During one sunny afternoon, I found myself sitting around and waiting next in line with my dad for the nurse to care for him. Just another monthly routine check-up, to monitor his blood work, vitals and depressants. Fortunately, this was one of his effortless visits because my dad wasn’t in his aggressive mania stage. He successfully managed and operated various businesses, had a girlfriend and maintained a beautiful home.
In any case, here is where it all changed. We decided to have lunch after our hospital visit. Jamaican food was the unanimous decision. While we were ordering our food, a mentally ill person walked in the restaurant and everyone stopped to observe him. To my surprise, instead of offering him free food, they asked him to leave. Witnessing that response made the hair on my back of my neck stand up because that could have been my dad.
I felt it was my responsibility to defend that person and so I did. At my expense, I asked the cashier to give him whatever he wanted to eat and be allowed to sit down and enjoy his meal like everyone else. She looked at me as if I had two heads. I quietly whispered to her “remember sickness doesn’t discriminate” and neither should you if you believe in the Lord.
Point well communicated and then we were on our merry way. There are so many people in this world who suffer from mental illness who are sadly mistreated. It is our duty to be compassionate. Regardless if you are rich or poor, uneducated or not, sickness doesn’t discriminate.
Hope this read served you well and opens your heart. Remember to hug someone today, love conquers all!
Apolonia Edwards
