a poem

What happens
for you, with you,
to you; 

the client, patient,

consumer

the system

refers to.

A person, 
who, when

try as I may
I cannot
make your day
by finding you
a place
to stay.

I tried and tried,
felt like
my hands
were tied.

Not good enough.

Nowhere near

being close to

good enough

for you,
for me,
society.

Felt like

I was being

hand balled
because I was.
This is surreal,
it can't be real;
in the land of Oz.
It is.
And it's not okay,
not today
not ever.

All I could say
to you

is
I'm really sorry,
I can't find
a place,
any place,
any where
for you
to stay.
Not today.

I'm really sorry,
a great help
I'm sure,
as yet
another door
closes
for you. 

Like

you told me

it would.

What now
and how
did it come 
to this
for you
and

other people 
too.

Where
did you go,
sleep in your car
or 
under the stars?
Perhaps, maybe;
yes.
I don't know,

won’t know.

Are you 
in the big city
on the street

some place?
That's where
you said
you'd go.
No way:
probably,
I don't know.
What a 
damn shame.

Not here
we say,
this 
is not right

not okay.
Shouldn't happen,

wouldn’t happen,

couldn’t happen;
does happen, 
is happening.

It’s not our way,

the way:
or is it?

What is our way
anyway?
What's that mean?
I'm keen to be shown
what I 
don't seem
to know
anymore.

This can't be
the way

not now
not in 
the 21st century:

never: how?

Don't tell me it's so

that it's the way
it goes.
Really, I get it,

I'm beginning to see 
that's life 
each day
for too many
people here.

It's outrageous!
So, 

what can I,
we, this society "do"
for this 
to be different
for you: soon?

lanie

world AIDS day

WORLD AIDS DAY 1st December

http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/internet/wad/Publishing.nsf/content/home

Do you know:
Globally, AIDS is the leading cause of death for girls and women age 15-44 years.
UNICEF

welcome

Welcome Kris and Vanessa.

third day

I've completed 3 days and it's absolutely flown by.

This work keeps me grounded; I love it!

Working alongside people in the hospital and community (in patients and out patients in health service speak).

Peoples relationships with problems being shared with me freely.

I think I'm going to miss this work; it's inspired me to find something similar.

Country health services really interests me!


What inspires you?

lanie

first day...

Well ... each time I do this locum work in the country I am reminded why I am a social worker; really interesting, challenging and rewarding day today.
lanie

Off to work at a Country Health Service. Two weeks locum whilst Senior Social Worker on leave. 

Really enjoy this work, especially in this situation as sole practitioner. Unsure who I'll be working with today, it's always an adventure; not quite knowing what will unfold.

I hope your day and week is purposeful and rewarding for all stakeholders.

lanie

Participated in the Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March on Friday 23rd in Perth.

As always, for me, it's an opportunity to take part in an event that many cannot; for myriad reasons.

It continues to be a powerful reminder to me of the lives taken in Domestic Homicide and how some changes take place whilst much remains to be changed.

Angela Hartwig - CEO Women's Council for Family and Domestic Violence spoke calmly and strongly about many issues, including that very good legislation recently introduced to the parliament was defeated.

I've scanned an article from Saturday's West Australian with comments by Attorney General (WA).

Been-playing today with natural dyes from tea, beetroot and food colouring (unsure how 'natural' ) that is. Interesting results on paper and cloth. Will keep on experimenting.
Very "therapeutic" and an essential part of my self-care.
What are your self-care strategies?
lanie

"If we don't look for or acknowledge 
trauma in the lives 
of  children, adolescents and adults, 

we end up chasing behaviours

and limiting
 the possibilities for change."

Jennifer Wilgocki MS, LCSW (revised)

Slide 82

"Many providers 
assume that abuse experiences (trauma) 
are additional problems for the person, 
rather than the central problem (Hodas, 2004).
Universal Precautions as a Core Trauma Informed Concept
- Presume that 
every person in a treatment setting
 has been exposed to 
abuse, violence, neglect 
or other traumatic experiences."

Slide 95

Presentation by Steven J Onken PhD University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Honouring the Voyage, Reaching the Destination:  
Mental Health Recovery in Wellbeing.

Exploring Relations in Mental Health: 
Health, Recovery & Wellbeing
ASPAC Conference Perth WA 
June 11-13, 2012

Took note of these two slides recently when viewing a download from RFWA resource.

This resonates strongly with me and my practice experience.
What's your experience; what do you think of these quotes?

There are some excellent resources available on 
Richmond Fellowship WA (RFWA) website, see link on this blog site.

lanie

Just remembered Peter Kenyon's Bank of IDEAS: excellent Asset Based Community Development resource. Added to links.

Have a lovely day, lanie

How wonderfully surprised

 I was today. 

This poster
was proudly on display
in a country town,

 in the window 

of the local news agency.
 Right near the entrance, 

hard to miss!

Two rallys in a row:
Silent March - 23rd
Marriage Equality - 24th.

Way to go!

lanie

PS: ... and I just noticed another poster on display!

G'day,

Check out the "Interesting links, blogs & sites" section on this blog.

I'm constantly updating it, so if you have any suggestions to add to this, please let me know.

Have a great day.

lanie

Please remember the Annual Silent March - Friday 23rd November 2012.

Wondering who received awards at SWOTY Awards last night in Perth.

Added some more links to blog, including another I set up recently called headARThands.

A way to share creative, artistic expression.

lanie

The 2012 Social Worker of the Year Awards are on tonight.

There's some excellent nominees in the various categories.

I look forward to knowing how it goes within the categories and over all for SWOTY 2012.

Attended in 2011 - excellent function for many reasons, including opportunities to:

• Celebrate social work.
• Catch up with colleagues, friends & acquaintances.
• Network.