30 Days, 30 Ways: Day 18
I saw the title of today’s task, What’s Your Special Need and immediately had the answer, my glasses. Then I clicked the link to find out what i needed to do to win the points on offer.
To me, my glasses are one of my special needs. Too many times when we talk about folks with special needs, we think of individuals with mobility issues or perhaps relying on oxygen on a daily basis, however we all have some sort of special needs…
1 Pt: List any items that may be a special need for you.
2 Pts: Now lets think about your neighbourhood… Are their individuals on your block that have a special need you could assist with during an emergency or disaster. How could you help?
Nooooooo!! The example mentioned my special need! My thunder had been stolen! Not having my glasses would make me more vulnerable; something I’m currently battling this having accidentally broken my glasses several weeks ago. Whilst I have contacts as a contingency, but I don’t always get on with them. So it’s made me realise that my vision prescription should also be one of the key documents included in my kit.
Some family and friends take regular prescription medication, which they would need to consider in their own emergency preparedness, However, perhaps one aspect that hasn’t been thought of are those people with specific dietary needs – gluten intolerance, allergies, or as dictated by certain religions. I wonder in an emergency whether it would be possible, or whether it’s even a consideration, not just providing food, but providing sufficient and diverse choice?
Looking to my neighbours – the only thing that I could think of in the context of this event would be that one of the families has a nanny. If she was unavailable it could prevent parents going to work. Family emergency plans should therefore consider contingency child care options.