Stifled Progress

Nothing about the job intimidates him –
has lived the ups and downs of mental health –
besides, he cries for the children, abandoned
who jump from home to institution, lost.

Nods at warnings about attachment
knows all the drills of the hospital
feels certain he’s found his place –
is hit hard by the rejection

Seems personal experience, and the willingness
to speak the truth about stigma, shunning
and how many stay silent has no place
on a ward where old school rules.

(Written for Reena’s Xploration challenge #175. Image my own)

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VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

10 thoughts on “Stifled Progress”

  1. Well, penned, V.J. The stigma and old ways of dealing with these issues is slow to change. How many lives are on hold or worse because they cannot find timely, informed, caring treatment.

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      1. I was wondering if there was an actual event that prompted your poem. Disillusionment in the helping professions is such a tough thing, to realize you’re powerless to provide the help needed.

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      2. I also have a sister who lives with paranoid schizophrenia and have observed first hand the frustration. A psychiatric nurse once told me that our city has too few doctors to address the needs. I could go on….

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