u/cherry-care-bear

I've been totally blind all my life and all though I've had some great resource teachers and such, I've also had some who crossed lines in how they talked to me, treated me, etcetera.

During my time in college, I became close friends with the person responsible for ensuring my reading materials and such got recorded, put into braille and so on. It wasn't long before things started slipping. When I'd ask about my books, I'd be told to explain to my professors that I'd get the materials when I got them. When I started falling behind in my classwork and assignments, I felt I had no choice but to approach this person's boss about the situation. We got into a 'huge' argument about it, after which, this person filed charges against me that could have gotten me expelled from school alltogether. It was retaliation and has haunted me ever since. I don't like asking for help, ever.

I haven't thought about exactly how it felt back then in years. I'd love to hear how others have coped in anywhere near similar situations. There's nothing like that kind of powerlessness; but that can't be it.

I'm blind and grew up very poor but also very engaged in my education, perhaps because disability and my own academic potential drew the right attention. Many of the kids around me at that time came from homes where chaos reigned and you were punished if you struggled in school; it wasn't investigated but just deemed your fault. I'd bet my life thatstill goes on in a lot of households now, too. We all know how important education is but we also know that perpetual dysfunction isn't necessarily something kids--or parents--can overcome alone.

Many kids will fall through the cracks. Does society at-large bear any responsibility for that or is it a consequence of how it is, being born poor, etcetera?

And if major things need to change, where does the weight of that fall?

Life is hard but exponentially so when you're poor; especially if you're a child with no control. Are those kids truly just on their own?

I know a lot of us are busy and drowning and struggling due to poverty so is the education thing just a talking point for everybody else?

Educators have so much to say but those of us living in poverty, especially with kids, are saying not much. TBH, I don't know whether it's that many are too overwhelmed to care or just expect 'teachers' to do all the work.

Like do you ensure your kids have enough to eat bc it's hard to study or care when you're hungry? Do you share out responsibilities between adults 'before' putting that on teens so 'they' can study, do extracurriculars or whatnot? Do we 'actually' read to out kids?

Like how do we know what's possible, literally, for us in just managing if we never talk about it?

School is starting any minute now--and has all ready for some. What are we doing differently this year? Let's get the convo going since 'we' know our situations best and 'want' the best for our kids.

As the person so many who really are alone have often turned to, I'm struck by the falsehood of it. TBH, I feel like a lot of us are losing the knack of sitting with the tedious aspect of showing up for others. Managing how we feel because we 'do' care--even when literally being there isn't fun--is crucial.

Ignoring how isolating our absence from the lives of certain others can be just seems like shirking our basic human responsibility.

It just seems like things are fracturing in ways that mean the substance that binds us and holds our fantasies about everything from family to society are falling apart.

What are we--specifically to one another--without all that? How can we not, ultimately, wind up alone?

I know it relates to thermodynamics, energy or whatnot but I'd like to understand, literally, what the process is; like exactly what's happening when the AC unit in my studio apartment is on and making so much noise as it's doing it's thing.

Like what things is it doing to achieve it's functional result?

I also don't think it's free, though, at least to start.

I feel like social media has crossed some line and is now infiltrating how a lot of people feel about existing as a whole. People don't show up for one another in the same ways and expect fixes in everything from politics to AI to address issues only primal human connection is actually meant to account for. Anxiety, emotional disregulation, Etc., seem to be increasing exponentially; talking about it is changing nothing but only, substantively, supporting that illusion.

It's either constant filler or noise or it's perpetual distraction we're becoming desensitized to the significance of as it undermines the energy and focus required to keep up with things like parenting and actively maintaining other foundational relationships.

I guess I'm just wondering how social media was propelled to such a pivotal role in so many lives and if there will ever be a way back to a less cheap, transactional and essentially soulless form of existing.

As a person who can sit with and listen to various kinds of people, giving undivided attention and genuine interest in whatever's being said, I'm struck by how alone some might feel because others would really rather not be bothered. Time it's self is becoming an interesting kind of commodity.

I guess I'm just wondering what kinds of boundaries can be set to both show up for those in your life in a meaningful way while simultaneously protecting your peace. Like is accepting some bit of tedium essential or is the aim to show up for people in a different way?

This post is neither venting nor complaining but simply observing and an attempt to get an engaging discussion on this topic in motion.

Title says it. Doc says protein is low but meat isn't getting any cheaper.

Funny how errors with your food stamp case can happen in a blink but take forever to resolve.

Honestly, my apartment is a single room, it's hot as hell outside and the AC is essential but I sincerely hate all the noise. One thing that helps me cope is my sturdy noise-canceling headphones.

It's a little nuts how hard it is for me to relax when it's so loud.

I also got myself a little foot massager-bath thing which also gives me something to look forward to and helps to alleviate stress.

What about you?

Some years back, I had a terrible bout of the flu and was given prescription suppositories for nausea. Desperation meant I at least tried getting one into the right place but I was so dizzy and hot that...

I was cleaning out an old purse and found my plastic hospital bracelet from when I had to go to the ER; this was long before I'd ever heard of Reddit so figured I'd ask. And here because, OFC, ya'll know.

I was just listening to a thing about 8yo girls with beauty and skincare routines and brands of products to go with this trend that are marketed especially for them. One person said the girls want to be like they're moms and do what they're doing but I think it's way more complicated than that.

I made a post asking what parents would suggest teachers do to ensure their kids payed attention and behaved in class. One commenter said it would be good to make sure they were well-fed and hydrated. I thought wow, sounds like instructions you'd give someone taking care of an exotic pet for the first time. Plus that response doesn't actually answer the question, really.

It just feels like a lot of us are out of touch with the reality of the value of being alive, nurturing one another, sharing time casually and so on. The social side is getting more flimsy and the mental side is disintegrating even faster as people work to put more value into their online life than their actual one--or pics of the real thing as opposed to the literal experience.

It's scary to observe how much we're just deciding isn't worth it because deep down, a lot of what we crave just can't be replaced by the modern interpretation.

Is it possible to get back to basics--even a little--or are we mostly cooked?

I was just reading a post on the education sub by one teacher asking others for strategies. It baffles me why parents aren't a bigger part of this conversation.

I was just reading a post from some one in my local sub wanting to start a book club. I thought man, that would be cool. THen I was reminded why I tend to avoid that kind of thing. I'm a very grounded or centered person; it helps me feel safe. However, for some reason, in any group I've been a part of, there's always either one person who gets to focussing on me or one who does who makes me the center of attention for others. It's embarrassing, awkward and completely unnecessary. Often, retreating alltogether feels like my only option.

If you've had similar experiences, what do you think causes it?

A woman died because of these kids' actions. Another woman died after some other bored teens decided to drop a 65-pound log from a height onto a hiking trail even though they knew it was in use.

It's callous behavior that OFC also means you're throwing your own life away.