Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Remember babies have some basic necessities
Remember babies have some basic necessities
By By ROBERTA M. HELMING
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Jan 06, 2011 @ 12:00 AM
I was surprised to learn that there are single mothers who cannot provide a simple basic need for their babies — diapers.
The problem came to light last June when Huggies launched a campaign called “Every Little Bottom” to draw attention to this need. It came about as a result of a thorough study by the company that included interviews with 2,500 women nationwide and in Canada.
Ninety-nine percent of the women participating in the study saw diapers as a basic need, but one in three said they couldn’t afford diapers without having to give up some other basic need.
A Nov. 28 story in the Norwich Bulletin reported on a group establishing the first diaper bank in northeastern Connecticut. In Putnam, the bank also will serve the communities of Thompson, Pomfret and Woodstock.
The Putnam facility opened this week, so there are no statistics available as to the actual need for this kind of service. However, a diaper bank in New Haven serves 4,000 clients — and the need is even greater, according to Joanne Goldblum who runs the New Haven facility, is a founder of the national Diaper Bank project and is a champion of the cause.
Huggies donated 2 million diapers to the North Haven facility. According to Goldblum, that met the need of clients for one month.
In order to qualify for free diapers, the mother must be qualified for state assistance or local social service agency services. Homeless families are eligible as well.
Real trouble
But the problem goes deeper. Having a baby without having the financial means to support the basic needs of raising a child is irresponsible. Readers posting comments on the Bulletin’s website seemed dismayed that women with babies cannot afford something as basic as diapers. I, too, am dismayed.
Granted, there are circumstances beyond someone’s control that can put people in difficult financial positions, especially in these current economic times, and no one would deny anyone a helping hand in troubled times. But let’s be honest, a fair share of those needing this kind of assistance are not new to the social service networks.
I’m not pushing marriage or abstinence, and certainly how others chose to live their lives is none of my business nor that of society’s — until society is forced to pick up the bill for those irresponsible choices.
Babies have basic needs — financial, physical and emotional — that must be met. Those are responsibilities that need to be met by the parents.
Roberta M. Helming is a freelance writer from Ledyard and regular contributor to the Norwich Bulletin. She can be reached at RMHelming@aol.com
Copyright 2011 Norwich Bulletin. Some rights reserved
By By ROBERTA M. HELMING
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Jan 06, 2011 @ 12:00 AM
I was surprised to learn that there are single mothers who cannot provide a simple basic need for their babies — diapers.
The problem came to light last June when Huggies launched a campaign called “Every Little Bottom” to draw attention to this need. It came about as a result of a thorough study by the company that included interviews with 2,500 women nationwide and in Canada.
Ninety-nine percent of the women participating in the study saw diapers as a basic need, but one in three said they couldn’t afford diapers without having to give up some other basic need.
A Nov. 28 story in the Norwich Bulletin reported on a group establishing the first diaper bank in northeastern Connecticut. In Putnam, the bank also will serve the communities of Thompson, Pomfret and Woodstock.
The Putnam facility opened this week, so there are no statistics available as to the actual need for this kind of service. However, a diaper bank in New Haven serves 4,000 clients — and the need is even greater, according to Joanne Goldblum who runs the New Haven facility, is a founder of the national Diaper Bank project and is a champion of the cause.
Huggies donated 2 million diapers to the North Haven facility. According to Goldblum, that met the need of clients for one month.
In order to qualify for free diapers, the mother must be qualified for state assistance or local social service agency services. Homeless families are eligible as well.
Real trouble
But the problem goes deeper. Having a baby without having the financial means to support the basic needs of raising a child is irresponsible. Readers posting comments on the Bulletin’s website seemed dismayed that women with babies cannot afford something as basic as diapers. I, too, am dismayed.
Granted, there are circumstances beyond someone’s control that can put people in difficult financial positions, especially in these current economic times, and no one would deny anyone a helping hand in troubled times. But let’s be honest, a fair share of those needing this kind of assistance are not new to the social service networks.
I’m not pushing marriage or abstinence, and certainly how others chose to live their lives is none of my business nor that of society’s — until society is forced to pick up the bill for those irresponsible choices.
Babies have basic needs — financial, physical and emotional — that must be met. Those are responsibilities that need to be met by the parents.
Roberta M. Helming is a freelance writer from Ledyard and regular contributor to the Norwich Bulletin. She can be reached at RMHelming@aol.com
Copyright 2011 Norwich Bulletin. Some rights reserved
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Moving on is natural, but keep memories
Moving on is natural, but keep memories
By By ROBERTA M. HELMING
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Dec 17, 2010 @ 12:09 AM
Many in Eastern Connecticut are facing a difficult challenge that began last week with the loss of four young lives in an automobile accident in Griswold. This unimaginable loss is tough on the community, and beyond devastating for the families and friends of these young people.
Right now, the families are surrounded by love and care from the outpouring of community support. That will soon dissipate as we all begin the process of moving on. But for the families, there are years of grief still ahead — birthdays, anniversaries of special times and events, such as next year’s high school graduation that they won’t be attending.
Keeping the emotional support going by continuing to let those grieving know that their loss is still in the hearts and minds of the community — a simple reminder that their children aren’t forgotten — is important.
That is something families members will embrace as they, too, painfully attempt to move on with their lives.
It won’t be easy getting past the void created from such a quick tragedy. The unworn clothes, the empty beds, the empty birthdays and holidays filled with traditions that included these teens that will be no more.
If you knew these young people, take something that you remember them for and keep it alive in your heart and mind.
Those who feel compelled to do more might consider planting a tree or establishing a scholarship in their names, perhaps in an area that was a special interest to them.
Seek support
For their friends, finding comfort won’t be easy either. They need to talk and express how they feel. I hope they seek out a school counselor, clergyman or another friend. There is no shame expressing the hurt. That is part of life, and it enables us to participate in activities organized in their memory. That, too, is part of the healing process.
I’ve searched my mind and heart to understand the deaths of the four teens in Griswold. It truly doesn’t make sense to have them taken from us far too soon. I send my thoughts, heartfelt sympathy and prayers to all affected by this terrible tragedy.
Dillon Clifford, Sativa Cornell, Steven Szklarz and John Clapper touched hearts. Their presence on Earth had meaning. Grieve their loss for a time, but then celebrate their lives through living yours.
That isn’t forgetting, but rather remembering how to live without them in person but forever in the heart — a place where they will live on.
Roberta M. Helming is a freelance writer from Ledyard and regular contributor to the Norwich Bulletin. She can be reached at RMHelming@aol.com
Copyright 2010 Norwich Bulletin. Some rights reserved
By By ROBERTA M. HELMING
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Dec 17, 2010 @ 12:09 AM
Many in Eastern Connecticut are facing a difficult challenge that began last week with the loss of four young lives in an automobile accident in Griswold. This unimaginable loss is tough on the community, and beyond devastating for the families and friends of these young people.
Right now, the families are surrounded by love and care from the outpouring of community support. That will soon dissipate as we all begin the process of moving on. But for the families, there are years of grief still ahead — birthdays, anniversaries of special times and events, such as next year’s high school graduation that they won’t be attending.
Keeping the emotional support going by continuing to let those grieving know that their loss is still in the hearts and minds of the community — a simple reminder that their children aren’t forgotten — is important.
That is something families members will embrace as they, too, painfully attempt to move on with their lives.
It won’t be easy getting past the void created from such a quick tragedy. The unworn clothes, the empty beds, the empty birthdays and holidays filled with traditions that included these teens that will be no more.
If you knew these young people, take something that you remember them for and keep it alive in your heart and mind.
Those who feel compelled to do more might consider planting a tree or establishing a scholarship in their names, perhaps in an area that was a special interest to them.
Seek support
For their friends, finding comfort won’t be easy either. They need to talk and express how they feel. I hope they seek out a school counselor, clergyman or another friend. There is no shame expressing the hurt. That is part of life, and it enables us to participate in activities organized in their memory. That, too, is part of the healing process.
I’ve searched my mind and heart to understand the deaths of the four teens in Griswold. It truly doesn’t make sense to have them taken from us far too soon. I send my thoughts, heartfelt sympathy and prayers to all affected by this terrible tragedy.
Dillon Clifford, Sativa Cornell, Steven Szklarz and John Clapper touched hearts. Their presence on Earth had meaning. Grieve their loss for a time, but then celebrate their lives through living yours.
That isn’t forgetting, but rather remembering how to live without them in person but forever in the heart — a place where they will live on.
Roberta M. Helming is a freelance writer from Ledyard and regular contributor to the Norwich Bulletin. She can be reached at RMHelming@aol.com
Copyright 2010 Norwich Bulletin. Some rights reserved
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