We've been poised to lose the ability to care for our adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities because we pay the paraprofessionals who do this very important work so little that I could make more money frying chicken.
People like me who truly care for our most underserved populations (enough to continue working despite the pay, long hours, high physical and emotional demands, and awful benefits) are being forced into burnout because there's simply no one else.
We are overworked, underpaid, forgotten and often as a consequence of the work subject to emotional and physical abuse.
My boss is out due to a factored kneecap. Her boss is unreachable because the new food stamps restrictions have made her spend every hour trying to secure food for her family (see again; underpaid) a necessary priority.
We are struggling.
I hope these workers strike and their conditions are improved. I will stand in solidarity with them at every step. I often wish my sector has that luxury.