Reminders

Borepatch has a post up here about abuse at state run facilities for the mentally disabled. I'd like to add my voice to his.

During my years as a police officer one of the most heartbreaking and infuriating things I had to deal with was such abuse and the downright inhumane indifference that often goes on at such places. It's important to remember that the predators out there are drawn to situations where their inner evil may flourish. Watchfulness is the key. Sometimes we have no choice but to place a loved one in a care facility but our responsibility does not end there. We must be vigilant and frankly obnoxious about their care. Whether the facility is private or government run, the price they may have to pay for a failure on our part may be catastrophic. I've seen it and disgusting is far too weak a word for what can go on. People in those facilities are shockingly vulnerable.

No one asks to be placed in such a situation, whether it's to us or someone we love, but things we wish never were do happen. We cannot forget them and we cannot forgive those who would prey upon the most vulnerable among us, be they children, elderly or disabled.

Six