My Only Taboo
Normal taboos do not apply to me. I’ve publically written about STDs, masturbating, mental health concerns, and host of other things that are completely and utterly taboo in polite society. But there is one forbidden topic that I am actually super uncomfortable talking about: money. I hate money and I hate talking about it even more.
I just spent 20 minutes writing a post about money and sexology where I disclosed my salary to make a point, but I was too uncomfortable and deleted it. Maybe one day I can get over this taboo.
But suffice it to say I’m feeling bitter because I recently learned I make less than ¼ of what the average person with my level of education makes per year. And I was finally going to buy a house, finally have something tangible to show for working my finger to the bone, but instead Widener University fucked me (and not in the good way) and now I owe them most of the little nest egg I’d saved for a down payment.
However, something changed. Maybe. Kinda. Not sure how I’m feeling write now so if you’ll oblige me, I’m just going to type a bunch of mumbo jumbo to get my thoughts out and help me process things:
This morning I was on Dr. Patch Adams website. You may know him as he was the subject of the film Patch Adams starring Robin Williams. I LOVE this man. He runs a free health clinic out of his home that seeks to enrich all areas of wellness and integrates healing with performing arts, arts and crafts, agriculture, nature, education, recreation, and most importantly silliness and humor. He dresses up as a clown to make his patients smile. His patients live in his home, as does his staff. He treats mental illness without ever prescribing medication and once treated a schizophrenic by holding him for 10 hours while saying “I love you”. He’s never carried malpractice insurance and does not use third party reimbursement and has never seen an insurance form. He’s never charged anyone for anything and believes people shouldn’t be indebted because of medical care, but sees medicine as an opportunity to build community and friendship. He’s fought to have courses on compassion taught in medical school, and travels the world treating the sick and downtrodden with both his medical degree and laughter. At his home/clinic, there are no hierarchies- he and the other surgeons, the nurses, the kitchen staff and janitor make the same salary- $300 a week.
The real Patch Adams
I’m reading website near tears because this is a person walking the walk of true compassion. I want to walk the walk. I know I have it in me, but at the same time, I don’t want to make $300 a week. I think I offer a good service, and I think my time is valuable. But yet again, so much can be done in the world if money isn’t a worry.
So I’m completely in sexoholic mode again regarding turning Feminique into a non-profit. Patch Adams just inspires me.
I think I’m compassionate to a fault. The reason Sunday was so horrible for me was because I got into a huge fight with my mother. It started when she mocked my idealism about a compassionate world and it angered me that my own mother thinks my hippie dippie dreams are just that- dreams. I’m in therapy because I’m so compassionate about victims of sex crimes it’s literally making me crazy. I’m completely broke anyway so why not use all this compassion for good and go non-prof?
Anyone know where I can get some pro bono legal advice on how to set up this non-profit? I’d pay for it, but, you know, I don’t make much more than Patch Adams.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”
Contact sexologist Jill McDevitt:
