The recent disappearance of Brad Nagel, a vulnerable man with disabilities from Red Wing, MN, once again draws focus to the many who fall through societal cracks. Nagel vanished last week after walking away from his group home, with few resources available to locate an adult whose needs require special support and consideration. His case underscores how we must do better helping at-risk individuals.
A Vulnerable Adult Goes Missing
Last Thursday, 56-year-old Brad Nagel mysteriously disappeared after leaving his assisted living residence in Red Wing unsupervised. Nagel suffers from physical disabilities and mental health conditions that require full-time care and make him prone to wander.
Yet days into his disappearance, little headway has been made locating Nagel despite endangered persons alerts. His case reveals major gaps in protecting vulnerable adults.
Exposing Deficiencies in the System
Brad Nagel’s case tragically demonstrates how adults with high-risk factors can slip through cracks when they go missing. Because he is legally an adult, certain safeguards and procedures used for missing kids do not apply to Nagel's situation.
But that approach ignores the real-world dangers adults like Nagel face when support systems break down. We must reassess policies to account for unique risks the disabled and mentally ill encounter when they disappear.
Taking Proactive Protection Steps
On a societal level, adopting more safeguards for vulnerable individuals makes sense. But communities can also implement preemptive local measures to prevent future incidents and quickly respond when at-risk residents disappear.
Creating localized response protocols, monitoring high-risk adults, and sharing emergency contacts could better protect those who cannot necessarily protect themselves when they go missing. It is our collective duty.
Brad Nagel Deserves Better
Most importantly, we must view cases like Brad Nagel's with compassion over cover-thy-liability indifference. Just because he is an adult on paper does not mean Nagel should be denied resources that could save the life of someone's son, brother, and friend.
He deserves the same standard of care we would want shown towards our own loved ones in a vulnerable position. Our shared humanity demands nothing less.
Finding Hope Through Progress
The circumstances surrounding Brad Nagel's disappearance are heartbreaking. But from this pain, a path forward emerges where communities band together and advocate for change that prevents future tragedies through awareness and policy reforms.
Progress comes slowly, but it is possible. We owe it to those who need protection to take action ensuring fewer gaps exist going forward. Through commitment to reform, hope persists.
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