[humanser] [humane] best practices

Fri Oct 2 03:04:11 UTC 2015

Hello Jannice,

Your words are quite kind. Thank you. 

From,
Lisa Irving 

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Janice
Toothman via humanser
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 3:04 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List
Cc: Janice Toothman
Subject: Re: [humanser] [humane] best practices

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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