Dawn Eden brings us the news about a young woman who spoke to the Waco, Texas, City Council in defense of pro-life street counselors who encouraged her not to have an abortion:
The council went on to ease its restrictions against demonstrations outside abortion clinics.
On a busy day at an inner city abortion clinic, you may find both anti-abortion protestors and clinic escorts. Legally both the sidewalk counselors and the picketers have the legal right to express their views under the first amendement. However, there are certain laws which do limit their access and proximity to the clinics. However, that's not what I'm wanting to focus on here. Today, I'd like to discuss the role of sidewalk counselors. There's a lot of assumptions that they're the same as the picketers. Actually, there is a difference in presentation and demeanor between sidewalk counselors and picketers and their goals are different. I think a lot of folks don't understand who these sidewalk counselors are and what they are there to accomplish. The sidewalk counselors are there to offer information on alternatives, resources for pregnancy and parenting, caution clients against going to a shody clinic (which has malpractice and negligence suits), and support to a woman considering having an abortion.
"How is a frightened woman on her way into a clinic for an procedure supposed to tell the difference between a "counselor" and a "picketer"?"
That's a good question. Usually counselors are offering informational pamplets and not loud or obnoxious, although they may call to the woman to get her attention. They also have a different goal, not to scare or intimidate, only to offer alternatives to abortion and also to director her to resources which can assist her. Picketers on the other hand, primary try to intimidate and shock women into not choosing abortion. And while I disagree with many of the picketer's methods (i.e. bloody photos or screaming words of condemnation), there are protestors who make a quiet prescence with just prayer. Here's an interview with a protestor. Oftentimes, I think individuals and groups mix up the two groups and assume the worse about sidewalk counselors without actually getting to know them on an individual basis. They just may have more in common goal-wise than they know.
It is up to every individual woman whether or not she'd like to speak with the sidewalk counselors, and especially if you're not sure about your decision, I'd like to encourage you to give these people a chance and hear them out. Even so, I'd like to bring to attention that clinic escorts often block the patients from ever having the chance to speak to the sidewalk counselors both physically and verbally, sometimes with loud music and megaphones, and sometimes they even harass and physically engage the sidewalk counselors and picketers. And also I'd like to point out that many pro-choicers and clinic escorts perpetuate a fear of pro-lifers, painting them all as violent, raving, "crazies" and make sure to keep women from hearing them, non-the-less talk to them. She's not given a choice once she's at the clinic and in the grasp of a clinic escort. She's often rushed into the clinic, regardless of whether it's of her own will, past the sidewalk counselors without a second thought. And clinic escorts are often eager for the protestors to get forcibly removed from the premises and often rough-up the sidewalk counselors and fabricate and over-eggagerate minor offenses to local police, who often side with the clinic, as demonstrated below.
http://community.livejournal.com/ljforchoice/92838.html
http://abortionviolence.com/SC.HTM#ACLU1
http://abortionviolence.com/CA.HTM#BACAOR
http://abortionviolence.com/WI.HTM#MCPC
http://abortionviolence.com/MN.HTM#PPFA
http://abortionviolence.com/CO.HTM#PPFA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwbCMMBnTcQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lj4vRgZ69g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOptXN8UXfc
"But when someone goes into an abortion clinic, she already knows what she's going there for."
When women go into these clinics considering having an abortion, often they go there with a heavy heart. Most of the time, we find that they feel ambvient about the decision, that abortion is their only viable option. In addition, one study found that 64% of American women felt pressured by others to have an abortion. In fact, when it comes to counseling provided by the clinic, the same study found more than half felt rushed, yet 67% received no counseling and 79% were not told about available alternatives (1), as demonstrated by the testimonies of past and current clinic workers and women who've had abortions.
http://www.clinicquotes.com/selling.html
http://www.clinicquotes.com/womensconsent.html http://www.passboards.org/forumdisplay.php?f=18
http://www.unfairchoice.info/intro.htm
http://www.abortionconcern.org/abortion-info/forced-or-coerced.php
"Showing her an aborted fetus or telling her how she's going to burn in hell is not going to somehow "convince" her."
I agree. When people start flashing gory images or yelling to them that they are sinners and murderers, and that they need to repent, it does not sway them to choose life. I think it scares them more or worse, angers them and would want to go through with the abortion just to spite them. They go into the "leave me alone, its my life and body thinking" Rather I think they should be dealt with compassion and understanding. These women need someoe to love them and support them and help them.
"Do sidewalk counselors actually change minds?"
It is a difficult ministry, and while it is not always the case, but yes, there have been women who've changed their minds after speaking with a sidewalk counselors.
On a Related Note:
Sidewalk Counseling Guides:
http://thoughts-and-faith-to-share.blogspot.com/2007/06/serious-thoughts-on-sidewalk-counseling.html
http://sidewalkcounseling.com/black.asp
http://www.webcom.com/sidewalk/
Sidewalk Counselors Blogs/Testimonies:
http://sidewalk-talk.blogspot.com/
http://sidewalkcounselorsunited.blogspot.com/
http://fdalessio.blogspot.com/2005/04/sidewalk-counseling-apr-2006.html http://afterabortion.blogspot.com/2005/05/compassionate-sidewalk-counseling-how.html
http://anniebanno.blogspot.com/2005/05/real-truth-about-crisis-pregnancy.html
http://www.dawneden.com/2006/10/across-streetby-guestbloggerdennis.html
http://thedramaofexistence.blogspot.com/2006/09/encounter.html
http://generationsforlife.org/2006/0914/a-life-saved/
http://theschoolofmary.blogspot.com/2007/02/providence-at-planned-parenthood-and.html
Audio/Video:
No Greater Joy (Caution: brief images of aborted fetuses)
This video discusses sidewalk counselinig from the perspective of four individuals: who they are, the type of information they distribute, spiritual involvement, how to approach women ("don't yell at the women and if they yell at you, don't respond", "don't be rude to any woman you're speaking to, never shout", "don't accuse this woman. You're not there to accuse, you're there to help") and guidelines, caring about both woman and child.
More About Sidewalk Counseling
Sources:
1) VM Rue et. al., “Induced abortion and traumatic stress: A preliminary comparison of American and Russian women,” Medical Science Monitor 10(10): SR5-16 (2004).
My Life in Reflection
Thursday, November 2, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Achromic on the Run: I am talking to your kids and so is everyone else
Fellow blogger, Achromic on the Run, wrote about her concern with kids unsupervised on the internet. While the internet can be an educational tool and a source of entertainment for children, dangers also lurk on the internet in the form of child predators and child exploitation.
This is one area where I actually agree with Achromic. In order to keep kids safe, it takes parents being involved/interested in what their chld is doing on the computer/internet, IN ADDITION to electronic filters and monitering programs. I can't emphasize enough that computers and filters can't replace parental invovlment in keeping kids safe on the internet. Also, the parent/guardians need to be understand why and become interested in keeping their kids safe. In this And Namaan made a good point in the comments at Achromic's blog, many parents I agree are intimidated by the challenge of trying to supervise internet access or just don't know where to start. You see, this is an issue our library (where I work) has been tackling. Recently our library sponsored a seminar, for parents and children in the community on internet safety based on the NetSmartz website. The seminar took a multi-pronged approach 1) We had a speaker from the state police, whom gave statistics on missing and endangered children and the NCMEC website (awareness). 2)A detective specializing in child exploitation and internet safety concerns, gave information on the risks and how to be safer on various websites (i.e Myspace, Yahoo, Facebook, etc.) And he emphasized the importance of parents being involved and aware of what thier children are doing on the computer. (education) 3)A technical support specialist gave information on how to check a child's internet activities (via standard Windows features): history folder, internet cookies, and temporary internet files. But he also noted that many teens are quite savvy at computers and may know how to erase their tracks. So he also discussed parental controls, and various filtering and monitering software(which can be password protected), parents may also wish to utilitize. I think there's no one easy answer as to how to go about monitering a child on the computer, but rather we need to take a multi-demential approach.
Here's a couple more websites recommended at our library:
http://safekids.com/child_safety.htm
http://staysafe.org/
http://missingkids.com/
http://cybertipline.com/
Also you can find a list of kid friendly sites at "The Librarian's Guide to Great Websites for Kids"
http://ala.org/greatsites
Here's a couple more websites recommended at our library:
http://safekids.com/child_safety.htm
http://staysafe.org/
http://missingkids.com/
http://cybertipline.com/
Also you can find a list of kid friendly sites at "The Librarian's Guide to Great Websites for Kids"
http://ala.org/greatsites
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Center of Contraversy - Stop My Abortion blog
This blog has in recent months become the center of attention and contraversy. Stop My Abortion is the blog of a rather cynical and crass 20 yrs old woman whom just found herself unexpectedly pregnant. The woman in question, is low income and works as a bartender. In her first post April 18, she said, "Either click on the paypal link on the side of this page and give what you can, or I'm going to get this fetus scraped and sucked out of me in six month's time." The premise behind the blog was that if pro-lifers really do care about and want to save all unwanted babies, then they should pay the money to care for such children and if the pro-lifers didn't come up with the prescribed amount (and showed themselves to be hypocrits), she was going to have a late-term abortion at six month gestation. And as another blogger pointed out, as if any unwillingness to provide financial assistance (read hypocrisy) on pro-lifers' part validates the need for Roe vs. Wade. Now to me, this blog seems to be a satiracle strike at pro-lifers, in addition, there are a few things wrong with it I see.
1) The author is posing the age-old pro-choice rhetorical question: "If you're against abortion, are you going to pay for the care of all all the unwanted children in the world?" S/he is merely trying to point out flaws in the pro-life argument with logical fallacies and stereotyping.
2) If you do donate money, there's no guarantee this story is real or that your hard money will go to a a true charity cause. Instead I'd donate to an established local charity, to be sure the money will be used as you intend, such as the United Way or American Red Cross. I don't think an individual's unwillingness to donate always reflects the state of political beliefs or charitability as much as worthwhile caution in donating to a cause we have no certainty is true.
3) That kind of attention-getting rubs me all the wrong way, whether serious or satire. Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and making the decision to have an abortion is not a decision to be taken lightly, like going to the beauty salon. The abortion jokes lead me to conclusions about the maturity of (or complete lack there of) the one making such jokes.
4) If this story were true and not satire, there are better ways than online solicitation (which is questionable at best) to going about to getting support and assistance. There are a number of established non-political pro-life organizations which can provide pregnancy and parenting assistance or even just financial assistance and help with basic needs. There are over 4,000 woman helping centers (comprised of pregnancy resource centers, maternity housing, adoption agencies, social services agencies, and participating church parishes) in the U.S. and 36 other countries. On the other hand, when someone genuinely wants help and I am capable of offering such help, I do so. I've helped a number of pregnant, parenting, and post-abortion young women in finding/applying for help when they otherwise had nowhere to turn.
5) Even if she was able to raise the $40,000 from pro-lifers, I don't think that alone would be enough to change her perception of pro-lifers and her political stance. The damned if you do, damned if you don't mentality. If you're a pro-lifer and you donate to this so-called woman's cause, you're accused of spending your money on caring for fetuses and not caring about the needs of born children. If you don't donate, you're accused of being a hypocrit and not caring about the unborn or caring about the women who carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. Basically it's a no-win situation, I wouldn't waste your time in discussion there.
Well, October 19 came and she had not received all of the prescribed amount ($40,000) and so she supposidly had the late-term abortion, posting questionable images of the result of the abortion. The blog has received mixed reactions from both pro-choice and pro-lifers alike. Support from pro-choicers congradulating her on "showing the hypocricy of anti-choicers" and criticism from both sides. Now I don't agree with the slander she's received from pro-life individuals, regardless of the blog being satire, such behavior does not show good will on pro-lifers part.
Update: Jivin' J brings it to our attention that , "Help My Baby Live," a website with a very similar premise to the "Stop my Abortion" blog has appeared.
1) The author is posing the age-old pro-choice rhetorical question: "If you're against abortion, are you going to pay for the care of all all the unwanted children in the world?" S/he is merely trying to point out flaws in the pro-life argument with logical fallacies and stereotyping.
2) If you do donate money, there's no guarantee this story is real or that your hard money will go to a a true charity cause. Instead I'd donate to an established local charity, to be sure the money will be used as you intend, such as the United Way or American Red Cross. I don't think an individual's unwillingness to donate always reflects the state of political beliefs or charitability as much as worthwhile caution in donating to a cause we have no certainty is true.
3) That kind of attention-getting rubs me all the wrong way, whether serious or satire. Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and making the decision to have an abortion is not a decision to be taken lightly, like going to the beauty salon. The abortion jokes lead me to conclusions about the maturity of (or complete lack there of) the one making such jokes.
4) If this story were true and not satire, there are better ways than online solicitation (which is questionable at best) to going about to getting support and assistance. There are a number of established non-political pro-life organizations which can provide pregnancy and parenting assistance or even just financial assistance and help with basic needs. There are over 4,000 woman helping centers (comprised of pregnancy resource centers, maternity housing, adoption agencies, social services agencies, and participating church parishes) in the U.S. and 36 other countries. On the other hand, when someone genuinely wants help and I am capable of offering such help, I do so. I've helped a number of pregnant, parenting, and post-abortion young women in finding/applying for help when they otherwise had nowhere to turn.
5) Even if she was able to raise the $40,000 from pro-lifers, I don't think that alone would be enough to change her perception of pro-lifers and her political stance. The damned if you do, damned if you don't mentality. If you're a pro-lifer and you donate to this so-called woman's cause, you're accused of spending your money on caring for fetuses and not caring about the needs of born children. If you don't donate, you're accused of being a hypocrit and not caring about the unborn or caring about the women who carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. Basically it's a no-win situation, I wouldn't waste your time in discussion there.
Well, October 19 came and she had not received all of the prescribed amount ($40,000) and so she supposidly had the late-term abortion, posting questionable images of the result of the abortion. The blog has received mixed reactions from both pro-choice and pro-lifers alike. Support from pro-choicers congradulating her on "showing the hypocricy of anti-choicers" and criticism from both sides. Now I don't agree with the slander she's received from pro-life individuals, regardless of the blog being satire, such behavior does not show good will on pro-lifers part.
Update: Jivin' J brings it to our attention that , "Help My Baby Live," a website with a very similar premise to the "Stop my Abortion" blog has appeared.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Welcome to the Sunset End of Life Center...How Do You Want to Die?
This is a satire of what may occur if end of life rights advocates got their way and physician-assistated suicide were to become legal, using a parody to Allegancy Reproductive Health Center's "How do you want your abortion?" and Debi Jackson's "The World As I Would Create It" as well as guidelines from an actual existing euthanasia group, "Final Exit Network"
Let's imagine a world where physcian assisted suicide is considered a private matter to be decided by the indvidual and their physician, along with their partner, family, and/or clergy if they so choose.
Welcome to the Sunset End of Life Center. My name is Jane and I'm here to assist and support you through your end of life journey. As you drive towards our center, you will probably noticed the enclosed and gated parking lot. I apologize for any inconvience this may cause. We provide this for you and your family's safety. As you enter the building, the first room you will come across is the waiting room. This is where you will check in with the secretary and a staff member will be right with you. On the first floor, are our patient service offices. First, you will meet with one of our Sunset Guides. Your individual needs and timetable will be evaluated and coordinated with your Sunset Guide who will interview you about your physical and spiritual preferences and provide you with information on all alternatives for care at the end of life, including all legal methods of self-deliverance that will produce a peaceful, quick, certain and painless termination of life. Full emotional support is available to you and those close to you, tailored to your needs.We have an on-staff pyschologist as part of our support staff. And for those who seek spiritual resoluation and comfort, we offer various spiritual services and also have an in-house chapel, which is also located on the first floor. You will also be encouraged to seek consultations with others such as your spiritual advisor, oncologist, and/or other medical specialists. The procedure itself will be preformed in either a shared medical suite or one of our private medical suites on the second floor. We will work with you to tailor your experience to your individual needs and desires. This may include involving your family, items of comfort, a relaxing enviroment, a spiritual ceremony, pain relief options, etc. And each medical suite contains a bed, a comfortable recliner, a couch, and a closet (for your personal belongings) and each medical suite looks out onto either our floral garden or our reflection pond. Your final resting place will be determined according to the prior arangements made by yourself and/or family members, whether you wish to be creamated on site or wish to be sent to a funeral home, place of worship, or private burial site.
Packages:
Economy -- A basic "no frills" package is available for those individuals who don't need ambiance or additional support. The procedure will be performed by an experienced and kind physician with your choice of pain relievers and sedatives. You will be roomed in a group medical suite with 3 other individuals, each bed partitioned and each individual's privacy respected. Yourself and other patients have chosen not to involve support persons and so the only persons in your medical suite will be be other patients and medical personel.
Spiritual Journey --The end of life journey is not just a physical experience but also a spiritual process. We offer a chaplaincy program and an in-house chapel. You can choose to meet with one of our chaplains/spirit healers and guide a week in advance to plan the ritual journey that will meet your spiritual needs. Native American (Taino clan tradition), Eastern philosophy, nature-inspired (pagan), or custom designed ceremonies are available to you and to the support people who will accompany you on your spirit quest. Or, design your own rituals with the help of our experienced guides. The procedure will be performed by an experienced and kind physician in privacy with your choice of pain relievers and sedatives.
Full Emotional Support--The decision to end your life may well be the most difficult emotional decisions an individual, couple, or family may face. Our experienced counselor will spend 2 hours with you and support person of your choice, and your appointment will be scheduled 2-7 days after that. The counselor will explore various issues, religious and spiritual concerns and offer grief coping skills to your loved ones. A choice of 3 self help books are included with additional suggestions for grief work and emotional aftercare for your loved ones. The procedure will be performed by an experienced and kind physician in privacy with your choice of pain relievers and sedatives.
The Family Package--This is an important decision in your life and of course you want your loved ones around you!! You can be accompanied through every phase of this process by the person(s) of your choosing. Counseling is available for all family members and includes training and suggestions for them to participate in your care prior to the procedure.
We thank you for choosing the Sunset End of Life Center and hope we can meet your family's needs now and for generations to come.
Let's imagine a world where physcian assisted suicide is considered a private matter to be decided by the indvidual and their physician, along with their partner, family, and/or clergy if they so choose.
Welcome to the Sunset End of Life Center. My name is Jane and I'm here to assist and support you through your end of life journey. As you drive towards our center, you will probably noticed the enclosed and gated parking lot. I apologize for any inconvience this may cause. We provide this for you and your family's safety. As you enter the building, the first room you will come across is the waiting room. This is where you will check in with the secretary and a staff member will be right with you. On the first floor, are our patient service offices. First, you will meet with one of our Sunset Guides. Your individual needs and timetable will be evaluated and coordinated with your Sunset Guide who will interview you about your physical and spiritual preferences and provide you with information on all alternatives for care at the end of life, including all legal methods of self-deliverance that will produce a peaceful, quick, certain and painless termination of life. Full emotional support is available to you and those close to you, tailored to your needs.We have an on-staff pyschologist as part of our support staff. And for those who seek spiritual resoluation and comfort, we offer various spiritual services and also have an in-house chapel, which is also located on the first floor. You will also be encouraged to seek consultations with others such as your spiritual advisor, oncologist, and/or other medical specialists. The procedure itself will be preformed in either a shared medical suite or one of our private medical suites on the second floor. We will work with you to tailor your experience to your individual needs and desires. This may include involving your family, items of comfort, a relaxing enviroment, a spiritual ceremony, pain relief options, etc. And each medical suite contains a bed, a comfortable recliner, a couch, and a closet (for your personal belongings) and each medical suite looks out onto either our floral garden or our reflection pond. Your final resting place will be determined according to the prior arangements made by yourself and/or family members, whether you wish to be creamated on site or wish to be sent to a funeral home, place of worship, or private burial site.
Packages:
Economy -- A basic "no frills" package is available for those individuals who don't need ambiance or additional support. The procedure will be performed by an experienced and kind physician with your choice of pain relievers and sedatives. You will be roomed in a group medical suite with 3 other individuals, each bed partitioned and each individual's privacy respected. Yourself and other patients have chosen not to involve support persons and so the only persons in your medical suite will be be other patients and medical personel.
Spiritual Journey --The end of life journey is not just a physical experience but also a spiritual process. We offer a chaplaincy program and an in-house chapel. You can choose to meet with one of our chaplains/spirit healers and guide a week in advance to plan the ritual journey that will meet your spiritual needs. Native American (Taino clan tradition), Eastern philosophy, nature-inspired (pagan), or custom designed ceremonies are available to you and to the support people who will accompany you on your spirit quest. Or, design your own rituals with the help of our experienced guides. The procedure will be performed by an experienced and kind physician in privacy with your choice of pain relievers and sedatives.
Full Emotional Support--The decision to end your life may well be the most difficult emotional decisions an individual, couple, or family may face. Our experienced counselor will spend 2 hours with you and support person of your choice, and your appointment will be scheduled 2-7 days after that. The counselor will explore various issues, religious and spiritual concerns and offer grief coping skills to your loved ones. A choice of 3 self help books are included with additional suggestions for grief work and emotional aftercare for your loved ones. The procedure will be performed by an experienced and kind physician in privacy with your choice of pain relievers and sedatives.
The Family Package--This is an important decision in your life and of course you want your loved ones around you!! You can be accompanied through every phase of this process by the person(s) of your choosing. Counseling is available for all family members and includes training and suggestions for them to participate in your care prior to the procedure.
We thank you for choosing the Sunset End of Life Center and hope we can meet your family's needs now and for generations to come.
Monday, September 11, 2006
We Remember...
We remember and honor the heroes and victims who died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93, September 11th, 2001.
I'd like to ask for a moment of silence right now for the victims and heroes who died on this day as well as for their family and friends....
Our thoughts and prayers are with them on this day.
Monday, September 4, 2006
Remebering Steve Irwin [May He Rest In Peace♥]
Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin was a naturalist, conservationist, father, and husband. He loved to interact with and was passionate and dedicated to the protection of wildlife and educating the public. September 4, 2006, Irwin was fatally pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray barb while diving in Batt Reef (part of the Great Barrier Reef), off the coast of Port Douglas in Queensland. Irwin was in the area filming his own documentary, to be called The Ocean's Deadliest, but weather had stalled filming. Irwin decided to take the opportunity to film some shallow water shots for a segment in the television program his daughter Bindi was hosting when, according to his friend and colleague John Stainton, he swam too close to one of the animals. He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and and through his heart.
Steve led an exciting life having a love for animals like no other this death comes tragic to Steve's family (his wife and 2 children) and also to his fans all across the world.
Steve Irwin: Febuary 22nd, 1962 - September 4th, 2006
A nice slideshow tribute can be found in the videos below:
Steve led an exciting life having a love for animals like no other this death comes tragic to Steve's family (his wife and 2 children) and also to his fans all across the world.
Steve Irwin: Febuary 22nd, 1962 - September 4th, 2006
A nice slideshow tribute can be found in the videos below:
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Important Note From NAMI Regarding Suicide Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE Hotline Set to Shut Down
Update #1:
August 11, 2006 6:30 PM
As NAMI reported yesterday, the nation's largest suicide hotline, 1-800-SUICIDE, is scheduled to go out of service. But instead of this occurring on Saturday, August 12, as previously announced, the operator of this hotline has been given a two week extension. Negotiations are still in progress that may prevent the number from going out of service. However, NAMI is still urging the public to be aware that the alternative number for those in crisis is 1-800-273-TALK.
This number will put callers in touch with the federally-funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a service that has been in operation since January, 2005. It functions as a central switchboard to immediately connect callers to virtually the same network of certified, local crisis centers accessed by 1-800-SUICIDE. So callers can receive counseling or emergency services, if needed, close to home.
All calls to the 1-800-273-TALK Lifeline are private and confidential. Confidentiality of personal information and of personal disclosures during calls is a high priority for the parties involved in operating the Lifeline.
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is working with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the entire suicide prevention community to ensure that every call for help during a suicide crisis is answered. Some of the measures being put in place include:
Ensuring that the entire suicide-prevention community is working the phones and Internet to make sure that all referring agencies know that 1-800-273-TALK is the number to call for suicide intervention.
Notifying service providers, including directory 411 and 211 operators, that 1-800-SUICIDE is scheduled to go out of service in two weeks, and to direct callers to 1-800-273-TALK for help.
Redirecting callers who call 1-800-SUICIDE to call 1-800-273-TALK through a recording.
NAMI will continue to stay involved with these efforts and will distribute additional information as it becomes available.
NAMI urges you to help distribute this alert in your community. Together, we can ensure that every call for help is answered.
Thank you,
Michael J. Fitzpatrick, MSW
Executive Director
NAMI
Update #2:
September 26, 2006
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Kristin Brooks Hope Center (KBHC) reached an agreement on August 25, 2006 which ensured the continued operation of 1-800-SUICIDE. As of September 25, 2006, SAMHSA is maintaining the line.
SAMHSA has been in contact with KBHC and appreciates their ongoing cooperation and collaboration in ensuring that individuals in suicidal crisis receive the help that they need.
SAMHSA not anticipate any changes in the near future that would affect the status of the line. If any material changes arise that would affect potential callers, SAMHSA will move swiftly to notify the field.
SAMHSA expresses appreciation for the support of the mental health and suicide prevention fields. They hope that all parties will continue to move forward and speak with one voice about the importance of suicide prevention at a national level.
Original:
August 10, 2006
The nation's largest suicide hotline, 1-800-SUICIDE, is scheduled to go out of service this Saturday, August 12, 2006. There are currently negotiations in progress that may prevent this. However, in the event that these negotiations are not successful, NAMI is issuing this alert to raise public awareness of the alternative for those in need of help.
The alternative number for those in crisis is 1-800-273-TALK. This number will put callers in touch with the federally-funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a service that has been in operation since January, 2005. It functions as a central switchboard to immediately connect callers to virtually the same network of certified, local crisis centers accessed by 1-800-SUICIDE. So callers can receive counseling or emergency services, if needed, close to home.
All calls to the 1-800-273-TALK Lifeline are private and confidential. Confidentiality of personal information and of personal disclosures during calls is a high priority for the parties involved in operating the Lifeline.
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is working with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the entire suicide prevention community to ensure that every call for help during a suicide crisis is answered. Some of the measures being put in place include:
-- Ensuring that the entire suicide-prevention community is working the phones and Internet to make sure that all referring agencies know that 1-800-273-TALK is the number to call for suicide intervention.
-- Notifying service providers, including directory 411 and 211 operators, that 1-800-SUICIDE is scheduled to go out of service beginning August 12, 2006 and to direct callers to 1-800-273-TALK for help.
-- Redirecting callers who call 1-800-SUICIDE to call 1-800-273-TALK through a recording.
As a part of this effort, NAMI will participate in a meeting with SAMHSA and its other partner groups on Friday afternoon, August 11, and we will issue an update afterwards if there is additional information to share.
NAMI urges you to help distribute this alert in your community. Together, we can ensure that every call for help is answered.
Thank you,
Michael J. Fitzpatrick, MSW
Executive Director
NAMI
Bulletins can be read at the NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) site here
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Human Rights Issue: Human Trafficking
Every day, women and children are enslaved - trapped due to fear, coercion and exploitation- and sold into sex-trafficking rings. These women often face a dismal life of poor living conditions and daily rapes, beatings, and almost constant exposure to STDs, unwanted pregnancy, and communicable disease. Faced with threats of beatings or harm to their families, they stay out of fear and often remained enslaved until they can be rescued.
You can learn more about this human rights issue and what can be done here:
http://www.humantrafficking.com/
http://www.humantrafficking.org/
Movie: Human Trafficking
Victim testimonies can be found here:
http://www.humantrafficking.com/humantrafficking/features_ht3/Testimonies/testimonies_mainframe.htm
http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/three-true-tales-human-trafficking-survivors
You can learn more about this human rights issue and what can be done here:
http://www.humantrafficking.com/
http://www.humantrafficking.org/
Movie: Human Trafficking
Victim testimonies can be found here:
http://www.humantrafficking.com/humantrafficking/features_ht3/Testimonies/testimonies_mainframe.htm
http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/three-true-tales-human-trafficking-survivors
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Indiana Amber Alert Ends in Tragedy
This is in regards to the Indiana Amber Alert issued Tuesday morning. The two missing children, Collin Walker, age 4 and Monte Walker, age 2 were found with the accused kidnapper, their father, Katron Walker, late Tuesday evening in Blackhawk, a rural area near Terre Haute. All three had stab wounds issued by the father and tragically little Collin Walker was found dead at the scene. Reportedly, Katron Walker was under the influence of Methamphetamines and Marijuana at the time of the murder. The surviving son is recovering as is the father and the father may be charged with murder.
Could the child's needless death have been prevented? There's questioning if there was a delay in the Amber Alert response time by police and an investigation led by county and state police may be taking place in two to four weeks.
News Stories:
June 14, 2006:
WRTV6, Indianapolis
Amber Alert Issued For Two Boys
Police: Boys, Father 'Accounted For' After Amber Alert
Police: Man Killed Son, Injured Another After Divorce Threat
Alert Delay? Police Say Threat To Boys Wasn't Immediately Clear (editor's note: considering one child ended up dead, I'd say it was clear)
WISH TV 8, Indianapolis
Police Say Father 'Can't Believe He Killed His Children'
Abduction, boy's death highlight Amber Alert challenges
WXIN-TV (Fox 59), Indianapolis
Father who kidnapped his two children accused of killing one
Witnesses say police slow to search for father accused of murder
Terre Haute Tribune (newspaper)
Co-workers pray for family of slain child
Father may face murder charge in death of son
Boys, dad spent day together before he allegedly killed older son
More on the Amber Alert system can be found at:
http://codeamber.com/
Could the child's needless death have been prevented? There's questioning if there was a delay in the Amber Alert response time by police and an investigation led by county and state police may be taking place in two to four weeks.
News Stories:
June 14, 2006:
WRTV6, Indianapolis
Amber Alert Issued For Two Boys
Police: Boys, Father 'Accounted For' After Amber Alert
Police: Man Killed Son, Injured Another After Divorce Threat
Alert Delay? Police Say Threat To Boys Wasn't Immediately Clear (editor's note: considering one child ended up dead, I'd say it was clear)
WISH TV 8, Indianapolis
Police Say Father 'Can't Believe He Killed His Children'
Abduction, boy's death highlight Amber Alert challenges
WXIN-TV (Fox 59), Indianapolis
Father who kidnapped his two children accused of killing one
Witnesses say police slow to search for father accused of murder
Terre Haute Tribune (newspaper)
Co-workers pray for family of slain child
Father may face murder charge in death of son
Boys, dad spent day together before he allegedly killed older son
More on the Amber Alert system can be found at:
http://codeamber.com/
Saturday, June 3, 2006
Do Pro-Lifers Care About the Born?
A popular question addressed to the pro-life individual/advocate is: Do you care about the welfare of born children and adults of this world? What about lessening the numbers of children brought up in poverty or suffering? Patricia Beninato recently challenged us pro-lifers with this on her blog.
Usually this is used as a red herring or an ad hominem attack to divert the issue at hand or to discredit pro-lifers. One might ask themselves how this has bearing on the humanity of the unborn, the personhood debate, or women's rights? But it's still a worthy concern. Actually many (not all) pro-life individuals are both involved in community improvement programs and working on an individual basis to help individuals with their basic needs. For example, the following are the community improvement programs and projects I've been involved in:
Harvest Soup Kitchen (1999-2003) and Christian Ministries Food Pantry (1999-2001)
I have volunteered, of my own free will, 2-4 hours a week a the local soup kitchen and food pantry, in order to fulfill the basic needs of the impoverished.
Mission Trip to Appalachia (June 2000)
Three young adults and two chaperones from St. Mary's Catholic Church went on a mission trip to Clintwood, Viriginia, a small town located in the Appalachian Mountains. Clintwood is a former mining and industrial town with a high poverty rate. There, St. Joseph Catholic Church assists families in need of various kinds of assistance. About 20 groups, from around the mid-west United States, visit each each summer to do volunteer work. Our group consisted of three young adults and two adults chaperones, one whom is a professional construction worker and instructor at a local vocational college. We were there for a week and during that time were granted stay in a small home owned by the church Previous to our trip, we spent two days learning basic construction skills from a trained professional (who was also one of the adult chaperons). We were assigned to do some home repair on an elderly lady's shack. She had electricity and running water (which is unsafe to drink due to septic contamination) and no indoor bathroom (just a port-a-pot in her front yard). We repaired a large hole in the living room floor and kitchen and tore-down, rebuilt, and painted her front and side porch. It was an eye-opening experience to see poverty at its worst. We received the reward of seeing the greatfulness from the elderly lady and her grown children.
Campus Christian Fellowship Service Team (fall 2002-January 2005)
A volunteer effort for college students to go out and make a difference in the community. Activities include: assisting in home repairs and yard work at The Children's Home (a privately owned foster home group located in South Eastern Illinois), assisting the local Salvation Army by bell ringing at Christmas, and more.
Heart to Heart Pregnancy Care Center (February 2003-Fall 2005)
I was volunteer receptionist and clothing room volunteer at Heart to Heart Pregnancy Care Center, an affiliate of Care Net International.
Relay For Life, American Cancer Society (June 23 and 24, 2006, June 22 and 23, 2007)
I participated in the local Relay for Life. Relay For Life is an overnight celebration of hope, progress and answers. In honor of the 8.5 million Americans who have survived cancer, teams of friends, families and co-workers raise funds to support the continued fight against the disease.
NAMI Walks for the Mind of America (June 2007 and 2008)
I've participated in this awareness/fundraising walkathon for mental illness. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The common message of NAMI is support, education, advocacy, and research.
Employer: Residential Facility for Individuals with Developmental and Behavioral Challenges (October 2007-November 2009 and May 2011 - Present)
I prior worked 40+ hours/week as direct care staff (actual title: Direct Service Technician) with children and young adults with severe autism and other developmental disabilities.
My best and closest friend is a single mom to a school-aged child. I was there for her through her pregnancy and was there when her daughter was born. We continue get together on a regular basis, also I've been there to provide emotional support, provide transportation to doctor's offices and Medicaid appointments, provided childcare for her daughter, but most of all continue to giver her support and encouragement.
Furthermore, I have an entry on child abuse awareness and prevention and I keep a public list of hotline numbers, mental health resources, and resources for those facing a poor prenatal diagnosis, as well as make use of local United Way community directories and internet search engines to help individuals find community services on request.
Pregnancy resource centers generally provide practical needs items for mothers and children up to age 3 regardless of race, sex, or religion. Here is one such clothing room of a pregnancy resource center in Indiana. The items may include: maternity clothes, children's clothings (premie up to 24T), children's hygiene items, baby food and formula, packs of diapers (on an emergency basis), and baby/children's furniture. Most PRCs have a limited supply of furniture, clothing, and other material items. All items have been generously donated or purchased with funds donated by individuals, local churches, and community organizations. The types and amount of supplies they have available varies from week to week and month to month. Some of it is new, some used. It is only the intentional of the PRC (volunteers and staff as a whole) to be of help in the early days of one's parenthood and assist the mother until she is able to support herself and for a number of practical reasons should not be expected to support her until her children are grown.
We usually don't go around anouncing or advertising our involvement and contributions. And why should we? We should be accountible of our good deeds only to ourselves and our higher power. And one should do acts of kindness from the heart and in humbility, not to make a political point nor looking for public praise or rewards. It's with hesistation I share my accomplishments, but I wanted to make a point. I am one of many pro-lifers who make positive contributions in our community, but often without recognition or reward. I realize that you may not trust that myself or any other pro-lifer is telling the truth, but that issue lies with you.
Original Comments Made for this Entry...
CatS. wrote:
well said!
Usually this is used as a red herring or an ad hominem attack to divert the issue at hand or to discredit pro-lifers. One might ask themselves how this has bearing on the humanity of the unborn, the personhood debate, or women's rights? But it's still a worthy concern. Actually many (not all) pro-life individuals are both involved in community improvement programs and working on an individual basis to help individuals with their basic needs. For example, the following are the community improvement programs and projects I've been involved in:
Harvest Soup Kitchen (1999-2003) and Christian Ministries Food Pantry (1999-2001)
I have volunteered, of my own free will, 2-4 hours a week a the local soup kitchen and food pantry, in order to fulfill the basic needs of the impoverished.
Mission Trip to Appalachia (June 2000)
Three young adults and two chaperones from St. Mary's Catholic Church went on a mission trip to Clintwood, Viriginia, a small town located in the Appalachian Mountains. Clintwood is a former mining and industrial town with a high poverty rate. There, St. Joseph Catholic Church assists families in need of various kinds of assistance. About 20 groups, from around the mid-west United States, visit each each summer to do volunteer work. Our group consisted of three young adults and two adults chaperones, one whom is a professional construction worker and instructor at a local vocational college. We were there for a week and during that time were granted stay in a small home owned by the church Previous to our trip, we spent two days learning basic construction skills from a trained professional (who was also one of the adult chaperons). We were assigned to do some home repair on an elderly lady's shack. She had electricity and running water (which is unsafe to drink due to septic contamination) and no indoor bathroom (just a port-a-pot in her front yard). We repaired a large hole in the living room floor and kitchen and tore-down, rebuilt, and painted her front and side porch. It was an eye-opening experience to see poverty at its worst. We received the reward of seeing the greatfulness from the elderly lady and her grown children.
Campus Christian Fellowship Service Team (fall 2002-January 2005)
A volunteer effort for college students to go out and make a difference in the community. Activities include: assisting in home repairs and yard work at The Children's Home (a privately owned foster home group located in South Eastern Illinois), assisting the local Salvation Army by bell ringing at Christmas, and more.
Heart to Heart Pregnancy Care Center (February 2003-Fall 2005)
I was volunteer receptionist and clothing room volunteer at Heart to Heart Pregnancy Care Center, an affiliate of Care Net International.
Relay For Life, American Cancer Society (June 23 and 24, 2006, June 22 and 23, 2007)
I participated in the local Relay for Life. Relay For Life is an overnight celebration of hope, progress and answers. In honor of the 8.5 million Americans who have survived cancer, teams of friends, families and co-workers raise funds to support the continued fight against the disease.
NAMI Walks for the Mind of America (June 2007 and 2008)
I've participated in this awareness/fundraising walkathon for mental illness. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The common message of NAMI is support, education, advocacy, and research.
Employer: Residential Facility for Individuals with Developmental and Behavioral Challenges (October 2007-November 2009 and May 2011 - Present)
I prior worked 40+ hours/week as direct care staff (actual title: Direct Service Technician) with children and young adults with severe autism and other developmental disabilities.
My best and closest friend is a single mom to a school-aged child. I was there for her through her pregnancy and was there when her daughter was born. We continue get together on a regular basis, also I've been there to provide emotional support, provide transportation to doctor's offices and Medicaid appointments, provided childcare for her daughter, but most of all continue to giver her support and encouragement.
Furthermore, I have an entry on child abuse awareness and prevention and I keep a public list of hotline numbers, mental health resources, and resources for those facing a poor prenatal diagnosis, as well as make use of local United Way community directories and internet search engines to help individuals find community services on request.
Pregnancy resource centers generally provide practical needs items for mothers and children up to age 3 regardless of race, sex, or religion. Here is one such clothing room of a pregnancy resource center in Indiana. The items may include: maternity clothes, children's clothings (premie up to 24T), children's hygiene items, baby food and formula, packs of diapers (on an emergency basis), and baby/children's furniture. Most PRCs have a limited supply of furniture, clothing, and other material items. All items have been generously donated or purchased with funds donated by individuals, local churches, and community organizations. The types and amount of supplies they have available varies from week to week and month to month. Some of it is new, some used. It is only the intentional of the PRC (volunteers and staff as a whole) to be of help in the early days of one's parenthood and assist the mother until she is able to support herself and for a number of practical reasons should not be expected to support her until her children are grown.
We usually don't go around anouncing or advertising our involvement and contributions. And why should we? We should be accountible of our good deeds only to ourselves and our higher power. And one should do acts of kindness from the heart and in humbility, not to make a political point nor looking for public praise or rewards. It's with hesistation I share my accomplishments, but I wanted to make a point. I am one of many pro-lifers who make positive contributions in our community, but often without recognition or reward. I realize that you may not trust that myself or any other pro-lifer is telling the truth, but that issue lies with you.
Original Comments Made for this Entry...
CatS. wrote:
well said!
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