[humanser] [humane] best practices

Thu Oct 1 22:03:53 UTC 2015

Hi Lisa,

You are two years younger than I am and yet your reminiscences of your 
work as an Activities Director reminded me of my job in that position 
before I became Deaf-Blind.  Although I did not have the same challenges 
then as I do now, I saw some of the same problems in my job.  I had a 
family member ask me to assist his mother into the bathroom because the 
nursing staff were not coming.  Nursing aides were to bring the 
residents to activities but I found myself spending half my time 
gathering up people for an activity only to find that the mobile people 
I marshalled first had departed by the time I went and rounded up 
everyone else.  It was frustrating and rewarding.

When I lost my sight and most of my hearing while  in graduate school 
for my doctorate in psychology, I was already an older student in my 
40s.  I had received my Masters in Psychology.  It took my awhile to 
learn the blindness and independence skills and facility with adaptive 
technology to return to graduate work.

However, I decided to not return to a doctoral program because I did not 
want to have to contend with taking the GRE again.  I took it 5 times 
when I was sighted and hearing and my score dropped by 200 points!.  I 
think that was a bit extreme for a regression to the mean.  Besides I 
new that I wanted to be a psychotherapist.  This desire had not 
wavered.  But the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor would allow 
me to use my existing Masters Degree with additional coursework to 
fulfill Maryland's requirements.  This would help me get into the 
workforce the most expeditiously with the least financial cost.

I wish you all the best of Luck Lisa.  YOu have had a varied career that 
has given you tremendous experience and life knowledge.  It is something 
that we can use to our advantage when looking for a job.

On 10/1/2015 4:06 PM, Lisa Irving via humanser wrote:
> Hi Erica,
>
>
> I trained to work as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and ended up
> working as an Activities Director for a couple of facilities. I never worked
> as a TRS because I didn't have the protections of the ADA and I lost my
> national certification. Both Activities Director and TRS positions often
> require the ability to transport clients to community outings... In theory,
> I should have been able to swap tasks with other TRS and Activities staff;
> not the reality. There was always the issue of supervising frail elderly
> folks who sometimes wandered off. In theory, a nurses aid should have been
> present; not the reality. It pains and it also depresses me to reflect on
> that area of my life. My vocational calling was to work as a Nationally
> certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, NCTRS.  I'm 51 years-old and I
> am less willing to bang my head against the wall to prove that I am right
> and that I can do whatever I set my mind to doing. This doesn't mean that
> I've thrown in the towel. It means I pick and choose where I invest my
> talents, time and abilities. I'm more inclined to lean toward group
> education, facilitating discussion groups, warm line work and learning how
> to do case worker related tasks.
>
> Best,
> Lisa Irving
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ericka via
> humanser
> Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 11:22 AM
> To: Human Services Division Mailing List
> Cc: Ericka
> Subject: Re: [humanser] best practices
>
> Lisa, JD is right. One of the best jobs I ever had though part time, was
> activity assistant at a nursing home.
> There are lots of day programs out there for people with Alzheimer's and
> other dementias. I think you're probably well-qualified for something like
> that. It may not be well-paying but the experience alone would be worth it.
> I volunteered on and off for several years in these type of programs. Most
> of the time they were very welcoming to someone with a disability. I'm
> talking about the staff. The attendees usually are thrilled to have someone
> different like they are. They can relate to you more than someone
> able-bodied.
>
> Don't give up! I've never worked full-time and I mostly volunteered because
> my seizure meds have been screwed up on and off. I'm in the same place you
> are. I am looking to get back into the job force. I worked mostly with
> seniors but I'm looking for a different turn. I wish you the best of luck
> and keep us posted.
>
> Ericka Short
> "Friends are like flowers in the garden of life"
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Sep 27, 2015, at 10:30 PM, JD Townsend via humane <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>>
>> Hello Lisa,
>>
>> 30 years seems like two lifetimes, however your insight and skills
>> have grown with you.  Do not look at the time laps as a problem, as
>> the time you spent away from your field has added to your person.  I
>> have a good friend who received her degree at age 65, but her life
>> history gives her an advantage over the young ones out there.
>>
>> There are multiple ways to do the work you wish, as a psychotherapist
>> with a 2-year master's degree, as a case manager with no college
>> degree, or something in the middle.
>>
>> Activity directors at skilled nursing homes, assisted living
>> facilities, and in adult day care all need committed folks.  Larger
>> psychiatric hospitals often have gerontology units and need mental health
> techs.
>> Most colleges have "Women's Centers" that offer assistance in
>> figuaring out a good career focus.
>>
>> Be what you wish to be and do good work.
>>
>>
>>
>> JD
>> -----Original Message----- From: Lisa Irving via humanser
>> Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2015 6:55 PM
>> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Lisa Irving
>> Subject: [humanser] best practices
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I After a long absence from the workforce I am making efforts to
>> reinvent myself and return to my original vocational calling; serving
> older adults.
>> Eventually, I would like to begin working as a Recovery and Wellness
>> Educator for older adults living with mental illness/mental health
>> challenges.
>>
>>
>>
>> Although I have two undergraduate degrees and a couple of certificates
>> I consider myself a para professional. Due in part to my college
>> degrees being almost 30 years old. My certificate in gerontology is
>> about twenty years old. I have mixed feelings about pursuing higher
>> education. On the other hand, I have toyed with the idea of perhaps
>> earning a graduate degree in gerontology. Is anyone familiar with
>> National University's online Gerontology M. S. degree program? I've
>> also toyed around with the notion of getting different B. S. degree;
>> perhaps a degree in Human Services as a case worker. Meanwhile, I've
>> got bills to pay and need to work. I welcome hearing from you.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Warmly,
>>
>> Lisa Irving
>>
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>> JD Townsend LCSW
>> Helping the light dependent to see.
>> Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System
>>
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