Exploring Resilience via Lifes Burning Issues

Tag: reflection (Page 23 of 23)

A Merry Xmas?

Merry Christmas by Blacklord

Merry Christmas by Blacklord

The Christmas holiday season is traditionally full of people wishing each other a merry xmas, sprouting bon homie, and being full of the festive spirit. This is NOT a traditional xmas message!

Some of you will know that I am full of the festive spirit and regularly spout bon homie a bit of a Bah Humbug sort of person when it comes to Christmas. There are a few reasons for this, but I won’t go into detail. I do really like Christmas day and the immense joy that it brings to my children (even though it is heavily tinged by the fact that one of my children no longer experiences that joy), but I really hate the fakeness of the lead up and the forced sense of camaraderie that everyone displays.

For many this time of year is a bigger struggle than normal, as they struggle to provide for their families and see their children go without, or as they spend Christmas alone, or as they continue their battle with illness, or they remain homeless.

For some this is the first xmas without a special loved one, for some it is the first xmas dealing with a family member with severe disability, for some it is the first xmas tinged with immense sadness for many different individual reasons.

Not everyones view of Christmas is a positive one.

If you are one of the lucky ones for whom this time of year is full of joy, and you get to spend it surrounded by loving family, congratulations, please consider this request……….

in the last days before xmas is there something that you and your family can do to lighten the burden of those less fortunate ?

A sad reflection on choices.

Gavel by WalknBoston

Gavel by WalknBoston

My Period of Reflection
 
I have been quiet here for a bit…. and that is because I have been participating in a Coroners Inquest into the drowning deaths of eight children. Each of these deaths is an absolute tragedy. Sadly toddler drowning deaths, and children being left severely disabled by non-fatal drowning accidents, occur all too frequently. In the developed world drowning is one of the top three causes of accidental death in children aged 0-4.

Being in the middle of a series of posts on choices, my time in the court was a cause for a great deal of reflection on the subject of choices, and on the consequences that can flow from seemingly harmless choices by a wide range of people.

Systems choices and the perfect storm

The choices that lead to the deaths of these children were not just choices made by parents or caregivers, they were also systems choices made by people . Choices  State Governments to ignore previous recommendations from Coroners to improve regulation and compliance with Swimming Pool fencing laws. Choices by  local government to not implement inspections and choices to not follow up on development applications. Choices made by real estate agents in leasing premises without regard to the safety of the pool. Choices made by landlords about what they would and would not repair. Choices made by retailers of swimming pools about what information they provide regarding the safety of swimming pools and the need for them to be fenced and comply with legislation.

Any single one of these decisions on their own would seem to be inconsequential, but as happens all too often, numerous choices not to act or choices to ignore result in a “perfect storm” and someone pays the price. Sadly in relation to swimming pools it is often a young child.

The Stigma

Many people often place the “blame” solely on the parents of children who have drowned without looking at the systemic issues involved. I have responded to one Journalist who is against proactive measures to reduce toddler drownings here.  Anyone with children will tell you that you cannot keep your eyes on them 24/7, it is impossible.

Maybe part of the reason it is so hard to effect change in this area is because of the stigma that people place on the parents of a child who has drowned/near drowned, that causes them to be very reluctant to speak out about the circumstances and issues surrounding the event. The additional fear of backlash after telling their story only serves to compound the grief and guilt that they already feel, and it always comes from those who say they ALWAYS watch their children.

Society in General

We all have a responsibility to help keep ALL of our children safe. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to prevent the leading causes of accidental death of our young children………

what would you be prepared to do to help save the life of a toddler……. how would you help stop the tragedy of child  death and disability from drowning….. I’d love to hear your suggestions……..

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