Thank you for taking us out to San Diego. A lot of the places we visited was the first-time I was stepping foot there, so I enjoyed this trip a lot. In this trip I definitely viewed the world differently and have more compassion for people. Everyone has their own struggles they face, and we probably don’t even realize it as we see them or as we may walk past them in the street or if we were to randomly talk with them. Everyone has a story to tell and everyone’s aging will be different, so I feel it should be our responsibility to comprehend and try to understand what they may go through and don’t be so quick to judge. Moreover, we were taught at the Potiker Family Senior Residence that the poverty line for people in America was created in 1950 and hasn’t changed since. What in the world? My first thought was why?? It is evident that life is dramatically different now than it was 70 years ago, but the law hasn’t changed to accommodate to today’s needs. I am astounded that this law hasn’t changed, and I am really hoping that there will be a change for our people. There are a lot of things wrong with this and I wish I may learn more and have a part to create change to this. Furthermore, we were able to tour the Potiker Residence and it was very nice from the outside, but what I did notice is there wasn’t much accommodation for residence with disabilities. For example, the hallway doors did not compliment the needs of people with disabilities and I saw it would be very difficult for people with disabilities to open the doors and walk through them alone. This did raise a concern for people with disabilities or even people who may not be able to open a door that heavy. Then, we met Irene (I believe) and she gave us a tour of her room. The room was small, but she made it home and it seemed she liked to live there. She was so welcoming to visitors and happy to have us there to share her story. She shared how she is very grateful to be there, for she was previously at a nursing home in Texas. At Texas, she was suffering from mistreatment at the nursing home and bed bug infestation. My heart broke hearing her story and watching the tears in her eyes. The suffering she went through to finally be there and be able to find an affordable home made me realize the difficulties people can go through to age comfortably. She was so grateful and hopeful to be there. She makes me think of others and then I worry, what are other people’s stories? How are the people on the waiting list doing? Where are they? Are they okay? Moreover, we went to Sara Francis Hometel and it was just a whole different atmosphere. The second we were stepping foot in I can smell the cigarette in the air and a different feeling than the Potiker. I felt scared and worried for the residence because it doesn’t feel like a home. We walked around the halls and so many different unwelcoming doors: a sign of “no spray please” and “the dog shouldn’t worry you rather the owner of the dog” and a bag of water nailed at the top of the door entry. Another classmate shared that one of the residents told them “Don’t live here!” This tour really made me realize the different circumstances and situations people can go through in life. Going along the tour, we went to North Park Senior Apartments for LGBTQ Seniors. This place barely opened like a year ago and the amount of thought and care that was put into the residence is amazing. The color coordination in the doors so residents won’t get lost, railings in the hallway, and wide enough bathrooms for easy wheelchair movement was just so heartwarming that there is a place for easy at home aging. I kept reflecting on the game we played at our first retreat, how anything can have an effect on our lives and the privileges we inherit. The game keeps coming to mind this quarter as we are going to new places and also as I am walking around in my own life. Life became very real to me and makes me appreciate all my opportunities and gifts in life and makes me want to help other members in my community.
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MARICELA CANOWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2019
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