A trying day

By David Robbins Tuesday, March 23, 2010

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"The hardest part of doing nothing is knowing when to quit." There are a lot of starfish out there, I can't make a difference in all but I can on a few.

I have had a trying day. Woke up early but managed to get back to sleep 4 hours later. My routine is slightly ajar. I just didn't feel like writing when I woke

up. I talked with a friend for a bit.

The CTRC went well. The smoking class was really good. I don't and haven't smoked in about 17 years. I offer them support. I'm learning new techniques. I made the comment about how you can't smoke in or on the grounds of the hospital. The reaction I got was astounding. It is better to be a patient than an outpatient. The hospital is better. I was floored. The state hospital is healthier than being out of it! WOW!

I talked to the Program Manager about a few things. I told him of my discouragement of how little people do there. The part I work in is a social club. I didn't understand the scope of it til today. That's why they all fall asleep or sit and do nothing all day! It's a mini hospital that allows smoking. Anyway I voiced my concerns. I learned the rules better too. I got some good ideas and will follow up on them on Thursday.

Any of you out there in cyberland have any ideas of how to motivate people? I am afraid that those clients are getting a huge disservice. I am frustrated. Those people need help. The state keeps cutting funds. Its awful to watch a person sleep all day. I know some of its meds or whatever... but WHY? The clients wanted to open the library. I opened it and only one man came in for a few minutes. The suggestion of giving tours appealed to me. I will do that on Thursday.

"If your mind can see it then you can achieve it.". "If you don't take control of your life, someone else will."

David

An epiphany

Comments (4) | Add comment

Adam's mom

3/23/10 3:51pm

Dave,

Maybe some music therapy. Take some ballons in and let them play "volleyball" or just keep them in the air. They will have to interact. Mabe google some music therapy ideas.

Kathy

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

3/23/10 8:23pm

Great ideas Kathy!

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

3/23/10 8:22pm

Hi Dave,

I gave a talk today at an outpatient clinic and a guy was asleep on a couch snoring. I wrote about this in my response to your comment posted to my comment on one of your earlier SharePosts.

Understand that if you reach one person at a time that is a noble goal.

How can you motivate people? I struggle with this because of the disconnect between where I am and where other people are. The therapist today wanted me to talk about the benefits of working because some of the clients had been patients at the clinic for a long time and resisted the idea of working.

So I strive not only to inspire people I strive to help people decide to take action. Thus the question you should ask and it is one I ask is: How can we get clients to take action?

I would suggest you employ a subtle and gentle form of motivational interviewing to see if a person has any goals and to help brainstorm with them how they can achieve the goals.

This might not work for everyone however you can put feelers out there to certain people you think you can reach. Just remember that you can't always predict who will respond well to you. Like I said in my response to your other SharePost a person might be riding the train home and that is when the light bulb goes off in their head.

It is also as with any aspect of recovery not a quick turnaround in someone's perception or abilities and you should be patient and understand that if you want to do this gig for the long-term the results might not be immediate.

I know it must be hard for you to watch people sleep all day. Funny I didn't take it poorly when I heard the guy snoring today. I realized that one guy kept asking questions and that he could be the one person I reached for today.

Three woman also asked me questions and the guy who recommended me to speak told me I have given a good talk.

I understand it can be hard to delay your wanting gratification for your efforts and not seeing measurable results right away. Please remember you have only just begun to have an impact in their lives.

Give it time my friend give it time.

In my own life I've decided to give three talks a year because I feel it is a way I can help glue the cracks that people fall through in the system.

I know I will not reach everyone I speak to however I feel I must do this.

Regards,

Christina

David Robbins

3/24/10 5:16am

Thank you Christina for grounding me. I will adopt patience. You are so right that I help one person then it is all worth it.

I am glad your talk went well. You are an inspiration and beacon of hope.

Thank you again for your wisdom.

Take care,

David

A trying day

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