The Week that Flashed Past Us

 I want to apologize for having taken so long to make an update in the journal. The week ran away with us and we’ve had trouble slowing her down. We’re ok ... really.

I had problems with the death of Sr. Tess’ mother. I was ok going with Sr. to the nursing home on the emergency call. And after some trouble arranging the ride to the wake, we thought we were doing pretty good. But, after we went up to see Sr. Tess’ mother, we began to have some problems. We got pretty sad and mopey, because the mother and daughter looked so much alike.

We had trouble separating out that Sr. Tess wasn’t going to die. We regressed and had terrible nightmares. We made then a decision not to go to the funeral. Instead, we’ve dissociated to work thoughts. Our understanding of the funeral was that it was a "happy" funeral. Like many of you had noted ... it is an accomplishment of a life well-spent to live to be 99.

There were two meetings at work. The first was the Administration meeting on Tuesday. Sr. Tess wasn’t there. We were well prepared for the three person meeting. We were to go over the Administrative questions CARF would ask. Our friend took it as we were trying to "teach him" and rebelled by rushing the meeting. It took us a while not to be angry.

The second meeting was the second staff meeting. It was just us and three of the DSPs finishing our discussion on CARF. I think all were feeling comfortable about the upcoming survey, but in the process we discovered there was a lot of dissatisfaction in regard to their regular Wednesday in-services with the other Q. Mostly, the DSPs didn’t feel as if they were growing professionally and they were tired of being "taught" the same things every year.

We talked over the meeting with Sr. Tess and she thought it might help to get them out of the building for a few meetings. With luck, I was able to find a local developmental disability EXPO (for free) coming up in May. Two of the DSPs were chosen to go and they were very, very happy.

Our own dissatisfaction over what the other Q was doing with State training opened a floodgate for us. I think I could do much better as a staff trainer. It would mean giving up only intake work, but we've got scheduled in our limit of 50 clients. I have a book I thought to make an excellent addition to the training called, "The Skillful Teacher."

The meetings we had found while looking for the DSPs, excited us. Basically, we could take three days off of direct work and become pretty adept at providing natural supports to the individuals and their families and in teaching the individuals self-advocacy. In our mind, we figured for the new year (July 2004-June 2005), we could work program development by teaching the staff directly and running groups on Leadership, Advocacy, Thinking and as a subpart of that conflict resolution.

We also found resources for new goals for the DSPs. The upper three groups would take on work of William J. Bennett on honor, virtues, and morals. We’re still looking for a practical book on training severe and profound mental retardation for the last group. I figured out a work project for all groups the idea of starting their own business of pressed flowers and plants and as an aside I found a couple of resources on developing our management style based on people’s strengths.

Hmm, that about catches you up ... we still have Qnote homework for today and tomorrow. We’re not real excited about that yet, but CARF is now less than 10 days away.

Thanks for being faithful readers and particularly for the prayers, blessings, and mass offered. We gave Sr. Tess a copy of the journal entry of her mother’s passing. You all feel like a part of us and your giving is a blessing. We offer ... great thanks...

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Sister Tess' Mother died today. She was 99.

We've Been Cookin ...

Morning ... We’re up pretty early. Feelin fine. Tried something new ... we cooked breakfast! Well, actually it was just microwaving some potatoes, but we're talking about women who get confused heating soup! We think we did ok, but they we're a little mushy.  Eh, sufficed!

We figure our day yesterday was broken into five parts. We got up and played around J-land, then we worked on a project we had taken home, then we met up with Macadam and had a wonderful time even though we were payin bills (went out to dinner too!), then we wrote to a good friend, then we went to bed. That’s it ... all we did all day. 

The project was sort of an extra project. You know how we’ve been progressing CARF, and with having figured out that State manual Saturday ... we were inches away from figurin out what the other Q is supposed to be doing with training the five folks that need to be trained.  

We had gotten frustrated because the other Q was not able to produce one valid lesson plan for our CARF records. The one she did give us on client rights was one produced seven years ago by another staff. Her work shouldn’t be a secret, but this co-worker goes out of her way to keep her work from being known even to Sr. Tess. The DSPs don't know any better, the rest of us are very busy and this co-worker gets riled (loud), indignant and intimidating if anyone asks questions.

There has not been a single piece of paper Sr. Tess hasn’t opened up for us. She’s taught us to ask questions and learn all nuances of the business. Sr. Tess is very trusting. The only thing I haven’t known about or pushed was evidence of this coworker's work.

From our work yesterday, we’ll be able to show Sr. Tess what has happened to the staff training program.  The thing is ... we'd gotten a directive from Sr. and am now through the opening.  This co-worker's gobbility gook can be put out on the table.  

Hmm ... a twist has been added ... we just talked to our friend ... he's saying we shouldn't upset Sister with this information and pretty much pretend it didn't happen.  I think we'll talk to Dr. M about it this morning ... Very confused again :(

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Puttin Up Our Feet (Just two of them)

Man-o-man what a wonderful morn and the sun is shinin! It’s 9 am already and I haven’t done anything for a couple of hours except drink coffee and catch up with some J-reading. We felt too out-of-the-loop to be making many comments yet ... needed first to figure out where everyone was at. We’ve been stretching the work clock so have woken up too late for our regular reading this week. We’re sorry.

We didn’t have any more marguerites, but if it counts, we must have been pretty slap happy before we retired from work last night because the two sisters came home and accused us of drinking! We’d been workin like a demon and we were red in the face!!

We worked on three CARF projects yesterday. The first was to put together a State training manual (actually it had to be separated to three binders) for the DSPs. The second was to finish the last "big" book (21 sections) that everyone else had passed on to us. And the last, was to put together a "program" package for all staff. It was centered on not only the program, but on the basics everyone should know (like the Center's ethics and philosophy) and outcome summaries. Phew, lotsa work accomplished.

None of the work was real hard ... just took time getting through it. There is only one "little" CARF book left and at that, it’s complete just need to write in the description pages of each of the remaining four sections. I left plenty for Sr. Tess to look through today now. In all, there were directly 13 CARF books written (many 3" binders) and a bevy of supporting documents like the two just mentioned. We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now over the next two weeks, we have to be satisfied with what we’ve done toward CARF and work on getting our regular Q work finished. I have 5 clients who are still way behind in their Qnotes, 2 annuals to finish up, and for my entire case load (24 people), I have to write Qnotes to cover March and April. That’ll take some time. Just two weeks left now.

But, today is Sunday ... a day of rest. Thinking Macadam might come over, not sure. Maybe I should clean off my desk? Hmm, do that now ... Ok, that’s better. Darn milk shake evidence ...

Back to the "relaxin" part!

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Kittens and Mices

Let’s see, let’s see ... Need to remember what happened yesterday morning. Oh-oh ... I know. We umm got into a little editing situation. The secretary had given us back a beautiful seven page copy of an introduction to the Center's Program. It was doubly nice, because the secretary had done such a nice job on writing a Spanish version. But, I figured I could afford a "couple" changes.

Oh man, like three hours later ... Well, one could look at the new draft in two ways. For usability to the Center and beauty it was something to behold. To a secretary that had to be reading all the scribbles ... it might have been a living nightmare! Hehe, umm I think we got busted on this one ... the cat came back to see how the mice had played ... and just in time for an afternoon staff meeting. It seems Sr. Tess now knows about the project. With raised eyebrows she said, "we’ll talk about this later." *Sigh*

Otherwise, the staff meeting was really, really pretty cool. It was a one and a half hour meeting on CARF. Most of the staff haven’t heard really anything about CARF, except Sr. and I work on it alot.  After about 15 minutes of Sr. Tess talking ... in a surprise move, she just handed it over to us. It was like yeeks!

So, we started ... I was familiar with the handouts Sr had prepared (written them actually), so I followed the outline. The big point though was in going over the "outcomes." Sr. had spoken to the surveyor a couple of days previously and he hinted that the outcomes were one of his major points of concentration, but at this point ... not even Sr. Tess knew what our outcomes were. We knew. Written a 31 page report on them that had never really gotten exposure.

Mostly, Sr. Tess leaves developing programs up to us. So, I equated outcomes to documents available. It starts with our ICAP for adaptive and maladaptive behavior, then we added statistics from the 13 program areas and the individual goals the clients work on. Lastly, we summarized the Annual Reports.  We concluded with a discussion of the above. 

It had been a very good report and a pretty good presentation ... even the part with standard deviations.  We were having fun *silly grin* Pretty good day all told!  Even got treated out in the end to fajitas and margaritas!!

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*Sigh*

We are very appreciative of Bill for letting us first air our thoughts in a email prior to this entry. Thanks for being so patient with us Bill.

We went to our appointment and had to wait about an hour and a half. Then we made a little scene and were allowed into the room to wait. They gave us some ice water. We took turns waiting, but it was Ann that went through the most hardship. Then Kate came out, because she was upset Ann was upset. Kate didn’t like the resident or attendant in the least.

The doctors concluded in about 7 minutes total that it "looked like a hernia." They are sending us to a surgeon for consultation. We had done enough reading to make us belief it isn’t a very big deal, so we’re going to put off the next step until after CARF. CARF is the 19-21, surgeon on the 23, and back to the medical doctor on the 27. There will be tests in between.

Late afternoon, we went back to the University for our Dr. M. Appointment. We’re not sure of all of it, but know that Kate was a main person out. We know that Casey was out for a bit and Annemarie. If someone else was out, it was shorter and more sneakily. Kate seemed tired and put out by the day’s effort. I think she talked about work also, but I don’t recall what she said about it. Maybe a little catch-up?

Casey seemed to be affected by a friend telling her that her castle wasn’t real. We’re figuring it wasn’t a nice thing for the friend to have done. Especially, because it made Casey feel unsure of herself. Then we did no better by not being able to keep Casey away from our negative thinking. Annemarie had been out and was pretty far gone in a dark, black place. Casey was close to that experience and had concluded that someone was trying to kill her. But, as these things go Dr. M’s meter ran out and Jaime dealt with our frustrations all the way home.

Pretty much the day. We’re going to need to concentrate on work at work today. Sister’s mother isn’t doing well, so she’ll be spending some time there today. She may or may not make it back for the staff meeting. Our friend will be there to oversee, but she’s left preparing the DSPs for CARF up to us. Really will need to concentrate. That’s about it for the top of the morning. Hope everyone’s day goes well.

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Thing Keep Moving Forward

Yesterday was a pretty good day all considered. The Thinking Group was at the top of the morning. It was day 2 out of 2 for discussing Administrative type issues with the large group. We had a rough start due to one of the smaller groups having visited a pet store to buy gold fish.  Overnight ... some of the fish had died. There were tears. Tough call on that one.

The group's focus was challenged.  The tendency is to want to bring up personal issues during group time which isn't really a group agenda item. We reminded them of adult responsibilities to be talking of issues that affected them as a whole. The responsibility is to pay attention and contribute.  They were receptive. 

Most important issue turned out to be safety. One of the groups had been on a walking tour and had stopped by the local fire department. They thought to ask for an appointment, but were treated to a first lesson. They seemed to pick up quite a bit and not all of it was about how good looking the Chief was with his long mustache. Hehe. They were shown equipment and vehicles. Next time, they will view the private quarters like where the firemen eat and sleep.  Oh yeah, something about getting down that pole too!

After that it was back to CARF needs. One of the interruptions was to clean off our desk surfaces lest it drive us bonkers. I can get only so far before I need to organize.

I was excited about one of the projects for the secretary. She will be translating (to Spanish) our Individual Preference Interview. It is 14 pages of questions we ask the individuals about their choices in 10 different areas such as where they live, with whom, what they do for leisure, safety, etc. Now with it translated, we can send it home to the Families for the individuals who cannot answer on their own.  It's a tremendous amount of good information!

We’re half way through the big book on our services. This one addresses 21 areas. It’s kind of funny really. I spent a year working on CARF three years ago, but I’d been very new to the organization at that time. What’s funny ... is that, I actually kind of know what I’m doing or looking for this time around, just there's always change!

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