When good people struggle....

I would argue that it is easy to be intellectual, community focused and values driven when the people we support behave well. The real test of our work and OUR values come when people struggle, when they behave in ways that embarrass or frighten us...or those around them. During my tenure in this field I have spent most of my time with people who experience significant challenges generally labeled "behavioral". This past three years I have been able to work with folks who generally require little to no behavior management; no big interventions, no written plans to produce acceptable or safe living and with few exceptions are happy participants in almost all areas of daily life.

However recently a few folks have struggled mightily to find peace and happiness in their worlds. Medications have been adjusted, hospital stays have proven to be less than perfect, and daily life is filled with ups, downs, anger and fear. One woman has moved so far away from her stable and happy self that people are baffled as to how best to support her. Both women deserve better and have the capacity for better living. This is when our job becomes most important...how we reach out into their darkness and give support and encouragement will never matter more. Supporting success and peaceful living rather than fear and drama is critical and so very hard. These are the days that we prove our value in this business. I believe accepting and meeting both of these ladies where they are is step one...moving beside them to step two is the harder thing to do. I fully believe we can do this. We must.