Will You Make A Difference?

It is Sunday morning, and I am sitting here alone thinking about my week.  Normally, I would be at Mass, but the RA Troll has decided to strike, and so, I am at home.

I am a Christian, and so I do not believe in holding grudges.  I believe in forgiveness and second chances.  But I am a bit sad today.

I have noticed a disturbing trend of late.  People are staring and sometimes glaring at me as I climb out of my little truck that is parked in the handicapped space at whatever establishment I am visiting. I really don't get out much, so the frequency of these occurrences really strikes me.

I require a cane for walking, so it isn't as though there is no obvious sign that something is wrong.  That doesn't seem to make a difference.

I have had some kind looks.....usually from older people, who often, are using walking devices themselves.  I am 59 years old, but people say I don't look my age.  Perhaps because my hair has not turned white yet.  I don't know.

I also feel the tension from other shoppers as they wait for me at the checkout to write my check or look for change in my purse.  My hands are not what one would call nimble anymore.  It takes me awhile. The more tension I feel from the other shoppers, the more my fingers freeze up, as I try to push them beyond their limits.  Generally, at least, the cashier is kind.

I recently posted a petition on my FB page advocating for chronic pain patients.  In an attempt to control prescriptions drug abuse, the DEA has made it more difficult for those who truly need those medications to get them.  They have made it so difficult on the doctors that many of them are not prescribing pain meds at all anymore.  Instead, they want to refer  you to a pain management specialist.

Pain management docs are like all the others.  Some are good, and some are bad.  Some are greedy.They overcharge for drug tests because they can.  People with chronic pain conditions are so desperate for help, they don't have much choice.  Then there are those patients who simply cannot afford the extra expense.  They are left to suffer.

One of my acquaintances commented on my DEA petition post.  Her comments reflected a total lack of understanding, or even desire to understand, the plight of chronic pain patients. I was appalled at her lack of compassion.

The economy in this country is struggling.  Jobs are few and low-paying. I get that. I was forced to stop working almost a year ago, but I haven't been out of the labor market for so long that I don't understand the stress this situation causes.

I would hope that were I still able to work, that I would have some kindness and compassion in my heart for those who struggle just to get up and shower every morning. The hardness of hearts that I see every day now seems to me to be directly linked to unhappiness and anger.

Iif people remembered that we are all God's children, things might get better.  We are God's hands on earth, and we are to love our brothers as we love ourselves.

Somehow that message has been lost.  Perhaps if each one of us went out of our way to be kind and understanding, we could make a difference.  We need to make a difference.