Job pt. 2

I like my job more every day I work. People sometimes hint that it would be best to find a job with benefits, but I find I'm really enjoying what I'm doing, so the benefits seem less important the longer I stay.
We're not supposed to get attached to the clients, because they have so many people that come and go in their lives, and the closer we get to them, the harder it will be when we eventually move on. I understand that in theory, but putting that into practice is a lot easier said than done.
A few weeks ago, I was switched to permanenly being scheduled at the boys' house, which I was excited about, but also a little uncertain about. The boys' house definitely has a more laid back atmosphere, and my head isn't usually pounding by the time I get off, an occurence that happened many times when I worked at the girls' house. By nature of working at the boys' house though, it is mostly male staff, and I have sometimes encountered a less enthusiastic work ethic there. The people I work with on a consistent basis though are amazing people and I have found we work together well to get the job done and have fun with the clients along the way.
Some of my favorite parts of the job are discovering slowly how much more the clients are capable of then what I first thought. They never cease to amaze me, and I am constantly wondering what is going on in some of the clients' minds. They definitely know more than they let on, or sometimes want to let on.
I sometimes wish it was a requirement to graduate from high school to work with people with developmental disabilities. I'm not sure why, but I feel that society has created an image of this population as scary and intimidating. I know when I first started my job, I had no idea what I was getting into, and almost felt alien walking into and discovering a new environment. So many of the people I have met with disabilities are beautiful people, and it is an amazing joy getting to spend time with and support them. I am positive that if more people just tried with working with this population, they would enjoy the work, but for whatever reason society has labeled such work as only suitable for "select people." I understand that my line of work often involves a great deal of patience, which granted not everyone has, but I think patience is a wonderful quality that can be developed when put in the right atmosphere. I remember at the beginning of the summer, my friend encouraged me to look for work supporting people with developmental disabilities, and I thought, "There's no way I would be good at that. Only certain, strong people are capable of such work." When I finally applied for and began working at BCS, I found out I was completely wrong. All the clients at BCS are regular people, just looking to love and be loved during their time on this earth. You don't have to possess some sort of magical "x-factor" to be a part of that process, and you certainly shouldn't be intimidated by getting to know people that may speak a little slower than you or cope with emotional and psychological triggers in different ways than you or I might deal with.
With all that said, I encourage you to keep your mind open in all areas of life, but especially when it comes to getting to know and interact with people with developmental disabilities.

♥