What an Interesting Afternoon!
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I received a call today at about 4:15 PM from the local United Way office. Someone in my area has a crisis - no air conditioning in 120+°F heat. I stopped in to check on the guy, and his place is hotter than hell; the air conditioning outlet temperature is over 80°F and rising. He has emphysema, congestive heart failure, and can't walk without a walker and a bottle of oxygen. Last week he had a CAT scan and discovered that he has an epileptic tumor on the brain, which causes him to black out and fall down at random intervals. He told me that he tried suicide already, by dousing himself in lighter fluid and setting himself afire, but his wife found him and got him to emergency care after putting out the fire. He told me today that he's looking for a better, more effective way to do himself in. WTF am I supposed to do with that info? Lend him a gun? Call the local loony bin? I contacted Harrah's Casino, and they are buying him a new air conditioner; they also offerred him a free room and meals until the work is completed. But I know that in his state of advanced depression he won't take advantage of the room or the meals. We have some limited mental health services in this area, but I don't think they can do interventions, and he won't call for help. What the heck can I do with this?
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus Long -
I received a call today at about 4:15 PM from the local United Way office. Someone in my area has a crisis - no air conditioning in 120+°F heat. I stopped in to check on the guy, and his place is hotter than hell; the air conditioning outlet temperature is over 80°F and rising. He has emphysema, congestive heart failure, and can't walk without a walker and a bottle of oxygen. Last week he had a CAT scan and discovered that he has an epileptic tumor on the brain, which causes him to black out and fall down at random intervals. He told me that he tried suicide already, by dousing himself in lighter fluid and setting himself afire, but his wife found him and got him to emergency care after putting out the fire. He told me today that he's looking for a better, more effective way to do himself in. WTF am I supposed to do with that info? Lend him a gun? Call the local loony bin? I contacted Harrah's Casino, and they are buying him a new air conditioner; they also offerred him a free room and meals until the work is completed. But I know that in his state of advanced depression he won't take advantage of the room or the meals. We have some limited mental health services in this area, but I don't think they can do interventions, and he won't call for help. What the heck can I do with this?
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus LongDunno, Roger, that's a tough one. I've never been through anything like that before, so I can't offer any sage advice, but if you have time, I would recommend going to see him at least once a day. Perhaps your compassion will give him the glimmer of hope he needs to go on.
Jon Sagara
A bottle a night isn't alcoholism - it's persistence! -- A coworker, jokingly -
Dunno, Roger, that's a tough one. I've never been through anything like that before, so I can't offer any sage advice, but if you have time, I would recommend going to see him at least once a day. Perhaps your compassion will give him the glimmer of hope he needs to go on.
Jon Sagara
A bottle a night isn't alcoholism - it's persistence! -- A coworker, jokinglyGood suggestion, Jon. Thank you.
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus Long -
Dunno, Roger, that's a tough one. I've never been through anything like that before, so I can't offer any sage advice, but if you have time, I would recommend going to see him at least once a day. Perhaps your compassion will give him the glimmer of hope he needs to go on.
Jon Sagara
A bottle a night isn't alcoholism - it's persistence! -- A coworker, jokinglyJon Sagara wrote: I would recommend going to see him at least once a day. Perhaps your compassion will give him the glimmer of hope he needs to go on. Absolutely. That would be my suggestion as well
Ryan
"Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"
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Good suggestion, Jon. Thank you.
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus LongYeah, I think Jon's right as well. There is little else you can do. Also unless he is completly housebound for some other reason, see if you can get him out of the house. And take him anywhere !! Regardz Colin J Davies
*** WARNING *
This could be addictive
**The minion's version of "Catch :bob: "It's a real shame that people as stupid as you can work out how to use a computer. said by Christian Graus in the Soapbox
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I received a call today at about 4:15 PM from the local United Way office. Someone in my area has a crisis - no air conditioning in 120+°F heat. I stopped in to check on the guy, and his place is hotter than hell; the air conditioning outlet temperature is over 80°F and rising. He has emphysema, congestive heart failure, and can't walk without a walker and a bottle of oxygen. Last week he had a CAT scan and discovered that he has an epileptic tumor on the brain, which causes him to black out and fall down at random intervals. He told me that he tried suicide already, by dousing himself in lighter fluid and setting himself afire, but his wife found him and got him to emergency care after putting out the fire. He told me today that he's looking for a better, more effective way to do himself in. WTF am I supposed to do with that info? Lend him a gun? Call the local loony bin? I contacted Harrah's Casino, and they are buying him a new air conditioner; they also offerred him a free room and meals until the work is completed. But I know that in his state of advanced depression he won't take advantage of the room or the meals. We have some limited mental health services in this area, but I don't think they can do interventions, and he won't call for help. What the heck can I do with this?
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus Long> WTF am I supposed to do with that info? The fact that he's sharing this with you is proof enough that he's reaching out and wants help. Whether you want to get involved with this is all up to you. I don't envy you; it's no fun, but how far are you willing to go to help your fellow man?
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I received a call today at about 4:15 PM from the local United Way office. Someone in my area has a crisis - no air conditioning in 120+°F heat. I stopped in to check on the guy, and his place is hotter than hell; the air conditioning outlet temperature is over 80°F and rising. He has emphysema, congestive heart failure, and can't walk without a walker and a bottle of oxygen. Last week he had a CAT scan and discovered that he has an epileptic tumor on the brain, which causes him to black out and fall down at random intervals. He told me that he tried suicide already, by dousing himself in lighter fluid and setting himself afire, but his wife found him and got him to emergency care after putting out the fire. He told me today that he's looking for a better, more effective way to do himself in. WTF am I supposed to do with that info? Lend him a gun? Call the local loony bin? I contacted Harrah's Casino, and they are buying him a new air conditioner; they also offerred him a free room and meals until the work is completed. But I know that in his state of advanced depression he won't take advantage of the room or the meals. We have some limited mental health services in this area, but I don't think they can do interventions, and he won't call for help. What the heck can I do with this?
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus LongNot to be cold, but why shouldn't this individual be allowed to end his life if he desires? Sounds like he's totally miserable and somewhat chronic. If he were a horse or a family pet everyone would be saying "Sad, but it's time to put him down. It's for the best." It seems we hold double standards for humans. Beauty is only a lightswitch away.
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I received a call today at about 4:15 PM from the local United Way office. Someone in my area has a crisis - no air conditioning in 120+°F heat. I stopped in to check on the guy, and his place is hotter than hell; the air conditioning outlet temperature is over 80°F and rising. He has emphysema, congestive heart failure, and can't walk without a walker and a bottle of oxygen. Last week he had a CAT scan and discovered that he has an epileptic tumor on the brain, which causes him to black out and fall down at random intervals. He told me that he tried suicide already, by dousing himself in lighter fluid and setting himself afire, but his wife found him and got him to emergency care after putting out the fire. He told me today that he's looking for a better, more effective way to do himself in. WTF am I supposed to do with that info? Lend him a gun? Call the local loony bin? I contacted Harrah's Casino, and they are buying him a new air conditioner; they also offerred him a free room and meals until the work is completed. But I know that in his state of advanced depression he won't take advantage of the room or the meals. We have some limited mental health services in this area, but I don't think they can do interventions, and he won't call for help. What the heck can I do with this?
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus Long -
Not to be cold, but why shouldn't this individual be allowed to end his life if he desires? Sounds like he's totally miserable and somewhat chronic. If he were a horse or a family pet everyone would be saying "Sad, but it's time to put him down. It's for the best." It seems we hold double standards for humans. Beauty is only a lightswitch away.
Mike Mullikin wrote: Not to be cold, but why shouldn't this individual be allowed to end his life if he desires? Sounds like he's totally miserable and somewhat chronic. If he were a horse or a family pet everyone would be saying "Sad, but it's time to put him down. It's for the best." Completely agree with you, not much use for Roger though. Mike Mullikin wrote: It seems we hold double standards for humans. Something to do with Jesus or whatever deity the individual who speaks out against it follows. Every so often I see in the media people being prosecuted for helping someone commit suicide or even if they knew it was happening and didn't stop it. I find it disgusting that people aren't allowed to end it when they want to. Amazingly it is mostly people close to them who claim to love them too much for them to go. Though I believe it is their own weakness and inability to get along after the person is dead that makes them say this dribble. Michael Martin Australia "I personally love it because I can get as down and dirty as I want on the backend, while also being able to dabble with fun scripting and presentation games on the front end." - Chris Maunder 15/07/2002
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I received a call today at about 4:15 PM from the local United Way office. Someone in my area has a crisis - no air conditioning in 120+°F heat. I stopped in to check on the guy, and his place is hotter than hell; the air conditioning outlet temperature is over 80°F and rising. He has emphysema, congestive heart failure, and can't walk without a walker and a bottle of oxygen. Last week he had a CAT scan and discovered that he has an epileptic tumor on the brain, which causes him to black out and fall down at random intervals. He told me that he tried suicide already, by dousing himself in lighter fluid and setting himself afire, but his wife found him and got him to emergency care after putting out the fire. He told me today that he's looking for a better, more effective way to do himself in. WTF am I supposed to do with that info? Lend him a gun? Call the local loony bin? I contacted Harrah's Casino, and they are buying him a new air conditioner; they also offerred him a free room and meals until the work is completed. But I know that in his state of advanced depression he won't take advantage of the room or the meals. We have some limited mental health services in this area, but I don't think they can do interventions, and he won't call for help. What the heck can I do with this?
"The Lion shall lie down with the Lamb;
but the Lamb will not get much sleep..."
Lazarus Long1st, his decision to end his life is not your responsibility. 2nd, your level of compassion and your mental health are your responsibility. from my own experience i know that visiting regularly even if he doesn't seem appreciative will affect him for the better. getting him out, even if he complains will affect him for the better. calling a mental health clinic or church may provide you with better support and answers than we at codeproject can. we may have some experience with this kind of situation, but they have better training and experience. hth Josef Wainz Software Developer