Asylum

Today I opted not to take a run. Woke late this morning; agenda to read this evening after a tiring day in the office. So I drove out to Point Chevalier to take a photo of this painted traffic signal control box. I knew it was there, and have been meaning to go back for some time; for the series. Today became the designated day.

Back in April I blipped the actual building of which this is a representation. The same image is on the other side of the two boxes. On each end is a painting of a senior nurse in the finery they once wore; in the years when everyone trembled in the presence of Matron, and Sister was someone to be cautious around.

Second last meeting of the year. Only one day in Wellington (tomorrow). Then one more week after this, the last part of which involves a conference in Adelaide, before I start a six week locum in the inpatient unit.

Initially, I had decided to write no more. Then there was a problem in uploading my blip, and I am starting again (sort of). So:

Asylum is not a bad thing to provide to people. We recognise that for political refugees. Strangely, the same politicians who are happy to spend taxpayers' money to provide political asylum, balk at providing emotional asylum to those in our society who need the dignity of a place to call their own (even if it is within a protected environment), and enough food and clothing to be comfortable and healthy.

No. We as a society "believe" that the person with disabling mental illness wants to live on the streets begging for money for food. That they prefer to be marginalised. If you revisit my April blip, scroll down and read what scribbler wrote about a man in her church. Something which shows how well the severely disabled can fit in where there is a will to accept them.