The River had a fountain
Of sparkling water
Gushing at speed
Glistening in the bright sunlight
Brilliant
I could hardly believe it
Going from an occupational therapy helper
to a finally qualified therapist
With a Degree
It was a spurt of energy never experienced before
There were rocks
The hidden ones were the worst
Sad to say
some of the senior occupational therapists
It was a really strange experience
I felt unconnected
Adrift
in the maelstrom of uncertain times
I had returned to my original place of work
where I had been a support worker
I had changed
The relationships were strained
I felt alienated
The old psychiatric hospital was closing
I read that going back to your old place of work
may not work out….
but I had signed
a contract
I had no choice
Leaving the hospital as it closed gave me driftwood
to clamber aboard
A new half time post
Working in the community
where my half time role was valued
there was a brilliant manager
who quietly & robustly supported me
Carefully negotiating new streams
Finding diffrent modes of swimming
Occasionally gasping for breath
I had worked with many people in the old hospital
but this was new
The rocks were sharp and painful at times
leaving deep sadness for a long time…..
but the driftwood picked me up
the rehabilitation unit was a brilliant slow stream service
Catherine McNulty
Inspired in part by The KAWA (river) model Michale K. Iwama (2005)
References
Iwama M. (2005) The Kawa (river) model. (pg.213-227). In Kronenberg F, Algado SS, Pollard N. Eds Occupational Therapy without borders: Learning from the spirit of survivors. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. Edinburgh.