Doing the Right Thing

Every now and then, God/the Universe sends someone into your life to help you make some changes. You may have to learn something. You may have to extend yourself outside your comfort zone on their behalf. You may have to gather up your courage and step forward to say "Something must be done!" And then you may have to look yourself in the mirror and realize that if something must be done, you're the one to do it.

I try to be grateful for the learning opportunities I am sent. I am grateful for this one. During the course of getting to know "Ed Martin", I have been very blessed. He is a brilliant man with a great deal of creativity and humor -- on a good day. But his good days are few and far between. His oppression by police in Canada has rendered him immobile for the most part.

On the rare occasions that Ed can forget the brutality with which he has been treated, he is a delightful person to be around. He is a good conversationalist, a knowledgeable computer expert, a trained scientist, and formerly a very productive individual. His potential to add to society was great -- until he came into contact with the justice system in Canada.

For Ed, there has been no justice. He has tried to get help over the past 20 years, but each effort ends in greater harm to him. He has effectively been isolated and marginalized. Even attempting to contact the authorities that could help him now could result in his death. The threat to his life is very real. Just mentioning his name in justice circles brings the police to his door to "remind" him that he needs to shut up or "You won't be breathing anymore".

This is not what should happen in Canada!

Recently, we have seen brutal actions by police publicized, and politicians outraged. Ed's situation also needs to be brought to the attention of those who can take action on his behalf. The usual channels have not worked and indeed have caused him more grief.

He is at the point now where he cannot do anything himself; he is that disabled and unable to even participate in trying to deal with the situation. He needs help.

So I'm harnessing the power of connections and social media to bring this issue to light. At least we can offer Ed some moral support and maybe come up with some creative ideas to help him get the justice he has been seeking, and so desperately needs.

It may be hard to do the right thing sometimes, but it needs to be done.