It occurred to me the other day that I have yet to write
about my job…as in my actual profession.
For those of you who don’t know me personally, it may come as quite a surprise
that, in the real world, I have a career….as opposed to sitting around in the
river every day drinking a variety of cocktails while blogging about the
hilarity that is my life. Shocking, I
know.
I have what is arguably one of the best jobs ever. I’m a pediatric physical therapist. I spend my days jumping around, playing and
interacting with some of the coolest kids on the planet. They are interesting and beautiful and
challenging, and I have spent the past 14 years being blessed and humbled and
taught by them and their families. I can
treat adults, and do, on occasion. But I
prefer to treat children, and am much better at it. I’ve worked in every setting of pediatric
therapy – NICU, inpatient, outpatient, home health, schools and ECI. It’s the perfect fit for me. I’ve decided to list why, for your reading
pleasure. Let’s do this job
application/interview style, shall we?
My strengths:
1.
High energy/tons of movement
2.
Very animated and dramatic
3.
Humor – pretty much everything has the potential
to be funny in my world.
4.
I love people.
I really love kids.
5.
Mercy is in my top three spiritual gifts.
6.
I can sing anything – and by that, please don’t
think I am bragging in and American Idol “you can sing the phone book”
way. I mean I literally can sing my way
through an entire conversation. Or
day. I’m like a walking musical.
7.
I can dance anywhere. Please reference above note about
singing. Same rules apply.
My weaknesses:
1.
Math – my lack of skill in this area is as
legendary as it is frightening. In this
job, I never have to count past ten. No
lie! We get to ten, I say, “Next set!”
and we start again. Plus, it’s
kids. Half of them skip six anyway. It’s perfect!
2.
Computer skills – beyond e-mail and
documentation software, I don’t have to function much in this area. Thank goodness, because I’m really bad at
it. I bought a new laptop the other day,
and about halfway through the sale, the very nice Best Buy employee who was
helping me just stopped asking questions about features and software
additions. I think he got tired of
watching me blink at him. And he was
running out of non-awkward ways to move on and skip over my lack of intelligent
responses.
3.
Issues with distractibility – I don’t know that
we need to elaborate on that one.
In the true manner of a successful job application, we’ll
stop there. Note how many more strengths
than weaknesses I have. Yes, I do
remember Resume 101.
I’m in the process of changing from an outpatient clinic to
home health as we attempt to calm our schedule a little (ha!) and give me more flexibility
and time with kids (and writing). So, my
last several weeks have involved ridiculous amounts of paperwork as I wrap up
all documentation and bang out as many evaluations and re-evaluations as
humanly possible before my last day. It
is killing me. I cannot sit at a
computer and type this much on forms and specific software! I signed on for a gig
that involves lots of movement and bursts of explosive energy. There are not enough meds or meditation
techniques out there to set me up for success in this area. How do people in office and administrative
jobs do this day in and day out? If I
wanted a career that involved copious paperwork, I would be a lawyer. Then, I would expect this kind of screen and
writing time. Plus, I’d make a lot more
money. And get to shout out cool phrases
like, “You can’t handle the truth!” at random intervals. How awesome would that be?
It’s not that I don’t like to write. Hello….aspiring writer here. It’s just that report after report of medical
data and terminology is so boring. It’s a pretty universal fact that the best
PTs (especially in pediatrics) tend to have the not-so-best documentation. I must be amazing.
Did I mention the part about how I sing my way through a
work day?
There are actually days where my co-workers will kick me out
of the documentation room. Apparently,
they don’t need my original soundtracks during their note writing time. To each her own, I guess.
All levity and complaints aside, though, I have to take a
moment to send out my love and admiration to all the mothers and fathers and
siblings and grandparents and family members and loved ones who have a child
with special needs and abilities in their lives. I don’t care if that child is 2 or 82…..kudos
and compliments to all of you. You walk
a path that few can fathom and even fewer can shine through, and you do it with
grace and dignity and laughter and love, even on days when the laughter is
quieter than the tears. I am honored
that you have let me treat your children over the years. They fill my heart and bless my life. I am a better person for knowing you, your
stories, your triumphs and frustrations.
It is my privilege to work with you and walk with you, to laugh with you
and cry with you. You humble and inspire
me.
My healer’s heart and artist’s soul are so grateful for a
role that fits me like this one. I can combine
my strengths and weaknesses into work that overtly matters and makes an obvious
difference. It is a calling and a
ministry. It is passion and talent and
giving of myself wholly into what God has put me here to do. I don’t always do the best job seeing His
plan. I lose my clarity more often than
I’d like to admit. I flounder and fluster
and fret way more than I should.
Then I remember how clearly I see this area of my life, and
it reminds me of His promise….that I have a purpose and He has a plan. Every day.
Every way. In every aspect of my
existence. All I have to do is listen. And follow.
As do we all.
Solidarity, sisters.
Just breathe. We’ve got this.
:)
ReplyDelete