Sunday the 20th of December marked a big change in my working life, and quite possibly, my personal life. Yesterday afternoon was my last working shift of doing a job I never really thought I was capable of doing. Three and a half years later and I’ve proved myself wrong. During my time of working with people who have severe learning disabilities, I’ve learnt a lot about myself and even more about a small proportion of the general public regarding their attitudes towards the people I have supported.
It’s been a huge learning curve for me personally. Along the way I’ve met some fantastic people and made lifelong friends, which is something I can take away with me and keep with me for the remainder of my life. Last night I supported the gentlemen by administering their medication and tucking most of them up into bed. My last words to each of them was “Sleep well, Santa will soon be here” before I closed their bedroom doors. In effect I was closing a memorable chapter in my life. I’ll miss them.
In the coming weeks, I intend to write a blog about the ‘Reality’ of life as a support/care worker, but more importantly, the life of the people who, through no fault of their own, struggle to be accepted in a world that is supposed to be about inclusivity.
The new job (When I start it) is something I have wanted to do for a number of years for the following reason. When I was at university, I met a chap (Gary) who was academically gifted beyond belief and also had the pain of a hard life imprinted in his eyes. He had lived on the streets for over 10 years in and around Nottingham as a chronic alcohol and drug user. He had been given a hand-up by a person who was employed by Nottingham Council to help those who were desperate for help, so they could get up off their knees and face the world on their own two feet. During his time living on the streets, Gary had witnessed one of his closest friends burn to death at the hands of a group of thugs underneath a bridge in Nottingham. Gary told me he was unable to help his friend because he was physically and mentally incapable due to the amount of alcohol and drugs he had consumed.
The morning after he had helplessly watched his friend die through a drug induced haze, when he eventually regained his composure after a night in the local police station, being asked questions then hopelessly trying to settle, he promised himself he would try to change the course of his life. Not long after that terrible night, Gary was eventually offered a bed in a rehabilitation centre, which he accepted. Whilst he was in the centre, a young man came to talk to Gary, offering him help to get his life on a track that could lead him away from drugs, alcohol abuse and addiction. The young man was an Enablement worker. Gary admitted to me that without the young man’s help and guidance, he would probably have died on the streets like many of his friends.
After 2 years, Gary had beaten his addiction, managed to get a flat in the city centre and found a part time job, all with the help of the enablement worker.
He had gone into adult education to try and get basic math and English qualifications and discovered he was well above the levels he was learning at. 2 years later he had qualified for a place at the university where I was studying. Oddly, he rarely turned up to lectures or seminars but in every test, presentation, essay and exam he was awarded 90% plus.
Gary’s story, specifically the help he had been given, awoke something inside of me and made me want to do that type of work, but the opportunity never arose for me, plus I didn’t really believe I could do it, until recently.
So I’m waiting to start my new job as an enablement worker for Derbyshire County Council. I know deep inside that it will be very different from what I’ve done for the past 3 and a half years, but I think I’m better prepared to take this job on and do it to the very best of my ability.
I feel that working with and supporting people with severe learning disabilities has given me an invaluable experience, something I can hopefully take forward with me in my new job.
A meaningful post in so many ways, John
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Thanks Derrick π I’m going to catch up with your blog now I’m not working over Christmas π
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π
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All the best for your new job buddy!
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Inspiring
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I don’t really know you except through your posts John. But they all speak of a long journey of self-discovery, in which you get to help some of the country’s least advantaged people. I reckon you will love the new challenge and wish you all the best as it unfolds matey.
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Thanks Kev. I’m hoping this is the job that satisfies me. I’m biting at the bit to start mate.
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Iβm sure youβll do brilliantly in your new job and will find it very rewarding. I admire you for making the career change, and you will always have the memory of Gary to guide you.
Merry Christmas, and hereβs to a great New Year!
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All the best for your new job. You will certainly have skills to take with you there and as much as there will be new skills to come, you will be an asset in your new job and for the people you help.
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Thanks Liz π I hope you’re right
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Well done – both in doing a great job and doing one that’s so worthwhile and valuable. Hope it’s increased your own self-belief, too.
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Thanks luv, I’ve left a great job to hopefully go into another one. Fingers crossed π
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Good wishes for your new job John.
Happy holidays.
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Thank you Rupali, happy holidays to you pal π
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Iβm delighted and proud of you.
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Proud of me !? Wow thank you very much fred πππ
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Beautiful
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π thank you Rach
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my pleasure π
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Having known you for many years John, I know that youβll be really good at your new role. I wish you the very best of luck, not that youβll need it.
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Cheers Chris, appreciate it mate ππ
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I can’t think of anything more challenging than working with an intelligent drug addict, but I can’t imagine any reward greater than seeing them heal and get better.
You’ll be great at this.
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Thanks Abbie. I’m looking forward to it
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As I see it, new is always exciting! So you will start on an interesting journey next year. No one says exciting is always easy though … π … I wish you all the best. Your experience will definitely be an asset! π
My sister in law also had a similar job and quit it now after six years, it was getting to her.
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Thanks Stella π I hope so. You’re sister in law did very well to last 6 years.
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I wish you the best of luck in your calling – though as it is clearly your calling, you wonβt need it
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Thanks JoJo. Appreciate your confidence in me. I think I will need something luck.
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Congratulations, you will be a champion in your new job! Best for 2021!
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Thanks Phil. Hope you’re well mate and you have a great Christmas/new year π
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Thank you John and the same to you. If you win the lottery remember, I’m your friend. BTW the best (i.e. most personally rewarding) work I have ever done was with people with Downs syndrome. I never treated them as ‘children’, but as my equals and they appreciated that – I have kept all of their presents. Cheers.
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Actually, I never play the lottery, but if I did we’d be firm ‘Friends ‘ π€£ and I know what you mean mate about the rewards from working with DS.
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What a lovely story … thank you for sharing …. Have a lovely Christmas. XXXXMarie
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Thank you Marie, hope you have a lovely Christmas to. ππ
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Merry Christmas. May you continue to bring such insight to 2021!
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Thank you Ren. Have a lovely Christmas and new year ππ All the best for 2021
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Amen,Merry Christmas, happy holidays.
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A heart-warming tale–literally. I feel inspired and uplifted and hopeful. Congrats, John!
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Thanks Sel. It’s not just addicts I’ll be helping, it’s people who have just been released from prison and people who are struggling with dad to day living. It should be worthwhile. Merry Christmas π
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Yeah, I meant all of it! The situation with released prisoners, as you probably know, is terrible here too. Probably worse here. They are not given much help.
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Yea, it probably is worse there. Everyone needs a hand up at sometime in their life.
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Well, you rock!
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beautifully written, and sad but so important to say and write (x)
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Wonderful story there John! I wish all the best for you in your new job which I’m sure you will be well suited for! All the best for 2021 John!ππΈπ
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Thank you Steve π that means alot π All the very best for 2021 πππ
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Thanks so much John!ππΈπ₯³π₯³
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Sorry for the late reply dear. Your message was in my spam folder, no idea why! Hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas πβ₯οΈ
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Inspiring π
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Thank you Aman. Hope next year brings great things for you ππππ
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Yeah I know next year is going to be probably the best year in my life. I have many plans for 2021. 2020 was the most problematic year in my life , I suffered from multiple diseases. But I am really excited about my future.
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Fantastic ππ hope it’s brilliant for you buddy π
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Reblogged this on Unsung Heroes: People Shining a Light in a Sometimes Dark World and commented:
You will, John
“What we do for ourselves, dies with us…but what we do for others lives on”
www,writingcraig.wordpress.com
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Thank you Craig, very much appreciated mate ππ
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Nice
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What a brilliant way to start a year! Give it all you’ve got, mate it sounds like a fantastic career you’re developing there. To work and have a mission all to the same purpose – no better way to live! Good luck!
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Thanks very much Fred. I’m still waiting on a start date. Bloody covid has slowed the process down !! Hope your 2021 is full of happiness mate ππ
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Congratulations on your journey thus far. Best of luck in your new role, Enjoyed your posts. You are a very busy gent, so I’ll not bother you further. Do well, sir!
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Thanks very much buddy, appreciated π I haven’t actually started the new job yet, I’m waiting for my contract to come through so I’m chilling out at home.
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Good on you, John… hope all goes well… some of what you said reminded me of that Michael Caine movie, ‘Harry Brown’… so don’t get yourself into any dangerous situations ! Take care !
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Ahhhhh yes, I’ve seen that. I’ll be ok mate, but thanks π
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