Invisable Victims

A Human Connection

Most of us are familiar with the evocative, unforgettable, newspaper image of ‘The Falling Man' from September 11, 2001. That, as well as many other images from the day the Twin Towers fell, is burned into our minds. Like myself, I'm sure that many were glued to their television for days following the tragedy. Images of devastation were broadcast on televisions the world over, bringing the pain, shock, and loss of many into our living rooms and sorrow and empathy into our hearts. An understanding of urgency cut through the normal bureaucracy and social complacency. There was no doubt these people needed our help, nor any hesitancy in getting it to them. For a little while, we were connected, and that connection infused us with a sense of compassion and responsibility towards our fellow humans.

On Boxing Day, 2004, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra spawned a devastating tsunami. The island nation of Sri Lanka reported a death toll of 21,715. In real time, mayhem, human carnage, and loss were broadcast into our homes. The face of one silent, unknown, small toe headed boy had millions helping in the search for his relatives. Nothing was known about the child, except that he was completely without people, but we undertook an exhaustive search until they were found and the child was reunited with family. We felt the terror and confusion of all who survived. We could relate to the fear of parents searching for children, men and woman whose last vision of their spouse had been when they were suddenly bereft of the grip they had on their hands. Our humanity, our connection with any who were suffering in the wake of devastation led us to unquestionable understanding, and a desire to help. World wide, grief was a palpable reality and conversations resonated with the knowledge that we as individuals could make a difference, and be a part of healing. Heartbreak and compassion galvanized us into action. We were driven in our desire, and unquestionable ability to help these people rebuild their lives as quickly as possible.

During the late summer of 2005, a category 5 hurricane had a catastrophic effect in Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. On August 29th, the death toll stood at 1,836, with many missing and unaccounted for. Many of us wept as we witnessed people having to flee without crucial possessions. Images of families stranded on rooftops, with pleas for help written on the boards beneath them, were witnessed by helicopter pilots and sent into our homes, planted in our hearts. Many of the fallen were warehoused in parking garages, ministered to by helplessly ill-equipped caregivers, waiting for transport to over burdened hospitals. Many died while waiting. We experienced joy and wonderment at the ability of strangers to become friends in the face of tribulation. At the same time, we were incredulous, and angered, at those who took advantage of millions in trouble- to loot and steal from their fellows. One of the most shocking and disturbing images' borne of Katrina is that of hungry dogs feeding on the corpse of a man washed up in the receding flood waters of New Orleans. Any who saw it, reacted with revulsion and shock, instinctively responding with a sense of outrage that one of our own could be reduced to food for the animals. With willingness and stoicism, we bore witness. In spite of a nation's grief, the concept of a global connection was made real. Our children and their schools gathered food, blankets, and toys for ‘their friends' affected by the hurricane. Celebrities, foundations, and individuals in positions of influence, called for us to come together in aid of victims; and aid them we did, without prejudice, without question of deservedness or need.

These examples of the faces of trauma, and the need for compassion are all too obvious, as are many others; the ravages of the innocents in war or famine, the outrage suffered by murdered and abused children, even the heartache of abused and abandoned animals can resonate within us. We are able to empathize readily, with ease. We have no difficulty recognizing the need for our intervention. We are armed from the outset with a deep understanding. The rightness, and our ability, to bring strength and sustenance, both spiritual and physical, is not questioned. Our human compassion raises an outcry for justice, to set things to rights. Sadly, however, the places where compassion is most lacking are often much closer to home. Our own forgotten victims of trauma, our own in need of justice, are overlooked; their realities are not understood or appreciated. They do not receive our help. In fact, many step right over them without even seeing them. They are the great multitude living on our streets, homeless, addicted, and mentally ill. Who will bare witness for them?

Most of us have warm, inviting homes to go to. We have snacks in the fridge and cupboards when we are hungry. Soft, warm, beds receive us when our minds and bodies demand respite from the day. The proposal that we give these things up voluntarily would be ludicrous. We would not choose to exist without them. Yet, that is what is suggested of the thousands of people struggling to exist on our streets. When we experience a challenging day, we likely have someone with whom we can unload, debrief, without fear of being judged; a friend or loved one who knows us and can therefore empathize, validate what we are feeling, and perhaps help us find a different perspective on our feelings. While in the process of making a difficult decision, we may turn to our family and friends for their considerations, their opinions. It is the natural thing for us to do- to seek out our human connections. The compassionate understanding we receive from others is something we need, on a day-to-day basis, and losing it would likely wreak havoc in our lives. Knowing this then, must we not understand that others would not choose to live this way either?

Undertaking a census of our homeless is very problematic due to a number of factors. It is difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish an accurate count. There are the ‘hidden' homeless, people who are couch surfing at the homes of various friends and relatives. Many families are forced to separate under these conditions, left without the connection to the very ones most important to them. Those who live in shelters from domestic violence, or health treatment centres, are very often homeless. Many are able to take advantage of shelters, but this provides them with a bed only, not a home. They often are not permitted to settle for the night until 7:00 or 8:oo in the evening, and have to leave the premises by 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning. Many found in our correctional facilities are homeless, and often their homelessness was the catalyst that landed them there. In April of 2005, the estimated homeless on the streets of Toronto was a staggering 5052, with Vancouver's homeless estimated at 2174. Many, if not most, are living with the stigma of addiction or other illness as well as mental health issues.

While observing our children at play what is it we see them playacting? Do they aspire to be social outcasts, unhappy and misunderstood? When asked what they want to be when they grow up, how do our children respond? Do they tell us they want to be addicts, shut-ins, or one who makes a living walking and working the streets? Do they dream of being fearful of the world, and unsure of their place in it? Of course, they do not. They tell us they want to be astronauts, and reach heights beyond our imagining. They dream of being ballerinas, captivating our spirits with emotion and beauty. Yet for the hundreds of thousands living on our streets who were once children with dreams of their own, the reality is that of hopelessness, loneliness, poverty and disease, cut off from a life sustaining human connection.

These people are parents, siblings, someone's children. They have experienced something that holds them in a place they certainly did not plan to find themselves. They are victims and they need us, no less then those who suffer the unexpected, sudden tragedies brought on by Mother Nature or inexplicable acts. It may surprise you to know that we also need them. An intentional effort on our part to be of service brings our own connection home to us. When we hear the call for justice and answer with compassion, we are empowered. We believe we can make a difference in the world, we matter. Even the small effort to guard, or question, our thoughts and perceptions, makes a difference. Thought, after all, is simply one form of energy, and all energy goes somewhere. Consider the unique opportunity held by those who work closely with our invisible- the homeless, the addict, and the mentally ill. Health practitioners, emergency room in-take workers, law enforcement agencies and counsellors interact with these people every day. If they were to base their actions on informed opinions and compassion, the care provided would reach farther and be of greater effectiveness. Are we not as capable of, and responsible for, helping our misunderstood victims as we are in helping those whose need we understand easily? I find it beyond comprehension that many of our homeless are being turned out of hospitals and sent back out into the street, while still ill and in hospital gowns. I say, "Shame on us". They are just as capable of dying from trauma, starvation, and disease, as those we are willing to aid in other parts of the world. We are just as capable of causing their deaths as we are of raising their hopes and expectations.

Next time we are out in the world, busy with our lives, and we come across one who's appearance and behaviour seems outlandish, perhaps we can remember this is not their original chosen path. When they begin to tell us things about themselves that sound ‘crazy', perhaps we can look beyond their words and find their humanity. Finding and staying in touch with that place where we are all connected, where our compassion lives, invites change for these people, and growth for ourselves.

The state of the world today is indicative of a lack of compassionate understanding. It has been so all throughout our evolution. Yet, as a species we have proven that we can accomplish anything we imagine. Our genius has enabled us to seek out the darkest space and deepest oceans. We have conquered many diseases that in the recent past were certain death sentences, and we have made ‘real time' information accessible at the push of a button. Even more impressive has been our spiritual evolution. We have elevated the status of women and children from that of mere possessions, to being persons in their own right. We brought an end to the American trade in human beings as slaves. We have found the courage to question our leaders, no matter our financial or community standing. We brought these changes about through compassion and love- not romantic love, or the love we feel for especially dear friends, but unequivocal compassion- spiritual love. I would suggest it is time for the next step in our spiritual evolution. Wouldn't you agree?