Lessons from those who've lived it: How to navigate a crisis

I can’t see another message about handwashing or the shortage of toilet paper.

During this time of uncertainty, my head is spinning and my chest is pounding.

My inbox is full of COVID-19 announcements. It’s the topic at the dinner table. I’m distracted at work and I have carried an unspoken weight the last couple of days.

I have gone from full denial to spending hours reading about the global health issue. I’ve laughed it off and I’ve cried about it. What a damn mess. Earlier today I told myself I was going to take a break and not think about the Coronavirus. I was going to live in the moment for a few hours.

However, here I am writing about it.

One thing I’ve noticed is that my friends in poverty have been helpful. In an effort to gain some peace and reduce my own anxiety, I’ve talked to people in my life. (I’m an external processor and die-hard extrovert). My parents, my spouse, my children, my coworkers, and the list goes on. Even the mail carrier and I had a brief conversation.

All these people, all these conversations, and I have found that those in my life who have the least have been the most helpful. Yep, my friends in poverty. Even though these are the folks that are the most vulnerable because of limited resources, they are the ones in my corner offering comfort and support. What is this about? This makes no sense. These are the folks who need my help, right?

I’ve discovered in the last 48 hours that I need their help too, and this is why:

People in poverty are survivors
No toilet paper on the shelves? Figuring out how to make ends meet without basic needs is not a new challenge for them.

People in poverty are problem solvers
Job cuts? Government mandates? Navigating a broken system is their reality every day. Having people in power make decisions that impact their life — yep, they know what that’s like.

People in poverty are givers
School closings? Folks that have the least, often give the most. Bartering and using relationship capital is a way of living for them. Organizing efforts to help each other share childcare burdens is already happening.

People in poverty are tenacious
Illness attacking their families? They know about juggling the tension of making healthy choices while recognizing that faith is one of the most powerful armors. They move forward with a sense of confidence through a crisis.

People in poverty are decision-makers
Decide to report to work? Go out in public? Folks in poverty know what it’s like having to make difficult choices and ask the question “what’s the next right thing?”

I’ve wrestled with how to help those in poverty during this ambiguous time. How can we offer support? How can we promote community and programs that will make a difference?

Maybe we need to shift our thinking: How can we look to those with lived experience in poverty and receive from them? We need to give them a platform to lead. Seek their wisdom. Listen to their insights.

Yes, we have a serious global health issue on the table. Of course, we need knowledge and we need to look to experts and leaders for guidance. But are we overlooking an important change agent at the table?

A person who doesn’t have formal education or an appointed position, but has valuable contributions to bring to this crisis. An expert in making the best out of the worst. A leader who has lived with scarcity. A person who can empathize with the fear of the unknown.

As you continue to purchase toilet paper, absorb media, and make decisions to be safe, I hope you also make space to be proximate to your neighbors in poverty. They have something to give.

Heather Cunningham is Think Tank’s National Training Director. To learn more about Think Tank’s work, visit thinktank-inc.org.

Photo by Daniil Silentiv on Unsplash