The Maholian Way - Part Four: Social inclusion and connection

Maholians recognise both the humanity and the cost effectiveness of ensuring that all citizens have functional lives and are able – as far as possible – to support themselves, participate in society and contribute to others. It is most effective to deal with debilitating issues as early in life as possible, and hence a great deal of attention is given to early child development and education, and to support for the families and communities in which young children grow up. But it is also important, and beneficial for society, to assist people with problematic issues however severe these issues may be and at whatever stage of life they occur. Take the case of Max, for example.

Max

Max is in his mid-forties. The first 35 years of his life were a disaster. He was raised by a mother who drank heavily and had a string of relationships with men who abused her, and often abused Max and his brother. Home was always chaotic and the family lived on junk food. They moved from place to place and the boys went from school to school. Max was absent from school much of the time and when present was usually in trouble. Naturally he learnt little. When he was 15 he had a fight with his mother’s then boyfriend, who demanded that he be kicked out. His mother obliged and he was on the street. Max slept rough or stayed with people he knew, and survived by shoplifting, begging, and selling drugs, before graduating to burglaries and stealing cars. He drank, smoked dope and took speed. His temper was out of control and he was often in fights. As a result of all this he spent most of the next 15 years in custody – first in juvenile detention and then in prison – merely picking up the life he had left off each time he was released. He had brief relationships with women, getting drunk and abusing them as he had seen his mother’s boyfriends do, and he fathered two children along the way.

By the age of thirty, though, Max was seriously overweight and had diabetes, liver problems, a back injury from a car accident while driving under the influence, and a brain affected by alcohol. For the next five years, when he wasn’t in hospital, he slept on the streets or in shelters for the homeless, drinking still (partly to numb his back-pain) and surviving on a disability pension.

• a regular doctor, a physiotherapist and gentle exercise classes (all arranged through Max’s health organisation)
• his participation in Alcoholics Anonymous
• his attendance at a centre run by a church agency for people like Max.

The centre was a drop-in facility with meals, social activities, outings, and various educational and self-development programs. For examples, in a ‘life skills’ course, Max learnt about such things as basic cooking, budgeting, stress and anger management, and personal presentation. Folk like Max who attended this centre helped out with a range of chores, such as setting up for meals, preparing and serving food and refreshments, clearing tables, washing dishes and cleaning up. They also helped to decide on activities and outings, and were assigned newcomers to look after.

• Page 110

Next >