RANDOM THOUGHTS/ MARCH 3

John Muir (April 21, 1838 – December 24, 1914) was one of the first modern preservationists. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in nature, and wildlife, especially in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, were read by millions and are still popular today. His direct activism helped to save the Yosemite Valley and other wilderness areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organizations in the United States. His writings and philosophy strongly influenced the formation of the modern environmental movement.
John Muir once said everyone needs, “places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” I was in Eastern Kentucky last week to attend the funeral of my Aunt (mother’s side of family) and I certainly needed the healing power of God’s creation. I drove through Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky. The reason for the trip may not have been pleasant, but the trip going up was God’s finest creation of nature. Coming back to Glen Alpine, I was in snow most of the way which lends a beauty to the landscape all its own. Thank God for the beauty he has provided us to live upon.
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The cover of NEWSWEEK dated March 3, 2008 has these words, “The Hunt for an Addiction Vaccine.” In the article we find these words, “In the current jargon of the recovery movement, addiction to alcohol, drugs or nicotine is a ‘bio-psycho-social-spiritual disorder’, a phrase that seems to have been invented by the treatment industry to emphasize how complex the problem is and how much more funding it deserves.”
I have tried to find the origin of the word or its first use, but can’t. I know I used it first in 1988 in relationship to my own mental illness and at that time I had not read it anywhere else. If any of you know the beginnings of this word please let me know. I know I took bio-psycho-social and added social, but I would like to know where it was first being used.
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On the editorial page of THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER this past Sunday there was an editorial titled RETHINKING REFORM speaking of the mental health system here in North Carolina. Most important fact in it is the fact we are spending $16.80 per capita on mental health care. The national average stated in this editorial is $91.12 per capita. You are argue about the details of reform, but one thing for sure if you don’t fund it you have made sure it will fail before it gets off the ground.
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On the front page of the same paper was a story about the deaths in our state hospitals here in North Carolina. “Most died of natural causes, but a News & Observer investigation shows that 82 of those patients died under circumstances that raise questions: homicides, suicides, accidents, inadequate treatment or mistakes.
Family members of the deceased, who have a legal right to receive complete information about how their loved ones died, often are not told the full details. State reviews, death certificates and autopsy reports confirm the death toll. Of the 82 deaths that are questionable, 20 who died were above the age of 65. A review of conditions in North Carolina's state mental hospitals by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004 concluded that employees routinely violated patients' civil rights. The inappropriate use of physical restraints and seclusion were cited as major problems, as were inadequate mental-health treatment, unsafe building conditions and the failure to ensure the reasonable safety of patients."
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We need to know that someone cares. I guess that is why I turn to faith communities and say to them it is time to embrace us. To open your arms. To seek us out and let us know you love us and want us among you. It is time to stop sitting safely in the pew and boldly reach out your hand and heart open to those of us with broken brains and shattered souls.
You can reach me directly at edcooper@projectdreamagain.com