Inge Volleberg writes about a recent experience her sister had.
Picture this: My sister Esther at the door, wrapped in a scarf and gloves, with her umbrella in hand, and her hair in an up-do. Ready to go out to dinner with her former support worker.
Only the dinner was cancelled. And instead of letting Esther know herself, the former support worker asked current staff to tell her. Which the colleague forgot…
There are many things I would like to tell service providers.
Today, it is this: Know the important role you play in the lives of the people you support.
Esther is on her 4th personal support worker since moving in 2 years ago. She is, understandably, gutted every time a support worker leaves.
Every time, she has to connect with a new person again. The person she is supposed to tell her biggest troubles. The person she should trust fully.
Opening herself up again and again.
And we understand: Lives change, jobs change, things change. But know what you leave behind, who you leave behind.
Esther was so happy that this former support worker wanted to grab a dinner with her. The date was set for weeks.