Brother Fire

I have worked for Catholic Charities here on Long Island for a number of years -- developing housing for people at risk of homelessness and living with HIV/AIDS, as well as other disabilities including mental illness and substance abuse. I am proud of "my program" -- the S pecial Needs Housing Program, and I am proud of the good work that we do. I am especially proud of another program at Catholic Charities that I believe is truly an example of putting faith into action everyday. The Teaching Family Home Program is a community-based, structured residential treatment program for children and adolescents age five to 17. The program provides individualized treatment and care to children who suffer from serious emotional disturbances. Currently there are five homes in operation in Nassau and Suffolk counties (Long Island, NY), and more are in development. Typically, there are four children and/or adolescents living with a specially trained married couple (teaching parents) and th...

Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head Nurse and Director became aware of Edna's heroic act, she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she is now considered her to be mentally stable. When she went to tell Edna the news she said, "Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love. I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness." "The bad news is that Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead." Edna's response: "He didn't hang himse...