This morning I went to my Facebook and there was a heartwrenching message waiting there for me. It was from a mother in Trinidad who has a son with autism. Her son had gotten away from a goverment camp recently, and was fortunately found several miles away, but with no clothes on. She was asking me for help and advice. I will help her all I can, but the truth is there is only so much I can offer. WHY? Because, the light still has not come on for many around the world who can help those with cognitive disorders who wander off and become lost!
This also points out this is not just a problem we are dealing with in the US but a problem that truly has international implications.
Now, what is it that I refer to about the light? Simply, when you look around and see how big this problem is getting and the money it is costing agencies and organizations in mounting large searches for these individuals who have become lost, it is mind boggling to think that many of them could address this problem quickly and with less expense, but choose not to do so. And, many of the foundations giving money could have a hugh effect if they would also recognize this problem and allow some of their funding to be used to help agencies establish Project Lifesaver. When the aforementioned happens, that is when, I believe the light will come on. Until then, agencies will continue to fumble around in the dark or adopt the Ostrich theory of dealing with this problem by sticking their head in the sand. One day, they will have to come up for air and look around. By then, this situation will have spiraled more and more out of control. I’m sure their reply will be, “Why didn’t someone tell us about this?” We did! We are trying! You just prefered not to turn on the light and see what was happening!
The Light
This morning I went to my Facebook and there was a heartwrenching message waiting there for me. It was from a mother in Trinidad who has a son with autism. Her son had gotten away from a goverment camp recently, and was fortunately found several miles away, but with no clothes on. She was asking me for help and advice. I will help her all I can, but the truth is there is only so much I can offer. WHY? Because, the light still has not come on for many around the world who can help those with cognitive disorders who wander off and become lost!
This also points out this is not just a problem we are dealing with in the US but a problem that truly has international implications.
Now, what is it that I refer to about the light? Simply, when you look around and see how big this problem is getting and the money it is costing agencies and organizations in mounting large searches for these individuals who have become lost, it is mind boggling to think that many of them could address this problem quickly and with less expense, but choose not to do so. And, many of the foundations giving money could have a hugh effect if they would also recognize this problem and allow some of their funding to be used to help agencies establish Project Lifesaver. When the aforementioned happens, that is when, I believe the light will come on. Until then, agencies will continue to fumble around in the dark or adopt the Ostrich theory of dealing with this problem by sticking their head in the sand. One day, they will have to come up for air and look around. By then, this situation will have spiraled more and more out of control. I’m sure their reply will be, “Why didn’t someone tell us about this?” We did! We are trying! You just prefered not to turn on the light and see what was happening!
Chief Saunders