On Former nurse explains powers of being positive
Posted on August 30 at 12:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I wish I could have been at this event. As a RN I couldn't agree with her more about the power of being positive. I learned a long time ago to leave the negative and any bias at the door. I also learned that no matter who I am treating and what they have done, they are still a human being with a story under it all. I don't have to agree with or even accept their behaviors/actions, but I can usually find what makes them tick and see what has led them down the path they chose. It's not an excuse, just a reason. I have also been able to then gently encourage a change of path. Since they don't get that from anyone very often, they are sometimes very thankful and actually want to try to do something positive. I was taught in nursing school that every human being has some intrinsic worth...somewhere inside them. The insight I have learned has helpe me to help many people, even if it was nothing more than a smile and a touch that they needed. As nurse4u said,"You catch more bees with honey than vinegar." That is absolutely true! It is amazing when you are kind to people and watch them bloom, especially those that aren't usually shown kindness.
On 'One little thing': Layoffs, health problems hamper homeless family
Posted on August 24 at 2:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My heart goes out to this family! A few years ago, while I was trying to finish my RN degree, we had to ask for assistance ourselves. I know how bad things can happen to good people. It can be so hard to get ot of a rut when things keep happening. I did actually snap at someone once when they were giving me the disgusted look when I was using my MA card. By the time I got done with them, they were apologizing for pssing judgement. None of us on this earth have the right to pass judgement. Mr. Easton made some poor choices in the past, but he has taken responsibility for his choices and is trying to move on. He deserves the chance. Thank God Mike's dad has opened his door for this family. Hopefully the bad is behind them and they can move forward. I hope Cheryl has a full recovery, she is young and that will help her gain back as much as possible. Maybe they can qualify for a program such as DVR or one of many others and be able to go back to school for retraining. These progras have helped many. Cheryl should definitely qualify when she is better. This family is an example of exactly who deserves the many programs out there. I agree too many abuse these programs and should be off.
On Sexual predators are often mom’s boyfriend
Posted on August 17 at 2:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
bn 1967: this may sound corny, but Thank you for protecting your kids and beng a responsible parent...and also a realistic parent. I sure wish more were like you! As a nurse I have taken care of some of these kids when they have been brought to be examined. Their innocence is gone and they damaged forever. I also fully agree that these men can't be rehabilitated, as a matter of fact studies have pointed to that fact. They are sick!
On Working poor still struggle
Posted on August 17 at 2:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Finally the proof of what I have been seeing as a nurse is published! Now, if the federal and state governements would just open their eyes! How can a family, even with 2 people making $10/hr afford their share of a health/dental premium, childcare, rent/mortgage payment, gas at almost $4/gal or more, vehicle maintenance, car insurance, car payment, co-pays for prescriptions and medical visits, and food?! We lived that years ago before I got my RN degree...and gas was a heck of a lot cheaper then. Education was even easier to get then. Something HAS to change. Too many times this group of people puts off medical way too long due to the costs and then are more ill by the time they do come in. Those medical co-pays add up quickly and can be just as overwhelming as having no insurance. Then they are made to feel like deadbeats even though they are trying as hard as they can. I am more than happy to give free care whenever possible. I am going for my Masters degree now so I can be able to give more. I wish more people would give just a little. They say these people shol get better jobs...well if they don't work in these jobs, who will? They are important jobs and are needed. A sad and downward spiraling situation!
On Sexual predators are often mom’s boyfriend
Posted on August 17 at 1:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
evansvillehousewife: I agree with you 100%! I would rather not have someone in my life and make sure my kids were safe than to be sad because I didn't have a boyfriend! You are so right in saying that when you have a child you MUST protect them. Those kids are the mom's/dad's (there are female abusers also) responsibility to keep safe. If the single parent needs to be in a relationship that badly, then they need some help! Otherwise go to the "toy store" and get some batteries! At least the child is safe and the sick jerks aren't succeeding! I turned in a case of sexual abuse to a child once. The whole family is so dysfunctional! The girl was taken to counseling for only what was mandated then they stopped. She is still a mess to this day and this was 6 years ago. The offending family member is in jail and the other family members expect her to talk to him as if nothing happened! Sick, sick, sick!
Posted on July 5 at 12:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
somomojo: You finished painting the picture of what I was suspecting. I am glad you filled in the missing pieces about Mr. Staskal's younger years. More than ever I agree with you that he should not be in the community. Perhaps Judge Byron has an extra room at his house since he is so determined to get him back in the community. I'd even give him a ride to Mendota to spend that quality time there! Thank you for sharing your information. It seems that all we can do is pray for the best. How sad that is.
Posted on July 4 at 12:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
lynda: Thank you for your vote of confidence! I appreciate it.
Posted on July 4 at 12:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
janesvillian: You don't have to believe a word I say. I am just giving my opinion and sharing my experience. When you work with the mentally ill, you find out very fast that many of them really did not want to leave the institutions because that is their safety net. Some of them just can't adapt to lfe outside in the community. It's too noisy, too bright, not structured, too many decisions that are hard for them to make, and too many people. Overall, it is just too much stimulation for them to cope with which sends them backwards instead of forward in progress. maybe you should do some research to see just how startling the statistics are for repeat offenses of violent crimes after release. Maybe you should go take a tour of Mendota so you can get a more realistic view on the whole big picture. I've seen what can happen because the LAW says someone needs to be released. Our laws have failed us many times, I'm sorry that you can't see that. Mr. Staskal has an illness that can't be cured yet. Meds may help, but putting him in society may not be the best thing for him or society. The other side of this coin is will he be safe out in the community? There is a good chance he won't. Laws are enacted on good intentions, but they are not always thought through thoroughly. As a matter of fact, I know of another person living in Janesville that was a mandatory release and they made the hair on the back of my neck stand up when I interviewed them for placement. I said no way, but another home said ok. I know for a fact that they have beaten a staff on more than one occasion and still have questionable behavior while out in public. We still don't know how they obtain the personal property of others such as car keys and photo ID's. Being out in society is not always the best way to "help" these individuals.
Posted on July 4 at 12:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
wahoo: It doesn't necessarily have to be what anyone did to him. Unfortunately mental illness will often rear it's ugly head in the late teens and early twenties. I truly don't believe that it is anyone's "fault." I vaguely remember the story when it first happened, but I didn't think at that time that it was really anyone's fault. That is what makes mental illness a sad and frustrating illness...and yes, scary also. I believe you that in school he may have seemed fine. I do wish that research could figure out how to fix what has gone wrong with these people. When this happens, others tend to forget there is still a human being under the illness.
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On Former nurse explains powers of being positive
Posted on September 3 at 4:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
lizajane:Oh, I hear you on the co workers! UGH! I don't tolerate backstabbing and just plain nastiness from my staff. I had a nursing student last summer and she was terrified because of how she was treated at first. It was totally uncalled for. Staff and I had a discussion and the rest of her summer went quite well. They actually found that they liked her despite her new nurse/student status. So much good energy wasted on sheer meanness.