A lack of respect for humanity

On one of my morning trips to Stratford I noticed a vehicle parked at a strange if not dangerous angle on State Highway 3.
I slowed down and saw a man who stood speaking to someone seated in a vehicle. I passed and another vehicle with two men had also slowed. I drove up beside them and after exchanging doubts about the situation; we parked our vehicles and walked back toward the two-parked cars.
The man who stood on the road was verbally aggressive toward us, but realised he was out-numbered.
Yes, it was road rage and we arrived at the right time to stop the situation from turning ugly.
The threatening man drove off and the visibly shaken man in the car was thankful.
It takes courage to intervene and it's also a basic human instinct to want to help.
But where was the help for baby Nia?
The heinous actions of those responsible for her shocking injuries are beyond comprehension. While the chatter is loud as people look for solutions, a parent warrant of fitness comes to mind.
Cars have to be warranted and registered. We need a passport to travel, and ID to prove we are old enough to buy alcohol.
Raising a child is rewarding, challenging and precious and a 24/7 commitment that runs parallel with your own emotional, physical, spiritual and creative needs.
It's a juggling act of compromise and patience underscored by love.
But for some, parenting is haphazard and a tragedy waiting to happen because they do not have the skills to understand their own needs let alone the needs of a child.
Were those responsible fit to be parents or caregivers? The answer is a resounding no. It takes another kind of courage to acknowledge you're not coping and ask for help, and it takes a community to intervene to save a defenceless child.