Lucy Diamond

Sam Dawson is a single father with limitations. He has the IQ of a seven year old and works at a local coffee shop. Everyone at the coffee shop was supportive and happy when he became a father. Sam was excited to name the child Lucy Diamond after a song title ‘Lucy in the sky like Diamonds’ by the Beatles. Unfortunately, the circumstances following were not what he had expected of the mother, a homeless woman, abandoned Sam and Lucy when she was discharged from the hospital. Now Sam is left to raise the child alone. As time goes forward Lucy and Sam have this wonderful father / daughter bond like no other. Sam has a support team who consists of the neighbor, Annie, and his friends who are also intellectually challenged. Everyone loves Lucy,

He wants nothing more than Lucy back home with him. The social workers only focus on his inability to raise Lucy because of his intellectual challenges and Sam’s history of growing up in an institution with no parental guidance. Now I ponder if this is the best route for this family and was it handled in the right manner. The social justice issues displayed in this movie are focused around child welfare and human rights of members with disabilities. The child, Lucy, is a normal developmental individual who has surpassed the intellectual level of her father, Sam. It becomes a concern for her well-being if Sam can raise her safely and appropriately. Sam is judged because of his disability of not being smart enough to raise a child. Other areas of concerns evolve around the financial responsibilities; housing, food, clothing and safety. Social justice is defined as the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. (NASW) The injustice displayed in the movie was Sam not given the chance of equal rights and opportunities, rather his daughter was removed on the bases her father could not raise a child because of his own

It was obvious Sam had a place of residence; he worked, therefore, had some form of income, Lucy was clothed, fed, and cared for when Sam was at work. I would have looked into various areas from the three levels of social work: the micro, mezzo, and macro to ensure Sam and Lucy received the help and guidance they needed. From the micro level it may have been simply programs for Sam: parenting programs, counseling to help during those uncertain times, and some form of guidance for daily living and raising a family. Lucy would also benefit from counseling to help her adjust to the situation: maybe how to handle situations regarding her father’s intellectual challenges, her need and desire to continue learning and achieving the highest education without feeling guilty or troubled, and teaching her daily life functions as she grows into adulthood. Some of the programs would also move into a mezzo level because they may be community based or support groups within the community. It would get tougher at a macro level because not everyone needs the same assistance, many times the situation and circumstances vary therefore advocating for families with child and parents with disabilities or challenges need to be looked into a little