Beginning with gratitude
As I sit down to write my first blog post, there is a part of me that is excited to communicate with my community… There is also another part of me that feels uneasy as I have never written a blog before. I have so many topics I want to cover to help share resources, educate, and foster connection so those of us who live with chronic illness, chronic pain, and trauma know we are not alone.
I am, however, going to start my blog series instead with gratitude.
I have had the privilege of being shaped as a professional and a person by some wonderful people. It has taken me years, but I now have a team that supports my health, so I am in a position to be able to give back to my community. So firstly, thank you to my husband and my friends who have been supportive and patient as I have navigated what has been a life-changing series of events. To my massage therapist Belinda, acupuncturist Lori-Ellen, and GPs Georgina, Michael and Carolyn, thank you for supporting me to live in a difficult body.
To the social workers who have inspired my practice, thank you. To Lorna Hallahan who taught me to examine my thinking, embed reflexivity in my practice, and explore the options when facing ethical challenges (not just the options that immediately come to mind). These skills continue to be important parts of my practice but were especially important whilst I was working in the hospital system and ultimately helped shape my decision to leave. To Johanna Malcolm, thank you for centralising the importance of community and groups in social work practice and being my mentor – your ability to pose a simple question that invokes deep reflection still astounds me and I am very grateful for the support and ways in which you have challenged me. To Chris Reynolds and Roberta Baruzzi, your passion and skill in educating were not lost on me. You both simply inspired me to work in mental health and know that I can make a positive impact on the lives of the people with whom I work by walking alongside them on their journey. Rebecca and Simon Paul, hearing you speak at the Adelaide Trauma Centre allowed me to know I was amongst ‘my people’, and to hear your genuine compassion, care and kindness towards those you work with left me with joy knowing that there are other practitioners out there who think and feel as I do. I am very excited to be joining Fleurieu Counselling and Wellness and look forward to helping people heal.
As I reflect on those who have shaped me, I wonder if you can bring to mind those who have shaped your journey. Maybe now is the right time to reach out with gratitude.