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I receive many different emotional, practical and physical supports throughout the week at home and at work.
Emotionally, I get much support from my fiance and my family. My fiance is the one who supported me to go back to school and helps me when I am very stressed out with balancing schoolwork, my career, and keeping up the home. He reminds me that the work is worth it, and helps out where needed. He is also very good at helping me turn frustrating situations around to see another side of it. He is a cheerleader of sorts during mountain hikes and snowshoeing trips, helping me push myself to my limits. My sisters and mom are also very supportive emotionally. They can tell whether I am seeking advice, or just need an ear to listen, whether my conflicts are work-related or personal.
Practical supports I use most often in my life are routines and schedules, lists, and my weekly planner. Routines and schedules help me balance the many aspects of my life, such as work, school, and family (and soon- wedding planning!) Lists help me keep track of paperwork that has important deadlines to keep in compliance with special education law. My weekly planner is another way I organize my routine and schedule, and helps me to remember what is coming up that week.
I do not have many physical supports I need. Around the classroom and home I am in need of a step ladder to reach top shelves, and can only perform two-person escorts when responding to children who are a danger to themselves and/or others on the rare occasion it is needed. When I have parent meetings, I often have found it helpful to dress a step above the usual professional dress, so as to appear my age, as I have been told more than once by parents that I don't look old enough to teach (that can make it difficult to begin building relationships!)
The challenge I chose to imagine was a sensory challenge, as I work with a couple students that have difficulty with where their body is in relation to other people and objects around them. Imagine being out on the playground, surrounded by loud children zooming by you, and not knowing whether or not they will crash into you or not. Imagine walking over to get your backpack from the coat rack, with all the other children jostling and pushing into you. Supports I would need as an adult with this sensory challenge may include tools to help me keep my materials organized, and places to eat lunch that are not super-crowded. I may need self-calming techniques to help me manage the anxiety that comes from coping with new situations where I am unsure of how many people will be there or how close together we will be sitting. These supports would be essential for me to carry out my job, which includes occasional crowds, meetings and conferences, and lots of paperwork. Without them, it would be very difficult to carry through every-day activities.
Carolyn, I like that you mentioned lists and schedules. I did not think of these, and yet, they are very much a part of my life. I have felt so overwhelmed lately, in spite of my supports, that I've really come to rely on lists and schedules; they do, in fact, work. I am able to get through my life because of them, since, as you know, I was about to scream without them. They are really huge supports. Thanks for sharing and pointing this out!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how we don't always realize that we need that emotional support but the other person who is close to us know just how to react by listening or offering advice. Your Mom and Sister know you well and it sounds like they provide just the support you need to keep up with the things in your life. Having that cheerleader is great motivation as well because you know that your fiance will be there no matter what. Good luck with your wedding planning, you will definitively need a wedding planner book to stay organized.
ReplyDeleteI remember the days when my friends would complain about how useless their husbands were and I just looked at them in silence. Since he was a firefighter, he had large blocks of time at home and he usually helped with everything from laundry and cooking to yard and cars. I felt very fortunate (most of the time) to have such a responsive man in my life. He, too, was my cheerleader and not only kept me motivated to earn my Bachelor's but encouraged me many years ago to attain my Masters when the time was right. Well, here I am - thanks to his memory and the others around that continuously support me.
ReplyDeleteAs I read all of the other Blogs this week, I am encouraged again to try keeping a more precise calendar to help organize my many responsibilities. My mom is also trying to help me get accustomed to using lists so that I don't forget as much - the problem is... I keep forgetting where I put my list!
I really do like the thoughtful way that you talked about your imagined challenge. This shows an ability to be very observant and attuned to the needs of others. Something that I struggle with daily.
I never thought of routines as a support. Thanks for mentioning them, so I can think a little more about how my routines support me.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we have quite a bit in common! My family/fiance support me in a similar way.
ReplyDeleteYou take on a sensory challenge was interesting. It was great that you thought of self-calmin techniques. I can imagine those would be so important.