Somebody

Somebody

There are times I sit on the writing a post until I can do it justice. This is about both my absolute horror at disability service and about why I appreciate and need to be treated like a normal person. Or at least like I might be a working, contributing human being in society.

For want of a better name, I’m calling this person “Somebody”. Somebody was a Case Manager I once had. Somebody wasn’t a great Case Manager, but she/he was a reasonable person and I think she/he knew they could share with me their shitty work day, because I would emphasis with both them and the client.

Somebody had an appointment with another client the prior day. I imagine it was a lot to deal with as they were still processing. She/he had gone to see their client who lived in a group home.

They walked in expecting just their client and instead was greeted by the CEO of the company, the site manager and about four other people that prompted me to say ‘Got it’. Top heavy management, sure. Oh dear, this did not sound great, then Somebody paused, seriously debated if she/he should tell me. She/he shouldn’t have, but she/he did and I gave them the grown-up empathy and opportunity she/he needed and wouldn’t dare name or shame them or who they work for. That said, some stories have to be shared.

Somebody walked into this meeting unaware of why they were there. The day before Somebody’s client took a bite (I repeat, a BITE) out of a carer’s thigh. Ouch, sweet Jesus Nelly. I expressed my terror. Then my barrage of questions/statements.

“What was the carer doing?
Presumable the client didn’t like it?
Was the carer not reading the client correctly?
Was the client not being listened to or heard?
The carer must need more training?
What was the carers thigh doing anywhere near the clients mouth?
The staff need more training or better staff?”

Somebody looked at me surprised. I’m sure Somebody wished I had been there to quick fire my questions. I hope your advice, the result would only have been to move that staff member to ‘easier’ clients and to dumb them down with stronger meds. I refer to that as ‘bombing’ them out. Which is also why I don’t reach for pills anytime something hurts or I’m given a script.

Lastly, this shit is why I blog! If you got this far, please hit Like and share.