anyway..carrying along with last nights post as a preclude...
to me it is disrespectful to treat fully functioning adults like they are weak little frail morons unable to cope or grasp reality without long song and dances, continual cajoling and sugar coating stuff to make it sound warm, comfortable and palatable.
as an example..when I go see a client who has been falling a lot and has a walker gathering dust in a corner because of their pride. I just tell them outright, blunt and clear..the walker is not your enemy...it is a tool to give you independence and to keep you home and safe. the last thing you need right now is a broken hip. use the walker... be smart, be safe.
9 times out of 10, they get it. and what is interesting is..they do not get mad at me or think I am mean. they actually like and trust me because I care enough about them to speak clearly and honestly so they know the risks and don't misunderstand.
however...in the saints world where we think we or the animals are immortal and nothing bad ever happens and everything should be fuzzy and nice...if I run into someone and bluntly say..."the cat door was left unlocked and if one of the cats got out and in with the mastiffs, that cat would be dead"...people sometimes take offense to this because I made them feel stupid or bad. and this is where I run into trouble because I do not understand why these kind of truths need to be wrapped up in pretty paper to make them easier to accept. I am not saying anyone is a bad person..i am simply saying pay attention and lock the door so we don't have a dead cat.
I do not get the 20th century political feel good speak that is wide open to various interpretations and misunderstandings because it is easier or nicer to hear. i like to be clear..this is exactly how it is and these are the very real risks of consequences here.
I believe most folks are big enough and smart enough and strong enough to hear the plain simple truth and not crumble under the weight of it. i respectfully believe we have the ability to accept and deal with a simple truth, adjust and move on.
At least the lobotomy isn't booked yet.