Yesterday should have been an ordinary day for a small family in St. Ann, Missouri. Yesterday should have been just another day for most people in North St. Louis County. Yesterday should have been an uneventful day for the St. Ann Police Department. And, yesterday shouldn't have happened for one heroin addict behind the wheel of a car.
I'm talking about the tragic, horrible accident that happened at the intersection of Ashby and St. Charles Rock Road in St. Ann, Missouri. A busy intersection in the heart of strip malls, fast food restaurants, and chain retailers.
The reports are sketchy, but basically what happened was this: a man and his wife and two-year-old child in a stroller were crossing the intersection intending to go to the barber shop next to the local pizza parlor. Cross traffic was stopped on a red light. However, one driver came through the intersection and slammed into the family, throwing the child 8 to 10 feet away. As of this writing, the baby and mother are in critical condition; the father with broken bones. The driver was high on heroin and passed out at the wheel; his foot slipped from the brake and on to the gas pedal, causing the car to move forward.
My daughter told me about this accident last night when she picked me up from work. My heart came out of my chest.
This morning, the Facebook page Rock Road Reporter was flooded with local reaction to this tragedy. The community is pulling together to find ways to help this family. The outpouring of support and sympathy is incredible. While many of us in North St. Louis County cannot contribute financially, so many are offering time and talent. This is what community is about - helping one another. Not tearing one another down. Not building walls (are you listening, Donald?).
This story brings many emotions. Sympathy, empathy, and mostly, outrage.
Heroin is a destructive drug - as are many drugs. It has become an epidemic in our country. I watched my childhood friend lose two siblings to this horrible monster. Once it captures its victim, there is no letting go. The escape is almost exclusively death.
How did we get here? With all the information that is out there, why is this a problem? DARE programs exist in most schools in St. Louis County and St. Louis City. I can't speak for the rest of the country, but how is the message of stay away from drugs being missed?
How?
Why?
Now a drug addict is facing a whole lot of problems stemming directly from his abuse. Even if this person has a conscience, and it's not my place to judge, he should feel sick to his stomach for what he did. I guess heroin removes all that from the user. I wouldn't know.
Twenty-four hours ago, a young family woke up to a cool, spring day with ordinary plans. Ordinary plans for an ordinary day.
Please pray for all who are touched by this terrible tragedy. If any of my local readers are able to help, please do. We are a community.
Showing posts with label abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abuse. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 06, 2016
Monday, April 21, 2014
Raising Awareness . . .
Aware (adj.) - 1. having knowledge or realization; conscious. 2. informed. awareness (n) *Random House Webster's Dictionary Fourth Edition
Almost everyday, I see something or hear something in the news or on Facebook about a group of people raising awareness for some worthy cause - Autism, Heart Disease, Child Abuse, Alzheimers, etc. We even have national awareness days for pancakes, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, people with red hair, various ethnic groups, and so on. All of this is wonderful, fun, and eye-opening. Hence, the name, Awareness.
I would also like to raise awareness of a social problem that is sorely overlooked. The neglect and abandonment of shoes. Drive along any highway, side street or parking lot and you will find a lost shoe somewhere. Some are dress shoes, but most are athletic shoes. Some of these shoes are so beat up that they are almost unrecognizable.
Shoes protect your feet from the dangers of the outside world. They withstand the onslaughts of puddles, gravel, dirt, gum, glass, your sweaty feet, dog poo, other people's feet, puppy teeth, and extreme temperatures of heat and cold. They do this without complaint. They are loyal - always stay where you left them. They can make you look dazzling, help you cross the finish line or land that job. They are truly Man's best friend.
Yet, we treat them so shabbily. They are cast aside, like, well, a worn out shoe. The abuse must stop. Let's find a loving home for these poor cast-offs. Only we can stop the madness.
*Clip art by Graphxpro/Redbubble
Almost everyday, I see something or hear something in the news or on Facebook about a group of people raising awareness for some worthy cause - Autism, Heart Disease, Child Abuse, Alzheimers, etc. We even have national awareness days for pancakes, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, people with red hair, various ethnic groups, and so on. All of this is wonderful, fun, and eye-opening. Hence, the name, Awareness.
I would also like to raise awareness of a social problem that is sorely overlooked. The neglect and abandonment of shoes. Drive along any highway, side street or parking lot and you will find a lost shoe somewhere. Some are dress shoes, but most are athletic shoes. Some of these shoes are so beat up that they are almost unrecognizable.
Shoes protect your feet from the dangers of the outside world. They withstand the onslaughts of puddles, gravel, dirt, gum, glass, your sweaty feet, dog poo, other people's feet, puppy teeth, and extreme temperatures of heat and cold. They do this without complaint. They are loyal - always stay where you left them. They can make you look dazzling, help you cross the finish line or land that job. They are truly Man's best friend.
Yet, we treat them so shabbily. They are cast aside, like, well, a worn out shoe. The abuse must stop. Let's find a loving home for these poor cast-offs. Only we can stop the madness.
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