Something old, something new

I am a proud Metro user. When I started working for Forward Step, I was new to LA and in all my life I had come to believe that anyone can travel safe and fast with public transport. I was right...not that I haven't had my share of irritated drivers, lewd homeless passengers and delayed buses. As I waited for my bus today, I noticed that it was 11 minutes late. That meant I would miss my connecting bus because to go anywhere takes 2 buses. When the bus came, I flashed my pass at the driver to let him know he has messed with a regular. I sat in the bus and practiced breathing exercises. I figured that if our program recommended it to find perspective in conflicting situations, it must help. I looked around and noticed why I was the only one needing the exercise. At that non-peak hour, all the others in the bus were seniors. These people were old and feeble and looked quite well to do.

I felt bad seeing them get on and off the bus for two stops. I am sure that driving a car for such small distances would have been safer and easier for them than walking two blocks to get on a bus. The only conclusion I could draw is that they had no one who cared enough for them to drive them to where they needed to go. In all this hype about independent living, it may have become old fashioned to care. And agreed, most of the seniors would not give up their freedom. But it is just like caring for children who are uncared for. Both are at different ends of the bell-curve of life. But just because they are at the unfavorable end (without a future) - does that mean their needs are not good enough? When did we start optimizing human services?