My Journey To Life

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Ellie

My Journey To Life

Post by Ellie »

DAY 1: Using My Time More Effectively At Work

My job as a support worker can be a laid back one at times. Some of the clients in the industry like to go out into the community, walk in the park, walk to the shops, go for drive, go to church, go other for lunch, buy junk food, take away, and some clients may prefer to stay home and watch movies nonstop. I've had laid back shifts like this.

Some clients like the support worker to watch movies and TV with them. It is a different experience for them when they have the company. Clients may watch movie after movie for the whole shift. Some people may say "that's awesome! You're getting paid by the hour to watch movies". But.. It can be challenging.
I do not like staring at a screen for long hours watching something that doesn't assist/support me in my life. Staring at the screen can take me away from reality at times. Like I am slowly drifting out and just staring. I bring myself back by glancing around the room to bring me back and taking a breathe. It helps. The times I do watch movies is with sound off as it helps me strengthen the word observant and I pick up on what is happening by watching body language. The clients do like the company. But I'd prefer to do something worthwhile for my client and me. I can read a book which will help with my vocabulary, I can go off, do house work and paperwork. I don't have to sit there. What I do tend to do is sit there complaining about having to sit there and watch it. It's not the case and I can let clients know that there are things I need to do. I'm not glued to the chair or in shackles or chains. It's just about making the decision to do something worthwhile.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel obligated to watch movies with my client

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to believe that I have to watch movies with my client of they like my company

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to complain about watching movies with my clients

I forgive myself that I haven't accepted and allowed myself to use time more effectively at work

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to waste time watching movies nonstop

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to not see/realise/understand that I can read a book, for housework, paperwork or anything that is worthwhile for my client client and I.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to zone out when watching TV and movies

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to sit and complain about what is being shown on TV

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to look forward to the shift ending so I do not have to watch TV program movies

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to make the experience with my client one that is uncomfortable for me to the point where I cannot wait till the shift ends

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to not see/realise/understand that work can be enjoyable for all when one decides to make it that way.

I commit myself to use the time that I have at work to assist/support my clients and myself to the best of my ability

I commit myself to use the time I have at work to better myself and assist/support myself client.

I commit myself to read a book, do housework or anything assistive/supportive at work.
Ellie

Re: My Journey To Life

Post by Ellie »

DAY 2: Some Of The Frustrations Of My Job

In my line of work I've observed the types of foods that are being consumed by people with mental health issues and disabilities. It has made me very concerned about the health of some of Australia's most vulnerable people. I walk into homes, I open the fridge, I look in the pantry/food cupboards and I see various different types of foods. The main foods that take up the food pantry/food cupboard and the fridge trays are junk foods. The foods that are being consumed are what the clients enjoy. As a support worker we cannot deny them the right to eat the foods they want. We can at times use specific wording in the best interest of the client to choose the more healthier option. However, some clients like to go with the stuff that they like/enjoy. As I've stated above, it is the junkfood that they would prefer to go with. I've asked myself why this is. My answers were that not only do these individuals have a mental health problem and/or a disability, they're also uneducated and often unaware that it is not good for them. They want what they like/enjoy and/or addicted to.

The junk food they eat can contribute to their mental state/condition as well as their physical health. I've read the nutrition labels on these foods. They all have a large amounts sugar, carbs, etc. In some cases, individuals may only eat the junk foods and nothing else. It can be a little frustrating at times because you want them to eat, but you also want them to be a healthy individual. Sometimes the one thing a support worker may have to do is just accept that this is how it is and that's what the individual wants. But I see them as victims of a society that doesn't give a damn about some of them. If we look at it, we live in a world where the unhealthy products are flashing on a TV screens as advertisements that the majority of clients watch. They go to the supermarkets and the very stuff that stand out the most are the majority of the big name companies that are rarely in the best interests of all human lives. These are individuals who are likely to be more brainwashed because they are unlikely to have the support, the capacity to understand why it is not healthy for them because they may have intellectual disabilities, may not have the vocabulary, etc. It can be difficult for these individuals. That's why they become more vulnerable and are likely to be brainwashed into eating unhealthy foods. Other factor to this is the money that support workers have to spend is based on the amount of money that is provided for groceries. This all depends on what was spent with the last support worker, what the client will and what will last until their next payment. Most support worker's will want to go for the cheaper versions to save the client grocery because if they buy the good quality foods it's likely that the client will have less and run out of money quicker. In saying all there is lots we can do to assist/support these individuals to consume healthier foods so that they're not being impacted by foods that are not beneficial for their bodies or their minds. I've come up with different types of solutions in a few parts/areas of the work that I've noticed need changing and could be better to assist/support the clients to live fun and fulfilling lives. For example, substitution. We can have store that creates healthier foods that taste good, in packets that will stand out to the clients, resemble junkfoods but are lots healthier and charge them for a lot less due to their circumstances. That way they can eat healthier foods, enjoy the taste and be charged less. It is not to segregate, it is to assist/support depending on circumstances. The problem here is I do not have the money to invest in that. There is a lot of changes that can be made in my life of work to assist/support me as a support worker and the client. A support worker's job is not easy because of the contributing factors that prevent the clients from having fulfilling lives. Sometimes all that built up frustration that the client experiences due to their circumstances like any other person.. Lack of money, can't always afford fun things, and being restricted. So, this manifests in violence, abuse, etc. towards staff. But, nothing really gets done because lack of money, consideration, and regard for people who need extra assistance/support to live fulfilling lives.

Taking this to the point of the day. My reactions to all of this can be sometimes a deep suppression, annoyance and a bit of frustration. A reaction to not having funds to be able to create solutions to a lot of the problems that I see as a support worker. A reaction of feeling powerless to assist/support the individual to live a fulfilling and healthy life no matter their condition. A reaction of guilt for a I cannot stop them from eating unhealthy foods. A reaction of feeling sorry for my clients because I know they're victims of a world that doesn't show that it cares. We can make the lives of many individuals very fun, healthy and enjoyable -- we just need to pull our heads together.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed feel powerless in my job as a support worker to assist/support my clients to lead fulfilling lives.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel frustrated in my job as a support worker knowing about how the system works/operates and how much the way it works/operate effects my clients.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel powerless to make a difference in the lives of people who are being taken advantage of in this system.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel powerless to have fun, healthy and enjoyable days with my clients.

I forgive myself that I haven't accepted and allowed myself to see/realise/understand that I may not be able to enforce change, but I can create more options for my clients to choose from by/through changing who I am when I am with them even if it doesn't work.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel like a failure in my job as a support worker.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel sorry for my clients who are victims of a system that doesn't show that they care.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel a deep suppressed and depressed about not having the funds to create solutions for my clients and other support workers.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel horrible about how it effects other support workers when having to deal with all the same problems in this industry as a result of no change happening.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel sorry for my clients because they may not have the capacity to understand

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel sorry for my client when I watch them eat foods that I know is not good for their body, my body, my mind, their mind or anyone else's body or mind.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel sorry for the little amount of money that these individuals have in their lives to be able to provide for themselves a fun fulfilling life.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel sorry for support workers that are unable to fund tools to bring on that day to make life fun and enjoyable for the client and them.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to believe that it is impossible to make changes in the lives of people with mental health problems and disabilities.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to believe that it is impossible to make changes in the lives of my colleagues.

When and as I see myself feeling sorry for my client eating unhealthy foods - I stop and I breathe - I realise that it is my clients choice until there is another solution or option available for them, in the meantime, I can assist/support by using my words, and actions to see if they make a difference on the clients thought process when wanting/desiring the unhealthy foods at the shops.

When and as I see myself feeling powerless in my job as a support worker to help my clients live fun fulfilling lives - I stop and I breathe - I realise that I can assist/support my clients to the best of my abilities on the day that I work with them by planning, and buying some tools to for me to keep and then to use on the day that I work with them.
Ellie

Re: My Journey To Life

Post by Ellie »

DAY 3: Holding Back From Taking Opportunities

Some weeks ago I met a woman that works for Government Disability Services. She spoke about how booming the industry is because of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that is funded by government. She went on to tell me how it is just a tick and flick for government, but they do look for experienced workers. This woman said she would prep me for the next intake for support workers. I haven't contacted her yet, but I am meaning to do so as January is nearing and I'd like to be prepared before the interview.

I wasn't going to take the opportunity as I didn't see myself as being able to live to the expectations that working for government has. I've spoken to a friend that works for Government too and she said that everything needs to be and is done by the book. By the sounds of it... it will be more pressure and strictness in goverment. But in the community care industry it is best to be by the book.

The company I work for at moment is a company built on affairs, lies, unfair treatment with pays, non-caring, backstabbing and bullying. It a dysfunctional company. I make sure I stay clear of the the dysfunction as best I can. So, the difference in being in goverment will be that it is stable, goes by the book, is strict for good reasons and no doubt will have less challenging clients. The personal gain will be I can level up in goverment, once I have a government job I can get a job anywhere, contract after contract, the superannuation is good and it will help me build character. I can further in goverment. It is fear too. Fear that I won't be what they're looking for. I left it a little too late to do my extra specialisations that this industry looks for. It's not a mandatory requirement to have them, but it does go down well for the interviewer. Another reason was that I don't have my car. But I went looking at cars today and there's a possibility that I will have a cool car in a couple of days. I don't really have any excuses not to take an opportunity like this one. It's just about preparation and making sure I am working on what I'll need to make it so that they take me on as a worker.

If there is an opportunity in our lives then we shouldn't let self doubts get in the way of them. If an opportunity presents itself take it. Go with it, prepare for it and do your best.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to have left it till last month to shift into gear and start preparing myself for the goverment opportunity

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to fear not being what goverment expectations of me

I forgive myself that I have not accepted and allowed myself to see/realise/understand that all companies may work slightly different.

I forgive myself that I haven't accepted and allowed myself to see/realise/understand that I can learn how government does things if I get the job

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to fear not being accepted because I don't have my specialisations till the end of January.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to have let till last minute to go see about cars

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to fear how the interview process with government will be like

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to doubt my learning capabilities

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to look at the goverment as being 'too high up' for me.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to judge me as being too inferior to work in goverment

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to believe I haven't got what it takes to work in government

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to believe that I wouldn't be able to handle the pressure or strictness of goverment.


I forgive myself that I haven't accepted and allowed myself to see/realise/understand that being in a more stable company will be beneficial because this industry is one that need stability.

When and as I see myself doubting my capabilities - I stop and I breathe - I realise that I can learn new ways of working in any sort of company by adapting myself to it as well as growing, expanding and learning more about me.

I commit myself to prepare for the goverment interview in January
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