Efficient

Efficient

How to learn valuable life lessons and the value of efficiency? Learn to do things one-handed.

The End!

No really, I see a series coming up.

Back in the busy days of my teenage years, I started to have some weakness in my left arm, when doing evening cuppa T (tea) duty, family was impatient and didn’t appreciate me taking my time bringing one cup in at a time from the kitchen to the loungeroom (not far for Christ sake. Be patient).

So, I carried two cups and my left-hand shook, spilling some tea. The carpet (shagpile from the 70’s) was far from immaculate, I was growled at. Then I was instructed to dip my left shoulder a bit. It didn’t help.

But, the moral of the story is, from seventeen years of age I started being much more efficient one-handed. I didn’t stop using my left, I just favoured my right.

I could touch type, however years later in my early thirty’s if I was holding a phone to my left ear while chatting with a client, I could type much more efficiently right-handed, even with only three fingers (thumb, little finger and pointer finger). Still can, had years of practice.

 

Professionalism

Professionalism

I confess to say, I don’t always come across like a complete num-nut, which is the assumption that all people with brain injuries can’t think for themselves, can’t process or understand and definitely can’t communicate or participate in social or business or “whatever” family?

A few weeks ago, I rang an organisation that deals only with people with brain injuries. I’ve had some dealings with them in the past, however as their primary business/funding, is people with drug or alcohol ABI’s, my dealings have been limited.

As they also do some ‘housing,’ I’ve recently put in an application. I then attempted to follow it up. I rang, left a message, more than a week ago and when I rang, I came across so professionally on the phone, they thought I was a Case Manager. Ironic, much!

I was a little surprised and startled, I took my time answering her first question, “was I the client?” To which I did answer ‘Yes’, but because she didn’t hear me. She hit me with a barrage of questions. So, I went silent and she thought I’d hung up on her. Now I know I have a brain injury, but she works at an ABI company and all the people she would deal with on the phone could be in some way affected by an ABI.

So, at times, please one question at a friggin time.

To be continued.