How on earth did we ever reach a place where a single person controls the fate of all the rest? They call it democracy, but in reality only one person is voting. If it keeps up we are going to have to throw all the coffee in the bay.
If one person has fears or concerns, everything is stopped. We are planning a Christmas Bazaar and were given the permission to proceed. We began making plans. We drew up a floor plan, proposed advertizing, and made plans to address the concerns we anticipated. Frankly, nothing came up that we did not anticipate. But when word got out, they believed that strangers coming into our building posed a physical threat to our residents. I guess they thought there would be a robbery, a rape or they just might be seen by the evil eyed stranger. We are going to do it, but in a must less desirable space.
It’s true that if access were gained to the elevator and/or stairs, a stranger could access the resident floors. But we planned blocks and guards at all the potential escape routes. That is not good enough. What if these horrible people get around our guards? What if a resident leaves their stove on and starts a fire. We could all be killed. What if the elevator sticks between floors and the people get claustrophobia? Maybe we should remove the elevator. The fear has stopped the installation of entrance doors that would make it significantly easier for those in wheelchairs to gain entry. Security lights installed in a dark area of the property were significantly delayed because the light might shine in someone’s window. A group wanted to paint the windows for the holidays, but someone might not be able to see through the window. The plan was not even considered. Besides, we would make a mess. WHAT? Do none of us have enough sense to clean up after ourselves? The no’s have it.
The corporate leadership continues to reduce and eliminates positions. That happens when stupidity and working outside the corporate guidelines costs the company $42 million. And, no, they don’t have it.
When I arrived we had a full time manager. We now have one who works only 8 hours a week. She cannot keep up with the required paper work in that amount of time. The social coordinator position has been terminated. It really doesn’t matter because she was spread so thin amongst all the facilities that we were lucky to have one event a month planned.
Now they want the residents to be responsible for their own entertainment. Good idea, but if one person does not like the plan, it will be closed down. Since nearly everyone has at least one enemy, I am bracing myself for every event to be canceled. In the last manger-less period Maria and I planned and executed almost everything. She doesn’t want to do it again because the criticism is so painful. I don’t really like the condemnation, but since more people will enjoy the event than will resist it, I refuse to be shut down by one angry depressed semi human being.
I have always believed it is easier to get forgiveness than permission. That is about to become my new motto. There will be no more corporate van. No one has been trained to drive it and load wheelchair residents. I regret that those three residents will be excluded from some events, but I have a van and can take six. I’ll plan day trips. I’ll announce the movies I’m going see and fill my van. I’ll plan going out to breakfast, lunch or dinner and fill my van. I’ll BBQ once a week or every other week for those who bring their own meat. We will lawn bowl, organize a walking club and get more table games going. And we will succeed because we will never tell management what we are doing. They will have to catch us in the act. Great. This feels like college. We will be sneaking and planning and hoping not to get caught. It will be a blast. I was rather successful at it in my college days.
They can say no, but they will not take my joy or enthusiasm for life away. I am only one, but I am a capable one — and sneaky.
2 comments:
If anyone can do it, you can....You show 'em Clyde.
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