Selective Support

This letter was published in the July 26 edition of the London Free Press, after some built up frustration…

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While most of the support I receive is excellent, I’ve been having problems with some people who complain about every aspect of a support worker job.

Welcome to a job where you are paid decently to do everyday activities. This job doesn’t allow you to pick and choose what you wish to do. Your job encompasses everything from assisting with personal care to assisting with the cleaning and maintenance of household animals. Any allergies and other health concerns are noted and understood.

You simply don’t like dogs, cats, cooking or cleaning? We never wanted a lifestyle in which we constantly need to ask for help. Your job will never be thankless, unless you make it so yourself.

You took this job because you thought it would be easy? Life is never easy, and helping others takes a lot of emotional strength and compassion. Just because you help us, does not make you more superior, or give you the right to pass judgment on what is right or wrong in any aspect of our lives.

You took this job as a bridge into a nursing career? That does not make you a nurse yet. You will, without a doubt, be dealing with more graphic and gruesome things than dogs, cats, cooking and cleaning.

Your job is to help, not to hinder. Independent living does not mean selective oppression of human rights.

Karli Steen