Hotlanta nights....

Sorry for the meager posts lately, but I just got back from Atlanta, where I was attending the American Society of Hand Thearpists meeting. The setting was at a swanky Hyatt in Atlanta, right downtown. Just me and a few thousand other hand therapists, about 95% female I might add. We listened to research article presentations, went to numerous vendors booths and generally devoted our 7am-6:30pm schedule to all things upper extremity rehabilitation. I know, most of you have yawned at least once by now......

Overall I enjoyed Atlanta - has that old south feel in parts, and that "struggling to fight blight" feel in others. The most suprizing thing I noticed was the number of homeless men throughout downtown. I couldn't walk two blocks without seeing a guy sleeping in a doorway, or carrying everything he owned in a bunch of grocery sacks. Not to say anything about race, but generally these were 25-45 year old african american males. I wondered, "what's their story", "are they from here, or have they come south for the fall?" It was one sad perspective on the downtown scene.

As I'm getting ready for surgery, I took a walk each evening of about '45. Each walk cost me at least $1 for the one persistant panhandler that would get my attention (they're good). I kept thinking "whatever you do unto the least of these, you do it unto me", and felt like such the hypocrite when I'd pretend not to hear them as they gave different renditions of "I need a dollar so I can get something to eat". I've heard great stories of people who tell the panhandler, "I won't give you money, but I'll gladly take you to McDonald's for a meal", and then they witness to them. Or, they say ok, and lead you to a dark alley next door to McDonald's and beat you senseless to get the "beer money" they really want....... Dilemma of conscience.

As a general rule, I don't give $ to panhandlers (I'm sure most of the $ ends up at the nearest liquor store), but I do support our local homeless shelter and give to the united way etc. I know that's an easy cop-out, and that it's not personal witnessing. I need to come up with a better plan of what to do in this situation. Any ideas?

Well, It's good to be home, but I'm really bushed and need to get some shut eye. That's all for now.

God Bless and Good Night