[Oe List ...] FW: Blood Money

[hypnocenter]

Thought this was a worthwhile reminder from our daughter for the holidays.

Del

 

  _____  

From: Eileen Howard [mailto:eghow at columbus.rr.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 3:09 PM
To: Eileen Howard
Subject: Blood Money

 

This is one of my occasional reports from the Church for All People.  If you
wish to be removed from this distribution list, please just reply and let me
know.

 

Blood Money

 

Dorothy (not her real name) is an attractive African-American woman who has
been attending church for awhile now.  She is petite and always dresses
impeccably.  She has volunteered for many things and I was especially
grateful that she helped me decorate and set up for a recent event.  She is
sweet and seems very intelligent and a little vulnerable.  

 

I was absolutely shocked to learn that she is homeless and is currently
living in a shelter.  Our stereotypes are very disabling because they make
us think that homelessness is only a problem for certain "types" of people -
those with addictions, mental illness and so forth.  Our image is of dirty,
smelly people who have no interest in taking care of themselves.  It is easy
to classify these folks as "chronic" homeless folks who don't need or want
help, or who are impossible to really help.  Dorothy is one of many people
who run quite counter to this stereotype.  She is meticulous about her
appearance and clearly would like to not be homeless.

 

I do not know the details of Dorothy's situation but I was even more stunned
when Pastor John mentioned almost in passing that she sells plasma (meaning
she sells her blood) in order to try to get by, but she's, of course,
limited in how often she can do this.    This isn't the first time I've
known that people who are marginalized often sell their blood, but for some
reason more than ever I found this so totally unconscionable that it has
stayed with me.  Each time I see Dorothy I remember this comment and I'm
outraged.

 

Ever see the bumper sticker  "If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying
attention."?    Well, we should all be paying more attention.   Here in the
world's richest country, people across our nation will sell their blood
tomorrow in order to buy the food they need, pay for bus tickets, put gas in
their car, pay for prescriptions, pay the rent or the electric bill,  and,
yes, in case you are wondering, sometimes to pay for liquor.  Probably they
don't make enough selling their blood to buy illegal drugs, but maybe that
too.  

 

Many of them are actually employed but don't make enough to get by.  Many
are mentally ill.  Many are veterans.  Many are parents.   

 

A member of our congregation now has over 80 days of sobriety.  He has a
family and has had an alcohol problem for many years.  He is going through
some bad physical withdrawal and a $60 shot would help him through the
process, but he can't afford it so he struggles through without it, risking
his recovery.

 

Someone else has a knee that troubles him so much you can see he's in
constant pain.  He won't take care of it - it will cost too much money and
he can't afford it.

 

A young woman I know, a single parent with two children, recently lost her
minimum wage job because she was out sick too often with chronic kidney
infections that had her hospitalized.  She's unemployed again and in danger
of losing her kids, because she can't make a steady income.

 

The daughter of another member has a job but she has to have a car to get
there.  There is no bus service.   She doesn't make enough for car payments
and gas and insurance.  So she risks her license and car by driving without
insurance.

 

Have some of these people made their own bed?  You betcha. Are they getting
what they "deserve"?  Oh, in many cases, probably yes.   I guess the
question is whether we believe in second chances, forgiveness and
compassion.  I guess the question I ask myself is "Do I get what I deserve?"
or have I had, in my life, many second chances, forgiveness from others
around me, and lucky breaks - starting with the circumstances of my birth,
my parents, my race and my class.  

 

I hope during this Christmas season that you feel loved and lucky.  I hope
that no matter what challenges you are facing, you won't have to sell your
blood to get by.  And I'm grateful for a Savior that embodies hope,
compassion and forgiveness for us all.

 

In a couple of weeks we'll be running the Christmas Shop where low-income
parents can come shop for new clothing and toys for their children.  In
addition, our church has an emergency fund for housing, utility and other
emergencies.  Monetary donations are needed and are tax deductible.
Volunteers are always welcome at the Christmas shop and the Free Store, too.

 

If you wish to make a donation, make checks to Community Development for All
People,  895 Parsons Avenue, P.O. Box 06063, Columbus, Ohio 43206

www.4allpeople.org

 

God bless you and Merry Christmas!

 

Love,

Eileen

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