The Whole Person

I am a retired psychotherapist who, reluctantly, had to quit because of a life-​threatening (now chronic) health crisis, when in my late fifties; I am now in my late sixties. Having been in the healthcare profession for several decades &, also functioned for as many years as a volunteer in a number of diverse volunteer programs myself, working with people w/​HIV/​AIDS, Native-​American federal prisoners, persons with head injuries, etc. addiction & trauma education & other pro bono therapies; I also had learned, out of necessity, something about how to offer referral services & case management. I decided to ask for help in re-​organizing my cluttered home by ridding myself of 3 decades worth of boxed up materials, lots of office furniture, etc. I contacted the Whole Person to assist me in getting myself re-​organized — I still have hopes for doing, in a somewhat limited capacity, pro bono work w/​our local VA in establishing a reproducible group format for PTSD treatment. But, I digress… Calls were not returned @ pre-​arranged times. No offer was made for a home visit for a needs assessment. No one offered any referral services, as stated on their website. I complained to one of their supervising agencies thru the MO Div of Vocational Rehabilitation. I found a gentleman who was very compassionate & helpful. Although The Whole Person states they have been offering services to assist the elderly & disabled in continuing to live independently since 1878, the Director of Volunteer Services stated that they could no longer provide any home services because they had no insurance for their volunteers. The boxes, to which I refer, were not over 25 pounds in weight, btw. In four different phone conversations with their staff, no referrals (as, again, was promised on their website) were offered or given. I was just flabbergasted that after almost 40 years in existence, they had just found out that they could not offer any assistance, especially after not even coming to my home to see what was needed. It was not easy, after a life-​time of self-​reliance, asking 4 help. As a result of telling me of their legal woes & inability to even come to my home, I suggest they change the name of their organization to «The Partial Person.» I guess I also need to acknowledge that, «yes, Virginia,» I have become a grumpy ol’ man.