It's been an informative and emotional couple of days. It's going to take some time to process everything. It surprised me that I had an easy time to decide which particular sessions to attend. Its often harder for me to chose a meal on a menu!
I will say I got tired of hearing the word "client". Somehow it seems to dehumanize the people professional therapists and the like work with. It's not a word that appears in the peer support arena. There were a couple sessions surrounding music therapy but I chose to go elsewhere. One of the topics was about how to build resiliency in the people (clients) we work with. Another was about using creative processes, a filmmaker was the speaker, to help restore a voice to those who have experienced trauma.
Throughout the various groups I took visual notes in a small sketchpad. The art aspect helps ground me and often a simple graphic image is able to represent complex ideas. For example two bolts of lightning, one white, one black represented good and negative energy. There were a couple of compliments and even a job offer to come and do the note taking at a board meeting. It was in Toronto so I graciously declined. Or maybe my resounding "No" held a touch of panic. Who me? Do that? In front of people? Uh-uh. No way.
The filmmaker who was part of the second to last session I attended ended up sitting at the table with us during lunch. He was a lovely man about my own age. He admitted he was good at what he does but added that he wasn't boasting, it was a difficult thing for him to say; that he struggled to embrace his talent and acknowledge it. Tears came to his eyes as he shared this. I met in him a kindred spirit. His confession helped me realise I am not alone in that very same struggle.
There was another dynamic to this conversation for me as well. There's something about a man who cries that brings healing to my soul. It helps me fear them a little less.
There was miracle of answered prayer. The last thing the conference organisers did was hold a draw. I got thinking how much I'd love to win something. I could hear the child in me, hand raised shouting, "Pick me! Pick me!" However, the delightful woman sitting next to me had taken every session I had. Sometimes we sat together, other times not. I'd been grateful to have a familiar face in all the groups even though we'd just met. I silently asked the Lord to let her win instead of me. Her name was the next one picked and she walked out with a lovely basket of flowers. Praise God!
"To each of us grace was given, according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." Eph 4:7-8
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The Robes
"Coming up behind Jesus, she (the woman who had bled for 12 years) touched the fringe of His robe." Luke 9:44 And she was heal...
I remember in a clinic I worked in they changed all references of "Patient" to "Client". It was part of changing the focus from us being the directors of care, the responsible ones - to that of a partnership and the choice of the person coming to us. I certainly understand the philosophy behind it - but somehow it leaves me cold, like you. There has to be another word besides one that makes you feel you are in a law office. Although "Patient" may sound like we are sick - it also sounds like we will receive care. Razor's edge really. Being on the receiving end of treatment now - I like to know they are the experts.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your conference was affirming.
God bless your journey.
DeleteI work in an office where we handle money for "represented adults" and we call them our clients. I agree there should be another word but I don't know what it is. One agency we dealt with talked about their "consumers" but that feels stilted to me.
ReplyDeleteIf you do come up with a better word, please pass it on - I am sure many of us would appreciate it.
Thanks for your comments. Why not identify those we serve for what they are: People, persons, men and/or women, the children?
ReplyDelete