[Oe List ...] FW: Blood Money

[elliestock at aol.com]

Eileen and Del--
Thanks for sharing...
Ellie Stock 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: delmorrill at hypnocenter.com
To: OE at wedgeblade.net
Sent: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 9:54 PM
Subject: [Oe List ...] FW: Blood Money


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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