We have all met
By Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson
We have all met “angry”, we all know that “angry” just makes life difficult; so, the tendency is to rush “angry” along and sigh with relief when “angry” lands on someone else’s case load.
A short conversation discovered that “angry” was not at all “angry” the “angry” was just a façade that was put in place to cover the confusion and the fear of the unknown requirements from the workers compensation system.
“angry” was looking for an exit from a myriad of turmoil, just needing a safe place to land and someone to listen and to explain and to put in place real frameworks that are visible and transparent at the same time.
“angry” wanted answers to questions, even the questions that “angry” didn’t fully know how to ask.
But most of all “angry” wanted somewhere to share good news and ideas and to matter to those who simply walking the same path as “angry” has been on.
While “angry” isn’t quite here, “angry” is on the right path towards finding out just what now is possible and what the real future looks like.
All that we have done at Craig’s Table is provide what is for the first time in far too long not just answers but also a commitment to walk and work with “angry”.
This morning there was bucket loads of tears, the type or tears that come from the bottom of a very broken person.
The tears were not in angst, the tears were of relief because for the first time in a very long time “angry” was trusted to manage and maintain a section of Craig’s Table. In truth it’s not a large section, but it is a very visible section.
My directions to “angry” was simple “make it yours, keep it neat and tidy, set it up as you want it to be in such a manner that when people walk through it they will see your smile.”
“angry” has sat in this section of Craig’s Table before this morning: it was possible to see the thoughts and concepts forming and if I was quick it was possible to catch that glimmer of who “angry” really is.
I will share photo’s over the coming weeks so that you can see when hope and support replace anger all manner of opportunities come into being.
Each of them will have a similar story and an all too familiar journey; and the process will start over again.
As for “angry” the prospect of building a team is just exciting and the responsibility sits well where those who created “angry” could never envisage responsibility forming.
We have all met “angry”, we all know that “angry” just makes life difficult; so, the tendency is to rush “angry” along and sigh with relief when “angry” lands on someone else’s case load.
It’s not that we personally know “angry”, it is just that “angry” is hard work. “angry” asks questions, “angry” wants real answers, and “angry” never goes away.
A few weeks back “angry” arrived at Craig’s Table.
A short conversation discovered that “angry” was not at all “angry” the “angry” was just a façade that was put in place to cover the confusion and the fear of the unknown requirements from the workers compensation system.
“angry” was looking for an exit from a myriad of turmoil, just needing a safe place to land and someone to listen and to explain and to put in place real frameworks that are visible and transparent at the same time.
“angry” wanted answers to questions, even the questions that “angry” didn’t fully know how to ask.
But most of all “angry” wanted somewhere to share good news and ideas and to matter to those who simply walking the same path as “angry” has been on.
There are so many within the injured worker community who fit into the description of “angry”, they go from one part of the workers compensation process to another part; they become more confused, they become even more isolated and they become even more fearful of the very system that is meant to be in place to help them.
For me the biggest frustration is that “angry” is common place, nothing has improved in the just over 2 decades that I became an advocate within the injured worker community.
The journey that “angry” described is one that I have heard and seen so many times.
The journey that “angry” described is one that I have heard and seen so many times.
While “angry” isn’t quite here, “angry” is on the right path towards finding out just what now is possible and what the real future looks like. All that we have done at Craig’s Table is provide what is for the first time in far too long not just answers but also a commitment to walk and work with “angry”.
This morning there was bucket loads of tears, the type or tears that come from the bottom of a very broken person.
The tears were not in angst, the tears were of relief because for the first time in a very long time “angry” was trusted to manage and maintain a section of Craig’s Table. In truth it’s not a large section, but it is a very visible section.
My directions to “angry” was simple “make it yours, keep it neat and tidy, set it up as you want it to be in such a manner that when people walk through it they will see your smile.”
When “angry” left at the end of the shift it really was not possible to put into words the smile that filled my office.
“angry” left with plans for all that is possible in the “chill out/catch up/barbecue area of Craig’s Table.
“angry” left with plans for all that is possible in the “chill out/catch up/barbecue area of Craig’s Table.
“angry” knows that this section of Craig’s Table is where so many happy memories are created, where nothing to do with workers compensation stories are told and real commitments to each other are made.
“angry” has sat in this section of Craig’s Table before this morning: it was possible to see the thoughts and concepts forming and if I was quick it was possible to catch that glimmer of who “angry” really is.
I will share photo’s over the coming weeks so that you can see when hope and support replace anger all manner of opportunities come into being.
Tomorrow another group of possible participants will come into Craig’s Table.
Each of them will have a similar story and an all too familiar journey; and the process will start over again.
As for “angry” the prospect of building a team is just exciting and the responsibility sits well where those who created “angry” could never envisage responsibility forming.
If you are ever in the neighbourhood drop in, Craig’s Table is something that you really do need to see.
Yours in service
Rosemary
Rosemary
SKYPE Rosemary2412
3rd April 2018
Great story Rosemary! We can all relate to "angry". Thank you for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Yvonne .
DeleteThe sad truth is angry is just a warm and wonderful person who gained a label when the forms that needed to be lodged did not make sense, so help was asked for and the person who should have taken a few moments to sit and go through the forms over-reacted (for a myriad of reasons) but instead terse words were spoken and a barrier was put in place that the injured worker has hide behind ever since and the label has gone from one report to another to another.
The mistake became the truth and the falsehood became the reality and "angry" took on the persona because it became the only protection that was possible.