I think this is all excellent advice, full of common-sense.

Kat

On Sun, 2004-09-12 at 15:37, Susan Moskowitz wrote:

> Kathy Jo,
>     I'm sorry that your parents and social worker are upset with you. You
> have the right to explore your options. Unfortunately, a history of hurting
> yourself and others SIGNIFICANTLY complicates your situation. I think there
> are a number of issues which you need to consider.
>     1. I know that you are in your 30's but do your parents retain any
> degree of legal or medical guardianship over you?  If you have a history of
> cognitive impairment or mental illness (such as repeated suicide attempts)
> your parents may have requested ongoing guardianship despite your age. They
> would have had to go to court to set this up. If they did then you ARE
> subject to their decisions.You need to fend out. Guardianship arrangements
> can be challenged, but there is no guarantee that you will win.
>     2. What have you done to combat the negative feelings which have
> prompted your efforts to hurt yourself or other people?  Have you been in
> therapy and/or on antidepressant medication?   Unless you have done
> something to help control
> these impulses, it will be very difficult to arrange the assistance you will
> need to live independently. REMEMBER THAT YOUR ASSISTANTS HAVE EVERY RIGHT
> TO EXPECT TO BE PHYSICALLY SAFE WHILE WORKING WITH YOU!
>
> 3.  How have YOU handled situations when your assistants have stolen family
> belongings, not showed up for work etc.? If you have left it up to your
> parents to deal with these situations , then you have been reinforcing their
> perception that you can't take care of yourself. You need to learn to take
> charge of unpleasant situations if you want to convince other people that
> you can handle difficulties and make your own decisions about significant
> issues.
> Susan