I just read a heartbreaking story about a boy from Paraguay named Jorge. He has autism but was locked away and forced to live in nasty conditions. The story has a happy ending with the MDRI and Paraguay making an agreement to help improve the conditions of state run mental institutions.
ALL over the world there are serious issues with mental institutions. The problems come from lack of funding, education, awareness, and just ignorance of the issue. In the next few posts i want to finish talking about the problems in regards to institutions in particularly and expound upon some ideas and steps already being made toward a solution to the complex problem. There is no one single answer, but I first believe in awareness. Later on i will talk about legislation/reform organizations etc. but right now awareness is something on my mind.
The fact is that people just don't know. Abuses have gone back many many years. Medieval times and before even, abuses have been thought to be the solution. One would think that in modern times we would have a better knowledge of these things, but they are often covered up, as most ugly history is.
But i say that awareness is definitely the first step. Mentally disabled people deserve the same chances in every aspect of their lives that we have. They deserve fair opportunities for jobs, a good education, stimulation and therapy, a safe, clean environment, and love.
Mental institutions in many places worldwide do not provide this. But there are better solutions.
- H
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