To whom it may concern,
How long will our young suffer for the lack of facilities and connections to programs in force already that sometimes lets them fall through the cracks of such a system as ours. There is no blame or fault only young people losing there innocent lives to jail rather than getting the help needed to overcome these miseries that sourround them every day.
Jail is for hardened criminals not for young adults or children that need that valuable care that can only come from the facilities we have built and learned to depend on. When that system fails to manage the help our young need it leaves them to the wolves at prey. We all know that a jail is no place to get a new lease on life. Only our state mental health system can provide that help.
I personally have been through the ringer more than once and fortunately had help beside me and around me to avoid a bad move ending up in jail. I am a better man for that help I was given when in need. I would not have survived prison unless I became a criminal myself to survive. Therefore I am ultimately grateful to those people and systems that provided the help I needed. Can't we do the same for Christopher. For what I do know of him through his wonderful Mother he is one worth saving from the chopping block. Our prisons were never meant to house our innocent youngsters. Help put our youth in a place that encouages growth. The rest is up to Christopher as the same for other youngsters that get this same break from a life of misery. Mental Health is the issue here, not criminal issues.
I pledge my support to help this young man in finding the right place for him to grow into a productive adult knowing that someone cared, including the system we worked so hard to create. Thank you for your attention.
Author notes
Donald Patterson
Montana
A contest entry
- I Need Help....Please read by mysticstorm.
3700 points, ended February 15, 2008, 24 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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Don,
I can not thank you enough for your love and support...your letter is well written and I hope by God's Grace the judge will do right by him...thanks to all of you...
you heart is god and I will always remember you as a true freind with compassionate soul.
Love and Blessings, my friend,
Kim -
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Thank you Kimmy! Your words touch me in my soul and lift my spirit also! It is my honor and pleasure to help as much as I can my friend!
Don
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You are so right.
This should be sent to every state so that those that make the laws could read. It takes dealing with one kid at a time and having people willing to work with that child in order to understand the person that is there. I work with an autustic girl, who is not violent but I know full well the efforts it takes for these children. She will always be a child but she is also an adult.
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Your comment holds my heart! I have a 16 year old Autistic son Jeremiah. He is the wisdom behind my writing. I know your words well. A joy to work with and watch him grow. One child at a time somehow must be the goal of all education and home life for these children. Some have neither. A terrible failure of state and parenting both. Thank you for the shared message. I am so happy to read it, Don
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A powerful letter of support for our sisters fight for the justice of helping her young one...I am sure that mysticstorm(sis)will love the message you have placed in these wonderful lines on the behalf of her son...
Blessings
~Cheryl~
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Thank you for the wonderful comment and compliments on this write Cheryl Ann. Am happy you liked it. I appreciate the inspiration. Don
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Oh My!!
This is Precious my Friend and Powerful in which if I were the judge...would consider Your request
You have certainly made a point to be considered and I commend You for bringing forth Your words
Magnificent!!
Thank You for sharing Your Heart also Voice~
Many blessings to You in the contest Sweet Soul
Best wishes too
and much love~ Desire~*~
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Thank you my dear friend for the support and the compliments on this very important issue. The young is all we have to run with the ball when we drop it. We need to evaluate them and pursue excellence in them. Thanks again, Don
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Here we are with dedication and standing up with such dignity and strength of character once again Don...
All I can do is...
Applaud!
Much Love & Many Blessings~
~Joy
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Thank you my dear friend for this ultimate compliment on my write! The applaud is appreciated and honored! Your pal, Don
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Sad as it is Don the reality is world wide...and the velvet glove with the label of mental or adult but not yet elderly where to put these people who need care not pity and jail or a nursing home is not the answer....I do hope all these letters will make a difference You have put your heart into this and i can only but support your words and pray somewhere somehow a solution can be reached suitable for all parties....let the justice have common sense as well.
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I agree mook with you on this case of the justice making the decision through common sense. Thank you for the wonderful comment and compliments on my write! Don
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Very good
Not to down play the importance of letters such as this one but what "Mysticstorm" needs for her son are letters that gives to her and her sons' character
and closer to the sons' demeanor so the judge will see fit to give a young man another chance. The judicial system will not change by these letters but the opion of a judge may be swayed for the better by letters of support. I still like the idea thou. -
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I agree Ken! Thank you for the comment and the compliment, Don
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Bravo,
Thanks for sharing, very well expressed.
I believe this makes for a great case.
Peace, Timothy
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Thank you Timothy! I appreciate the inspiration and compliments on my write! Don
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