. While the most effective program I know of is still in business. As far as what I do it serves it's purpose and is growing steadily and is stable. My personal other option would be to join a successful work program while costing money anyways just to do lawn care work. I work on developing different employment opportunities and the big picture public relations for mainstream inclusion transitions whereas programs are fairly dependent upon retention and not mainstream transitions. I've pushed very hard with the higher ups where I live and reasonably it's going to take cooperation from the business community which for instance the chamber of commerce and media have shown to be specifically for this project and with the addition of public support inspiring the public to see the human value of including using methods of at first inclusive transitional outreach for transitional skill development and experience where needed and applicable.

Another excellent post...but I would go beyond that and point out that *THIS* is the window where we can influence the accuracy with which value for money is assessed (something that is by not means guaranteed) in favour of de facto positive outcomes in terms of self sufficieny and functionality for AS MANY OF US AS POSSIBLE...which is not the case at present.

Too many autistic people (on all levels) are being public funded into artificial levels of dependency and disenabled to suit various interests in the voluntary and community sector...when the funding dries up that leaves them higher and drier than they ever needed to be in the first place. The same funds COULD be better deployed in placing some of them outside dependency instead, but only if we make that case.

Ok, we all pokes sticks at ci right now...and he asks for it too...

But what will happens to ci when the money runs out and his parents are too old or gone to rescue him?

What happens to *ME* then is that I bawl my eyes out, because I am a girl and that's allowed, and then I punch a few walls because I am smart enough to know that if he had been given valid, effective resources instead of being contained and pandered too he could probably be living a fulfilling adult life instead.

Sorry you just don't understand what I do. Just because I disagree with you on the internet and you say I want attention when you do the same things as a person does not mean I as a person do not have value just because I receive supports. You cannot ethically make me less worthy of speaking simply because I receive social services. I do not have to work all the time nor when I don't fit your ideal personage or else I should suffer the consequences. It's highly unethical when the fruits of the efforts have proven otherwise.

Your acts to demean me not knowing the the progress I've made and where I came from originally simply proves the point that your no proper judge.

Ci,

You are never going to be able to achieve that until you learn how to communicate, in both directions, listening and telling, with other people reliably and co-operatively...and somebody paid to care for you should be making that clear to you until you actually take it in, not me, on the far side of the world, who has never even met you.

...and it wouldn't *cost money* for you to do lawn care work...there is no such thing as a free lawncut...might as well pay you as someone else...and when the crunch comes, you could think all these things over in your head just as well, and probably better while pushing a lawnmower and making money as squabbling senselessly on the internet at a cost to the taxpayer.

I am a free person allowed to speak on the internet and that costs no one money. Just as worthy as you are to speak on the internet. If you knew what I was talking about you would understand work programs themselves costs money and to facilitate lawn care employment for people with disabilities as a program costs allot of money. Again you simply are out of touch and likely should stick with politics in your own country and learn to respect enough to listen instead of belittling people with disabilities trying to achieve while hiding behind your PC screen in the effort to try to tell you how to make it more possible..

Just don't have a clue what so ever and think demeaning me will solve the problems.

Ci, I understand perfectly well what you do...it is called "kidding yourself" and the worse of it is that you are being encouraged and facilitated to do that on the taxpayer's dime, when you COULD be encouraged to achieve your real potential (whatever that might be) instead.

...and you are wrong...people do not get annoyed with you because they think this addled stuff you post here is all you are capable of...if they thought that they would pity you, pat you on the head occasionally and ignore you most of the time.

People get annoyed with you because they believe you *ARE* capable of doing something truly worthwhile, and living as a man instead of a glorified child, if only someone would stop indulging you and start challenging your potential...

...the same rules apply on a macro scale too.

I agree that in the past it has been in the interest of both Government Welfare Programs, Social Services and the NFP sector to perpetuate dependancy and to keep the underclass pacified rather than solve problems as, to do so, would put the professionals running these services out of a job.

However, I suspect that stringent budget reductions caused by the worstenig economic climate will spell the end of such practices.

Therefore, it is time for people to look at the world as it really is, without the false comfort of warm and fuzzy ideologies ands make rational and wise choices about their future.

This means seeking endevours and alliances that will be profitable and discarding those that won't.

In short, we have to look at the world in the cold light of day.

Unfortunitly with so many people out of work it's even more so then before a survival of the fittest and mainstream inclusion less likely. That's why I created the candles to be extremely low overhead, worked with U.S component manufactures to reduced costs to support it and have donated marketing 356 days a year. Should supports entirely go away at least it would still exist as a functional employment mechanism even though the over zealous worry will likely not be needed. Supports will not entirely go away and the economy is likely to rebound even if slowly. Until then during the day that's what I work on and any increase in hatred for instance does not remove my motivation to further create something people support and that employs a few for now where I live. IF the programs go away then there will be some opportunity for a few still.

Ci

I hate to tell you this but the world does not revolve around you and your candles.

You have had a lot of good advice on this forum; If you do not like the advice then don't follow it; It is that simple.

However, stop personalising every comment made.

This is the last time that I intend to interact with you.

Your complete and utter hatred is clearly profound. I've gone from a very isolated person not taking good care of myself to to included and more self-reliant and confident. Your proposal however is to demish me because you hate me for having the impairments I have, demean me and remove my confidence in the name of of wiser dollars spent. It's haters like you that remove progress and accomplishments and think the whole time they really are doing others a favor. Why are you so threatened by disabilities that you fear the reality that really exists and efforts to achieve in spite of them?

Just deep down hatred and in it you would have me hide and I know you don't mean well but are full of venom.