Categories: uncategorized
Date: 11 April 2008 17:26:31
Like most people I can find the people I work with irritating at times. However, today I have found out how great they can be. My boss had mentioned to me yesterday that should I need it the organisation has a debriefing service for use after serious incidents. I don't feel a great need to use this provision because today I got into the office at 8am so that I could write up the incident form, talk to the coroner's office etc. One by one the rest of the team arrived and everyone was there at about 8.30am and we just sat and talked. We talked about our feelings, the emotions of dealing with the death of a long-term client and the trauma of finding a dead body. We also laughed about the silly things the client had done, like the fact that he contacted the paramedics a couple of weeks ago so they could break into the closed off-licence for him. I was almost proud of him when I heard this story! Most of all though I felt their support, kindness and the affirmation they gave me for all the work I had done with this client. I truly work with an amazing team of experienced professionals.
Today I had to telephone the mother of the client who died and when she found out that I was one of the people who had found him she said to me “Oh darling. How awful for you. Are you OK?” Her compassion for me in the middle of her grief was extraordinary and she has invited me to the funeral, telling me that I am like one of the family! (and what a dysfunctional family to be 'adopted into!!) What potentially was a nightmare conversation was made easier by her humanity and honesty.
A few weeks ago one of my clients described me as being 'hard'. If only they knew the truth. I feel deeply for my clients and the things they have to go through. I have cried for them in private and worked my arse off for them on many different issues but most of all I was reminded today that it is always a privilege to work with these people. I expect them to disclose all sorts of information to me, to tell me their deepest fears and failings and yet time and time again they surprise me with their compassion and kindness.
What a job! A mixture of grief, hope, anxiety, frustration, fear and delight. Who could ask for more?