Dignity Isn’t a Countdown: When “Safety” Starts Feeling Like Control

unless I choose it.”

Denise’s lips pressed tight. “That defeats the purpose.”

“No,” I said, looking her dead in the eye. “It preserves the purpose. Helping me in an emergency, not labeling me as an emergency.”

The room went quiet again.

Then Michael surprised me.

He reached over and slid the brochures back into Denise’s tote bag.

“Mom’s right,” he said. continue reading …