Yes indeed. This pandemic war has its genuine brave heroes. Those on the front of the FRONT LINE - Ambulance Drivers&EMTs/Paramedics, ER&other Hospital Staff from Doctors&Nurses to the non-medical hospital-necessary employees, police, firefighters, people in the food & supply chains, public transportation workers, etc.
I am their Number One admirer and supporter with sincere gratitude & profound respect for them.
However, my 50 plus years in the unseen/hidden/shadowy worlds of dependent adults have introduced me to the unseen heroes who take care of them in the most intimate hands-on personal way.
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I am referring to the care givers to our very seriously adult mentally ill, the intellectually/developmentally disabled, the seriously damaged/compromised victims of a serious birth defect, cruel old age, accident or crippling disease- people who cannot take care of themselves - maybe they can't dress themselves or feed themselves - people who live in nursing homes, or congregate living caring residences or who have at-home personal care givers.
They are not considered professionals with academic credentials like Nurses. They are underpaid.
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A very high percentage of them are women of color with families. They cannot work from home.
And because the salaries are so low, many are forced to work two jobs.
They are the people who put our loved ones to bed, wake them up in the morning, feed, bathe, toilet, diaper,dress, administer their prescription drugs, stay beside the person with little reprieve. They are the people who are held responsible for their care receivers. They don't work at a desk and can't not show up for their shift or refuse to work on weekends or holidays.
However they are not the people who were the people our State Government fought for a minimum, never mind living, wage.
I ask that before we spend any money on forgiving college loans or free college tuition for non-residents or such wonderful niceties, we pay our Care-Givers a living wage so they can buy a home and maybe send their children to college.
They take care of our beloved, let's take care of them.
