My attempt to be socially relevant

This morning Yahoo News had an article about a woman who lived in the bathroom and her skin grew to her toilet seat. The fire department had to bust the seat off the toilet so it could be transported to the hospital with her. Before I read the whole article, my instinct was to giggle because of the toilet seat. I am juvenile and thus have that kind of humor.

But after reading it, I felt a little sad. Because most people who read it will have that initial reaction.

Apparently, this lady was beaten as a child. Her mother passed away early in her life and whoever "raised" her kept her inside the majority of the time. Although she was living with her boyfriend of 16 years, this 35 year old woman decided the bathroom was a "safe place". That she would just hang out in there and continue her life from there for two years. The boyfriend said he tried to coax her out everyday and they continued to converse and carry on like normal, except in the bathroom.

There are so many reasons why we as people don't notice these things. We have busy lives. We have committments and deadlines and kids and jobs. But at some point this woman was an abused child. And it was allowed to go on. And no one stepped in and got her to a safe place. She had to create one in her bathroom at age 35. And it was an illusion. One that may have caused her to have an infection in her legs that damaged nerves that will cause her to be in a wheelchair.

This is what I would ask of us. Be aware. If you have a funny feeling about something, perk up and pay attention. And don't be reluctant to REPORT behavior and treatment that could cause a child to grow up and need a "safe place". The people who mistreat children in so many varied ways COUNT on people being disinterested, distracted, reluctant, and nervous about interfering. It's the only way they can continue to behave that way without fear of consequence.

In that vein, but with no pressure, there is a new class for potential volunteers in the CASA program that is set to begin March 25th. If you are interested in finding out more about the program or would like to participate, I will be happy to give you any information you need.

*clears throat and leaps off of soapbox*