Returning the favor

Yes&Know By Aline Yamashita

Her voice faltered as she spoke. I was very glad she called but saddened that she had not called any of the numbers we shared with her.

A lovely person, an excellent caregiver and a good mom, she is now struggling with cancer in a world that is seemingly unkind. She put her health second while helping her husband.

Returning after receiving care off-island, she found that her husband had not taken care of a nail puncture. After months of putting the wound aside, his entire leg was amputated. His diabetes spurred the rotting of the flesh. At that point, she called. Why? She asked why they said they had to cut. She felt like everyone was angry, raising their voices and frustrated.

I listened. And, as best I could, I explained. She was alone in a world where the medical language threw her mind into a whirl. She was angry and scared. She was alone.

That was months ago. Yesterday, she called once again. She's now home with her husband, who is healing. She’s struggling. But she called.

When we needed help, she was here. She helped in ways she does not understand. In ways, I will always be grateful.

Now, it’s our turn. Helping her navigate the system to get the support and medical attention she needs.  Helping her understand when she needs a translator and what to tell them.

Now, it’s our turn. Helping systems understand that language—spoken and unspoken—is powerful in encouraging and discouraging ways.

Now, it’s our turn. Helping the government understand that accessibility and accommodations are not a matter of choice.

We must do better, whether through the school system, the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, the Department of Health and Social Services, Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam Regional Transit Authority, or the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center. These agencies receive federal funds that require them to implement statutes that uphold the rights and respect of individuals with special needs. Their needs should be recognized, considered and safeguarded.

Now, it’s our turn. To insist that performance-based budgeting focuses on outcomes that serve our community.  To commit to continuous training so employees understand best practices at every level and in every corner of government.

Now, it’s our turn. To insist that higher education infuse culturally competent components in each area so that our graduates are best prepared to work with our island community.

Some say we are a melting pot. I suggest we are not. We have not melted as one. We should not want to. Each culture, each segment, each group has characteristics to be proclaimed, to be upheld, to be advocated for and to be celebrated. Collectively, our community is a richly diverse tapestry. That is our strength. 

So when more people openly proclaim their diversity, I nod in gratitude. It takes courage to recognize that our differences are not liabilities, but gifts. They are what make us strong—and what anchor our community spirit.

We have a long way to go. And it’s not a lack of funding that prevents services from being focused and supportive of diversity. It’s because leadership has not made diversity a priority in goal areas, in training and in evaluation.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, all of this starts with early childhood education. Each baby and their family need support and services that help them be the best unit as they succeed through the child’s growing years.

Today, as norms have shifted, our programs and practices must shift, too. Self-esteem, self-confidence, higher-order thinking skills, coping skills, decision-making skills—all foundational to health and happiness are formed from the start.

While the world is rightfully concerned about global and national security and environmental issues, we also need to be deeply concerned about individual human beings and their growth and development, which makes all the difference.  A faltering base will collapse. And then, nothing will matter.

 Aline Yamashita is a mom, a teacher and former senator. She served in the 31st and 32nd Guam Legislatures. Send feedback to aline4families@gmail.com.

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