FAMILY A SOURCE OF PROTECTION, IDENTITY AND SECURITY

Family is the greatest support and protection for humanity -- particularly in a world where a tide of migration has involved an estimated 65 million displaced people. Governments are often the problem not the solution. 

It is the cohesion of  inter-generational families that can provide the only sense of stability in a dangerous world that seems ever so unstable and tenuous for the most vulnerable: Elders, children and particularly family members with disabilities. Governments will come and go. The family unit remains.

I mentioned families with elders, children and disabilities. I know

The embrace of a grandson

first-hand the critically important role family plays in the lives of children and those who live with disabilities. I have been seriously disabled with aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than half my lifetime. My greatest support has been my family spanning four generations. This family dynamic has been the single most important feature to me. While welcome and needed, government support in the form of health and home care, have played a secondary role. It is with the family unit that I have been protected, loved, encouraged and found my identity and sense of self-worth. This must not be discounted or overlooked. My family understands this: My daughter and her husband are in the throes of adopting a child from Haiti. 

The proper role of government is to support families -- not replace them.