Sunday

Sundays are always a sleepy day for me, it is day four of a five day stretch at work and if I am lucky all will be smooth and I will not be sought out by 9 adolescents to help them feel better about one thing or another. Theses things don't mean much to me but to them it is a matter of life and death. As I am reminded from time to time it's not about me.

New Day, Same Insanity

Well here we are mid week and things are beginning to look and feel better. We all pulled together to ensure every one's safety. Those we serve have begun to deal with their "stuff" in a better manner mostly talking and not acting out. Staff have been able to get more help in the last few days. Management has put an extra staff on to help deal with the needs of those we serve as well as the needs of those of us who work here.
We are in the middle of so many changes and we are all trying to keep our heads above the water. I feel less overwhelmed yet I am still overwhelmed.

A visit to Hell

This past weekend was pure hell at work. Staff did all that was humanly possible to maintain the safety of those we serve and ourselves. After repeated calls to the police and medical staff, they were able to get the unit under control and since then each day things have gotten a bit better yet the stress has been overwhelming to all the staff involved. We have called out once or twice and put further stress on ourselves and co-workers.
What do you do when you feel like there is nothing left to do?
How can you help when you are overwhelmed and over stressed?
Where can you find relief from the trauma of your job?
We attempt to pull together and keep dignity and respect first in all of our dealing with those we serve and as importantly those we work with.
We were able to get past all the incidents without anyone getting hurt physically alas emotional pain is harder to recover from sometimes.
We are all helpers who will not allow ourselves to be helped!

Days gone by

My son and I went to Cooperstown to visit the Baseball hall of fame this weekend. We had a great time there and the drive afforded us time to talk about stuff. We had visited the Hall of fame back in 1995 and he remembered a movie that they showed and sure enough it was still there. The show was different but we had a good time all the same and we decided we would go again in a few years. As we spoke of our first visit I was surprised to hear how fondly he recalled the trip and how much he remembered. He was 5 years old at the time and his sister was also with us. We spent a long weekend at Howe Caverns and the Baseball hall of fame and we had a great time. I found pictures of the trip and I was amazed to see how young both of them were. He is going to be 17 in April and she will be 22 in May.
It was truly amazing to revisit through my sons eyes and memories. This is good, this is very good.

Weekends

Weekends are so short yet at the same time they can last an eternity. When you work Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday with folks that need constant supervision and care you begin to feel empty. I have one day off before I have to go back and face the onslaught of neediness and anger. PTSD is something real and it creeps up on you without you realizing. How does one change staffing patterns to prevent people from becoming traumatized.
A day a week off does not make for a healthy work environment! Stay tuned for updates on this matter. I would be interested to hear any thoughts on this also.

Support

Work was a bit on the crazed side this evening yet we were able to get through the evening without anyone getting hurt or hurting themselves. My co-workers were excellent as usual and made interventions that much easier. We once again were able to support each other and go home feeling positive about what we do.
I believe everyone hates when they feel threatened and those we serve threaten when they feel unsafe. Knowing this helps but one still feels anxious when threatened.
Trauma and stress can be overwhelming sometimes. It is nice to know we can count on one another in times of crisis.

Winter blues

Well looks like winter is still missing in action yet the temperature is beginning to drop. The weather people say we may get some snow next week but you never know.
One can still be blue though and alas I am there! I have always been a bit down during the winter months, a little "SAD" perhaps. Life has changed so much for me in the last few months. I feel like I have be on a long journey and just now returned to myself. I have been very emotional lately and find I am close to tears often. I avoid the radio as the songs can trigger a tear fest. I do my best to stay focused and busy but the best laid plans go right down the drain sometimes.
My son and I have a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame planned for the end of the month and I look forward to the trip with him. We have not been there in 8 or 9 years so it will be fun.
My daughter is coming back from Ireland this weekend and heading back to school so I will be able to chat more often than the last three weeks. A college senior now I often wonder where the years have gone since I first held her in my arms as a new born?

Time marches forward

Time may change but those I work for surely do not. Today promises to be an emotionally driven evening at work. My co-workers and myself will have our hands full maintaining the safety of all. That is what we do, we co-manage.
11 teen girls, each one looking to have their needs met. Without basic needs being met it is impossible to from healthy relationships. Without healty relationships we can not help co-manage. The cycle continues. The year is new and we are filled with hope.

The winter that never was

OK so what ever happened to winter? Have we finally screwed things up so badly that we went and destroyed an entire season? I feel badly for the polar bears but believe me I feel even worse for us. I don't love winter but I absolutly hate summer and we seem to be heading for hotter summers and warmer winters.
Way to go.......
Stock up on some spf 150.

New Year, Old crap

Whoever said, "what a difference a day makes", was so wrong. Some things never change and although I am hopeful that things will change as of today nothing has changed. Life goes on but time appears to be standing still none the less.
Why do I feel like I am caught in an episode of the " Twilight Zone"?
Damn it's not even cold and it's January in Vermont!
Stay tuned for updates.

Happy New Year

May the new year year bring you happiness and good health.