Posted by Elizabeth on May 29, 2001, at 12:23:32
In reply to Re: blocked from posting - DianeD, posted by NikkiT2 on May 29, 2001, at 11:32:16
> You know nothing about my circumstances or how damned hard I have worked just for 2 weeks in Thailand seeing a very very close friend.
Nikki --
I know this is a heated subject, and Diane was way out of line (and was blocked for it, as you probably noticed). I really don't think she really believes that you *shouldn't* get to go to Thailand. I think she felt angry and defensive; anger often makes people say things that they don't really mean.
> I work hard to earn money, and have never asked the state (I'm in the UK) for anything. Why should I not have 2 darned weeks with a friend to try and help me. I doubt it will help me a huge amount, but it may give me two weeks of feeling lsightly better out of 10 years.
I'm sincerely happy for you that you'll be able to go on what sounds like it will be a fun and relaxing vacation. My suggestion is that you not worry about whether this vacation will be "therapeutic," but just try to enjoy yourself to the extent that you are able.
But I hope that you didn't mean this as a general put down directed at people who get assistance from the government. Mental illness has different effects on different people, depending on the severity and time course of the illness, whether and how thoroughly the illness is treated, the specific type of impairment that the person suffers as a result of the illness, whether the person has good social supports, etc. Some people don't have family to help them when they need a break and are too disabled to work; some have young children they need to provide for, and can't take the time off to go on a vacation even if they are able to work. I believe you when you say that you worked hard to be able to take this vacation. I just hope that you don't look down on people who aren't able to work to save up enough money to do special things like that.
I sincerely mean everything I've said here -- please don't take any of it as sarcasm. I wish you a pleasant vacation and hope that you return feeling a little bit better than you have been.
peace,
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:17065
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64590.html