Stuck ~ In Limbo, Out Of Work, & In A Slump
My Purpose Destroyed at the Hands of Another
The last job I had I simply loved. I worked for a Residential Care Facility as the Assistant Accountant. They had (3) residential homes for developmentally handicapped patients.
These patients are part of a California State program to get people out of the institutional setting. Placing them in a true home environment is their goal. Each patient, (known as a client) had their own bedroom. All employees wore regular clothing, we had music playing in the background, carried on normal conversations, etc.
Food was cooked in the kitchen, and those that could eat with help were wheeled into the kitchen/dining area where everyone gathered.
Amongst all the therapists that came into the home, I got to know these two therapists, Sarah Rose Houck, MT-BC, and Diane Fambrini. Sarah the Music Therapist and Diane the Recreational Therapist.
Sarah is very talented! She has a beautiful voice. I swear, she could sing anything, play instruments, and get those that are a bit grumpy to smile. Not all the clients were vocal. Some had motor issues (lifting their arms, using their hands to hold something, etc.)
Sarah always came through those front doors with a smile that made everyone light up! Want to know a little secret? She played all types of music — even the kind that made you want to shake your booty!
Diane Fambrini, Recreational Therapist, is another great addition to the team. Diane would come in and help all the clients with projects to create. Even if they couldn’t do something, she found a way to include everyone! She is kind, and compassionate and treated everyone with a smile. I do believe she also had a soft spot for Christopher.
Let me introduce you to Christopher. He is a client in one of the homes. 23 years old, has limited speech capability, loves to tease, and learned to call me by name. He would always ask me how I was each morning I came to work. On the weekends, the nurses would send me a picture or short video, of Christopher. “He missed me!”
One morning, I got permission to bring my Flowered Sharpei Puppy to visit Christopher. I wasn’t sure how Chloe would react. She is very shy, and timid, Christopher is in a huge wheeled chair, and there was a lot of commotion, in the home.
I got Chloe from the Sharpei Rescue, and she does not like guys. But I decided I would give it a try, and if it didn’t work out, I would take her home and come back.
After signing in, taking my temp, and putting my mask on, Chloe and I ventured into the home. Christopher heard me before he saw me — but when he saw Chloe his entire face lit right up. He threw his head back and laughed! Even stranger, Chloe went right to him! She wasn’t afraid of him at all. That brought tears to my eyes. What a warm welcome for her and Christopher.
My buddy Shiryl Mishra and I took Christopher for a neighborhood walk with Chloe. Christopher loved it. His face was lit up with smiles and laughter and he talked all along the way.
We were like a family. We all got along and wanted the clients to feel they are every bit a part of this family. One of Christopher’s caretakers found out he liked the Gangnam Style video. So on this very hot summer day, she found that video on the big screen tv turned the volume up, and pressed play!
We were up out of our chairs shaking our booties and Christopher was bobbing his head and laughing. Jeffrey was smiling, and Merlin was happy. It was the first time I heard Merlin laugh.
Yes, I loved the job, and no I did not get along with the owner. Very controlling, and needed to be the center of attention. She had to be the one to give the directions. She did not feel any of us could make an informed decision.
The atmosphere of family, camaraderie, and closeness? It became non-existent. The minute she walked through the front door, everything went to total silence. We all felt the tension. Being older, I have learned to pick my battles. I would work at keeping a low profile. Yes, I would stand my ground when necessary, but I knew to walk away when it became too tense between the owner and myself.
A new owner came in. Had a big mess to clean up. They brought systems and technology that made everyone’s life easier. For the most part? They kept all the personnel that wanted to stay.
Since the new owners have their own accounting department, I wasn’t needed. I helped them through the transition and then walked out the door. I did not realize until a few weeks ago how being in a toxic environment affected me.
Having no ambition is devasting to me. I go through the motions. Do what I need to do. There isn’t any excitement or patting myself on the back for a good job done.
Usually, I am the positive one. The one that sees the good in everyone and everything, the one who brings a different perspective to a situation. Now? I don’t see anything.
