Happy Days!
"You weren’t supposed to see me like this," he mutters. "Like what?" I ask. "With tears in my eyes."
I’ve been working with this elderly gentleman for nearly two months now. I don’t find it at all easy as he has so many barriers around him, he can barely move himself and asking for help is extremely frustrating for him because his speech is practically incomprehensible. He doesn’t trust people much and most of the time he comes across very stern and unemotional. I can understand why – your body gives up on you, it must extremely difficult to feel sociable and happy.
Today one of his only 2 friends (whom he very rarely sees) was supposed to come visit around lunchtime but she did not arrive, his heart sinks. I walk in at 4 o’clock and for the first time I see a ‘real’ bit of him. Twenty minutes later his friend arrives! I mutter "You’re not supposed to see me like this" and soon leave.
Well, it’s been a great few days for me! I had the most awesome weekend hanging out with an arrogant twat from London ;-)
Yesterday I was at the ProjectScotland offices discussing a possible volunteer position for the next 3 months. I should be meeting with another person in the next week to discuss a few more details then decide if the position is what I want right now. It continues to amaze me that there are so many free social services out there, all providing wonderful opportunities to anyone and everyone. I am embarrassed to say, never before had I thought to make use of them for myself, they were always something I would suggest to my service-users. I am so glad that view has now changed.
Today I received a letter from a person who provides me with a lot of inspiration. Last year whilst working with the Council we organised for a German Arts Group to come perform ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Festival. Whilst attending their civic welcome given by the Deputy Lord Provost, I started chatting to Florian who was the deputy Director of the play, he’s about the same age as me. Somehow the conversation was about the Autobahn, one of the other actress’s even commented about how boring we were! Later Florian asked me for directions to a certain bus stop so I walked him to it, he was going to the Corn Exchange. The bus pulled up and I was about to head home when he asked why don’t I go with him. Half an hour later we were jumping around at The Zutons gig. Since then we’ve kept in contact with letters. I wrote that I shall be in Switzerland this September and he replied,
‘So, if you know when exactly you will be heading there, don’t forget to tell me, so that I can figure out a way to get there. By car, it should take about four hours, maybe a little longer by train, or, if I decide to ride my bike, three to four days could be a good approximate.’
Like I said before, I am so privileged to have some of the best friends in the world!
I’ve been working with this elderly gentleman for nearly two months now. I don’t find it at all easy as he has so many barriers around him, he can barely move himself and asking for help is extremely frustrating for him because his speech is practically incomprehensible. He doesn’t trust people much and most of the time he comes across very stern and unemotional. I can understand why – your body gives up on you, it must extremely difficult to feel sociable and happy.
Today one of his only 2 friends (whom he very rarely sees) was supposed to come visit around lunchtime but she did not arrive, his heart sinks. I walk in at 4 o’clock and for the first time I see a ‘real’ bit of him. Twenty minutes later his friend arrives! I mutter "You’re not supposed to see me like this" and soon leave.
Well, it’s been a great few days for me! I had the most awesome weekend hanging out with an arrogant twat from London ;-)
Yesterday I was at the ProjectScotland offices discussing a possible volunteer position for the next 3 months. I should be meeting with another person in the next week to discuss a few more details then decide if the position is what I want right now. It continues to amaze me that there are so many free social services out there, all providing wonderful opportunities to anyone and everyone. I am embarrassed to say, never before had I thought to make use of them for myself, they were always something I would suggest to my service-users. I am so glad that view has now changed.
Today I received a letter from a person who provides me with a lot of inspiration. Last year whilst working with the Council we organised for a German Arts Group to come perform ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Festival. Whilst attending their civic welcome given by the Deputy Lord Provost, I started chatting to Florian who was the deputy Director of the play, he’s about the same age as me. Somehow the conversation was about the Autobahn, one of the other actress’s even commented about how boring we were! Later Florian asked me for directions to a certain bus stop so I walked him to it, he was going to the Corn Exchange. The bus pulled up and I was about to head home when he asked why don’t I go with him. Half an hour later we were jumping around at The Zutons gig. Since then we’ve kept in contact with letters. I wrote that I shall be in Switzerland this September and he replied,
‘So, if you know when exactly you will be heading there, don’t forget to tell me, so that I can figure out a way to get there. By car, it should take about four hours, maybe a little longer by train, or, if I decide to ride my bike, three to four days could be a good approximate.’
Like I said before, I am so privileged to have some of the best friends in the world!
posted by Shirlz at 6:54 pm
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