Damsel in Distress

We have a friend we refer to as "high maintenance". I don't mean she has expensive tastes but that she's someone who needs too much taking care of.

On a trip to a hotel she wasn't able to enter elevators or parking garages because she's claustrophobic. She took the stairs and waited in the room while the rest of us were left to deal with her luggage. She can't be left alone anywhere because she'll panic and huddle like a lost soul. This elderly woman has a helpless little girl quality that men love but that wears on the nerves of adult women.

This is a talented lady of my own age but heaven forbid she should ever find herself temporarily lost or she'd move in with anyone who rescued her. She is a true, modern day damsel in distress. "A" expects friends to wait on her and cater to her wishes. She praises us to others about how well we take care of her. What crap!

How does someone live for near 70 years and not learn how to take care of herself? There is no evidence from her background that this is the life she's been accustomed to but maybe that's the problem. The sad part is that she alienates her friends. We have enough to take care of just with ourselves and we're not about to adopt an old baby.

Many people struggle with handicaps but it doesn't prevent them from being strong and independant. Their self pride urges them to strive for independance.

I believe that "A" is representative of many females before the women's liberation movement of the 1960's. In those days we expected our husbands to work while we stayed home. We sat primly in the car while our male companion rushed around to open the door for us. We fainted when upset. Total crap!

The women's liberation movement was like a breath of fresh air in a stagnant society. For the first time legions of women began to realize that they were capable human beings. There had been many strong women throughout history but it took the likes of Germaine Greer and Gloria Steinem, to name only two, to drill the truth into our dulled brains. Males and females were equals...neither of higher status than the other.

"A" is stuck in the 50's. Too bad her pals are tough old broads who expect her to stand on her own two feet.