Musings on anything. |
I am so frustrated. I know a woman who has been evicted and is sleeping in her car. She knew for months this was going to happen and did nothing to stop it. She didn't even pack her belongings. This is an intelligent woman with a four year degree and a ready knowledge of history that impresses everyone. But she can't take care of herself. She is 65 years old and cannot follow directions. My church paid to cremate her father two years ago and has paid her electric bill at least twice. They paid for a U-Haul truck, supposedly for one day, but she kept it a week, before a couple of men went after it and demanded the keys. Volunteers moved her unpacked stuff into the truck and to a storage facility which someone else paid for. The Salvation Army has bunk beds, but she can't sleep in a top bunk because of vertigo. After two attempts to get an empty bottom bunk, she refuses to go back. She sabotages everything everyone does for her or the directions she's given She has to get rid of her cats and is greatly distressed about that. I tried to talk to her about getting a winter coat, and she walked out, saying, "My spirits are too low to deal with it right now." To me, that spells mental illness: she can't face reality. There are shelters in town. There are social workers, charitable organizations, Food Bank, etc. This is a small church that just can't afford to support her. Members have given her cash, blankets, as well as rides and help moving her stuff. You can't take her by the hand and force her to the right offices during business hours and make her cooperate. There is a possibility that she enjoys suffering and being the center of attention. She has disability income and food stamps. She cant manage her own life. It's frustrating for everyone who knows her because they are empathetic. They don't want to see her freeze or be attacked at night. But no one can adopt an old woman who is stubborn and unhealthy. There is the old saying, 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.' In this case, the horse can't be led to water if he just refuses to go. |