on a serious note

got a phone call at work the other day from a woman wanting the help-button.  turns out she is 38, uses a walker and Depends.  She used to be (in her words) "normal."

This woman, let's call her Alice, was working at a drug rehab recovery house where naturally there is a no-drug-dealing policy.  She saw another co-worker, let's call her DP (demented psychopath), doing a meth deal.  Well, if the po-po (fuzz, pigs, 5-0, the boys in blue, Johnny Law) found out that there was a drug deal going on, they ALL go down, but not if it is reported by someone.  Naturally, she reported DP to her BossLady.  Well, little did she know, BL and DP were in cahoots, so BL told DP that sweet responsible Alice had been the one to tell on her.  Demented Psychopath that she was, she decided to get revenge.

DP put very small amounts of DRANO in Alice's coffee every day. Apparently it is tasteless and odorless in coffee, and poor Alice had no idea until one day she up and keeled over. She was rushed to the emergency room but by then it was too late, her nervous system was forever changed.

Alice lives by herself, but has limited mobility (she is in a walker), is incontinent, and has no short-term memory.  By her words, she "won't remember this conversation five minutes after we hang up." She also falls all the time.  She is in worse shape than the 90 year old I just sold the button to last week, who still drives, is hilarious, sharp and hip.

The worst part is, her Aunt Sissy controls her finances, and when I called dear old Auntie to get her the help-button, the family cannot seem to come up with $30/mo to help poor Alice.  They are waiting for the government to give them something so they can get it for free.  I know times are tough, and I am not asking to take food off of anyone's table, but your poor niece is completely fucked out of a life.  (sigh)

Good news: (well, good-ish) the DP (deplorable person, demented psychopath, devil's partner) is rotting in jail.

This doesn't seem like quite the right blog to share this story, but I had such a moment today of feeling grateful for all that I have: my health, my family that loves me and would do anything for me, and the ability to follow my dreams and passions and live a life that I love; I wanted to share that possibility of hope and happiness with you, dear reader.  And if you feel so inclined, send a prayer, shout-out to the universe, some good mojo-juju, or peace love happiness vibrations to this poor woman whose life will be forever altered.