Family is something I’m so happy and grateful that I have.
My mum’s immediate family and extended in Nigeria are the best.
Anytime they take the time to get in touch I always feel that sense of belong and unity ,and I truly treasure it, as to me as family is priceless.
But I’m sad not everyone gets the true sense of value of family that I do.
Let me elaborate.
There’s a man in a neighborhood close by to mine in London.
He always looks disheveled, and always in the same clothes, and a bottle of whisky is never far from his grasp.
What upsets me people just run away from him in disdain ,but I’m one of the of the other people that feels a sense of shame and despair that vulnerable person is once again failed by the system.
As you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to know he’s evidently vulnerable, and maybe the only contact he has with the outside world is a quick visit from a social worker whose burdened with overloading case,so her time will be stretched for genuine ‘’personal concern.’’
I asked someone who knows him why is his condition like this ,and he said to my horror.
‘’He was abandoned by his family when his relatives died, so was then brought up in the system, and due to that neglect he never had that incentive to do something truly meaningful with his life’’. The person also let me know despite appearances he’s harmless.
I think naively people can say it’s his fault his life is like that, but I don’t.
Life has so many twist and turns, and not everyone is built to cope with overwhelming tragedy.
I remember my friend from way back in high school saying her family check on her muslim neighbour (I think of east African descent), as she had a breakdown since her mother’s death, and was never the same again.
And the irony is she was a lawyer, so yet again appearances can be deceiving, and we shouldn’t be quick to judge.
I’m just happy despite feeling the stranger was threatening to know he has contacts in his area for quick chat , but I feel sad still to know he can’t work due to his health, and his remaining family still refuse to assist him.
What I feel is tragic about society.
I’m one of the few people that can stand, and take notice of a sad situation most people in that area. I see just pass him without a second thought.
What state has humanity descended to.
Since I’ve been growing up in Britain I always hear especially from the Afro-Caribbean community in Britain.
‘’ I’ll rather spend my retirement years, and die in Africa or the Caribbean than be overseas and end up dying of loneliness.
At least if your poor or rich your with your family’.
To me that is true.
So many people abroad fall through the cracks when they don’t have family.
And that is a fact.
I feel more resources should be allocated to mental health ,and getting vulnerable people more integrated in their communities.
Sadly there’s an alarming rate of people that have that attitude ‘’that what don’t concern me don’t bother me’’.
But I want to present the question to people that ridicule the mentally ill or vulnerable in society.
How would you feel if the roles were reversed, and you end up being the starring role.?