Lessons Learned
This past year has been a trying, yet rewarding one in which I feel I have grown the most thus far in my twenty-six years. In many ways, I am the same person I was before; however, I have changed quite a bit. Sometimes I find this change frightening for whatever reason, but for the most part I find it rewarding and challenging. A big part of my thinking in this regard has to do with the career I began back in November of 2006 as a social worker.
First, there are several reasons for why I chose to pursue the studies of Psychology and Social Work as I did. I had always desired to have a greater understanding of the nature that is human and I always wanted to be able to understand myself in greater detail. Further, there was that much needed desire to be able to effectively and efficiently assist others through the tough times in their lives. As an additive, it is my belief that one who denies that one reason for going into one of these fields is for personal enhancement is either lying or doing himself or herself a sheer injustice as a professional. Whatever the case, today I find myself in an aspect of the Social Work profession that I never quite thought I’d stay in as long as I have – medical social work. I admit, I was very stressed out at first and I hated it. However, I have grown to love it.
A wise man named John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Isn’t this so true? In my line of work, I see this sort of thing everyday – everyday people experiencing a significant change of plan: The youthful man that comes to the United States to earn more money to better support his wife and children – only to end up being hurt on the job, a newly diagnosed tetraplegic (the new term for “quadriplegic”).
Imagine the sudden realization that you are not going to be able to move your body for the rest of your life. Your existence now depends upon those around you. Who will be there for you? What family members, friends, or nurses aides will now be bathing and shaving you, seeing your naked body? Who will stand beside you, and who might forget about you or even neglect you? Will someone be there for you? Would you yourself be willing to give up everything in order to care for someone you love? These are difficult questions to ponder. In my work, I have seen the dirty truth come out in these questions. But, I have also seen the gift of love at it's best.
It is the hundreds of persons and families like these that I have worked with and counseled over this past year that continue to help me to grow both personally and professionally. They have been constant reminders to me over the year of the most valuable, and often taken for granted, gifts in life: family and friends; health and mobility; cognition; and education - just to name a few.
In working with the indigent population that I do, I have also grown a profound respect for my profession’s value of social justice. There are those members of society, feeling fortunate, who are quick to place judgement. We, as humans, all judge at times. But certain persons, some in power, thoughtlessly and quickly throw out words like, "trailer trash." They are quick to say, "stupid faggot." Quick to declare someone a "worthless human being."
But then, I have learned, there are those whom are called, perhaps by a higher power, to stand up for those whom society oppresses based on characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, etc. I have learned an even greater lesson that one must be vigilant and ready to combat snide remarks and negative stereotypes, when able to do so, even if they come from the mouths of our coworkers, politicians, and/or from those for whom we love. It is true that oppression really does breed oppression.
For all I have learned thus far in this journey, I am grateful.
First, there are several reasons for why I chose to pursue the studies of Psychology and Social Work as I did. I had always desired to have a greater understanding of the nature that is human and I always wanted to be able to understand myself in greater detail. Further, there was that much needed desire to be able to effectively and efficiently assist others through the tough times in their lives. As an additive, it is my belief that one who denies that one reason for going into one of these fields is for personal enhancement is either lying or doing himself or herself a sheer injustice as a professional. Whatever the case, today I find myself in an aspect of the Social Work profession that I never quite thought I’d stay in as long as I have – medical social work. I admit, I was very stressed out at first and I hated it. However, I have grown to love it.
A wise man named John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Isn’t this so true? In my line of work, I see this sort of thing everyday – everyday people experiencing a significant change of plan: The youthful man that comes to the United States to earn more money to better support his wife and children – only to end up being hurt on the job, a newly diagnosed tetraplegic (the new term for “quadriplegic”).
Imagine the sudden realization that you are not going to be able to move your body for the rest of your life. Your existence now depends upon those around you. Who will be there for you? What family members, friends, or nurses aides will now be bathing and shaving you, seeing your naked body? Who will stand beside you, and who might forget about you or even neglect you? Will someone be there for you? Would you yourself be willing to give up everything in order to care for someone you love? These are difficult questions to ponder. In my work, I have seen the dirty truth come out in these questions. But, I have also seen the gift of love at it's best.
It is the hundreds of persons and families like these that I have worked with and counseled over this past year that continue to help me to grow both personally and professionally. They have been constant reminders to me over the year of the most valuable, and often taken for granted, gifts in life: family and friends; health and mobility; cognition; and education - just to name a few.
In working with the indigent population that I do, I have also grown a profound respect for my profession’s value of social justice. There are those members of society, feeling fortunate, who are quick to place judgement. We, as humans, all judge at times. But certain persons, some in power, thoughtlessly and quickly throw out words like, "trailer trash." They are quick to say, "stupid faggot." Quick to declare someone a "worthless human being."
But then, I have learned, there are those whom are called, perhaps by a higher power, to stand up for those whom society oppresses based on characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, etc. I have learned an even greater lesson that one must be vigilant and ready to combat snide remarks and negative stereotypes, when able to do so, even if they come from the mouths of our coworkers, politicians, and/or from those for whom we love. It is true that oppression really does breed oppression.
For all I have learned thus far in this journey, I am grateful.
posted by Holly at 4:49 PM
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