I officially started my internship last week at the Earl Baum Center in Santa Rosa, and though I can't go into details about clients, I can say that I'm learning a lot in a very short period of time. My master teacher is an alumni of the SFSU O and M program, and had all the same teachers and classes I did. She too survived crossing 19th Avenue under blindfold, and now here she is working with clients, helping them with daily living skills, cane skills and street crossing. Gives me hope that soon I'll too have a case-load of students and my office in my car.
It's been challenging though. I'm driving three to four hours a day, from my home and then to the various client's homes throughout Sonoma County. The schedule can be hectic and some days we skip lunch trying to get to everyone. My master teacher tries hard to accommodate my needs, but a lot of the schedule is driven by client availability and location, so there's only so much she can do. I'm beginning to realize just how hard it's going to be juggling Queen Teen's continuing needs and a full time job. Will I be able to pull this off? It's looking more like I'll need to work part time for a while, with one day a week devoted to Queen Teen. How do other parents work and care for a child with disabilities? Maybe I'm just a wimp.
At the same time, I'm studying for my Master's exam in October, and my Certification exam in January. I should know all about Orientation and Mobility, right? Then why does it feel like I've forgotten every term every taught to me. Eye anatomy; common eye-conditions; the difference between a landmark and a clue; the necessary parts of a functional assessment; what color tint of shades to use for Macular Degeneration. All that info is in my brain somewhere, but I'm having to re-read much of the readings from my classes to make sense out of it.
But when I work with a client, the info appears. Instinctively I know how to teach orientation skills to a client. I may not remember all of the visual effects caused by Diabetic Retinopathy, but I do know how to teach, and I figure the details of what I learned in class will coalesce into retrievable, logical sense in my brain. Just takes a little time, and study.
Queen Teen is thrilled that I'm home evry night for dinner now. No more staying in San Fran far away from her. But I miss my weekly trips to the City by the Bay, and miss seeing my friends regularly. The City charges my batteries, so to speak. I need to plan some trips for fun.
Well, gotta get back to work. My master teacher will be here soon and then we're meeting a client. Thanks for hanging in there while I wrote about Burning Man (which everyone should go to at least once in their life).
4 comments:
I am so behind on a lot of my blogs! I love living vicariously through others' experiences- it sounds like you had a great time at Burning Man.
I'm sure you'll figure out a good work/life balance. I haven't been working since Nolan was born, so I don't have to worry about it too much. I plan on going back when he's in school, though, so I'll have to figure something out then!
I think it's very much normal to not remember every single thing one is taught. If it weren't normal, doctors wouldn't have all sort of physicians reference books, and pharmacists wouldn't have books 10 inches thick dealing with drugs and their side effects. And don't forget the literal tons of law books that lawyers have to keep on hand in order to look up case law. Nobody can remember it all.
And just like doctors, pharmacists, and lawyers, I think the longer you're practicing your trade the more second nature will kick in, and the better your instincts will be honed. Hang in there and know it will come in time.
And I haven't held a job outside the home since I've been married, so I'm the last one to tell you how to juggle work and home. Maybe you can give me advice, if and when I make my way back into the work force? ;O)
"when I work with a client, the info appears" That's how the internship solidifies some of the information for you. I agree with what the previous commenter said about learning and remembering as a professional. Don't despair.
I've seen several posts lately about (not) comparing children w/ sn with others. Maybe you shouldn't try to compare yourself to other mothers - ? Just like all the juggling you did to get your master's degree, I'm betting you work-out employment combined with parenting. Barbara
You're no wimp. Uh-uh. No way.
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