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SPHIS is located on the edge of Louisville's hospital district. The district itself is in the heart of downtown; the SPHIS building is was a Catholic Church-run orphanage for many years. These factors combine to make for some interesting encounters every now and then.
About once a week, while walking between the garage and SPHIS and class, I'll get hit up for money. Because I know better, I answer either "Nope, don't carry cash" or "I'm a grad student, which means money is something I owe, not have," and don't even slow down. Look, I get it - circumstances can lead to bad situations. I could have been there myself. But the first time I reach into my change pocket or am dumb enough to go for my wallet, I'm a mark forever. Screw that.
We're across the street from the city's Metro Health Department, and there are regular inquiries about the needle exchange program, among other services. No big deal; it's a good program, and helps people.
Occasionally, we have to deal with someone with a mental illness of some kind. A few weeks ago, a guy came walking through our farmers market, screaming at every white person there that he was racist against us and wanted us out of his home country of Somalia. He got whisked away in a hurry. This week, a young woman asked us to store her wheelchair while she ... did something. Nope. Can't do that - liability and a bad precedent. While I'm curious as to how and why she has the wheelchair, I'm not that curious.
I'm not without compassion, but have to choose my battles. This is why I'm declaring an epidemiology concentration, not behavioral or health management. Well, that, and I really dig on epi.
About once a week, while walking between the garage and SPHIS and class, I'll get hit up for money. Because I know better, I answer either "Nope, don't carry cash" or "I'm a grad student, which means money is something I owe, not have," and don't even slow down. Look, I get it - circumstances can lead to bad situations. I could have been there myself. But the first time I reach into my change pocket or am dumb enough to go for my wallet, I'm a mark forever. Screw that.
We're across the street from the city's Metro Health Department, and there are regular inquiries about the needle exchange program, among other services. No big deal; it's a good program, and helps people.
Occasionally, we have to deal with someone with a mental illness of some kind. A few weeks ago, a guy came walking through our farmers market, screaming at every white person there that he was racist against us and wanted us out of his home country of Somalia. He got whisked away in a hurry. This week, a young woman asked us to store her wheelchair while she ... did something. Nope. Can't do that - liability and a bad precedent. While I'm curious as to how and why she has the wheelchair, I'm not that curious.
I'm not without compassion, but have to choose my battles. This is why I'm declaring an epidemiology concentration, not behavioral or health management. Well, that, and I really dig on epi.
