this drawing was given to me by a client when i worked at heartland healthcare services in chicago, illinois, in 2003. twice a day, i led activity groups of 60 or more adults with mental disorders and disabilities. popular activities included bingo, cards, crafts, and who wants to be a millionaire?
i wish i could remember who drew this portrait of me, but i didn’t make a note on the back. ;( the only other drawing i saved from that experience was a page of blue cardstock covered in brown birds, by bertha, an elderly woman who spent her entire day making the same drawing over and over again.
it seems like a long time ago, and i haven’t done anything similar to that since. after six months, i left to take a retail job at a stationery store. the pressure became too much. many of the clients often had seizures, panic attacks, and were either highly activated and manipulative or depressed and catatonic. it took it’s toll. the opportunity to work at the store came along, and i took it. an angry customer? at least they weren’t going to throw their food at me.
i really loved the work, though. i relished such a creative position, especially with a generous and hands-off boss! the moments when i helped improve someone’s day by teaching them how to do something new (we tie dyed t-shirts, for example!) or enjoy a new game were precious. every day i felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride when i went home…and i looked forward to the next day.
i hope someday i can find work that makes me feel that way again.
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