Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Measurements of Success

By Charissa Manglona

For years, success was measured by the amount of money you made.  The more funds you had available, the more luxuries you could afford.  This type of approach towards reaching great success may have also required certain sacrifices...working long hours during the week and on weekends, limiting the amount of personal time.

In more recent years, the concept of creating a "work-life balance" has become more prevalent.  Recognizing the importance of having an income that creates comfortable living and still allowing for time to be spent with family, friends or participating in activities/hobbies, has weighed on many people's minds.

A year ago, I looked at the components in my life that influenced my sense of success, how successful I felt in those areas at that point, what would make me feel more successful, and decided on the journey that could get me there.  I recently reviewed my goals from the year prior and noted a tremendous amount of growth for me both personally and professionally.  By having my goals written down, I was excited to see the progress I had made and the transformation in my mind of feeling "successful".

This reflection prompted me to think of people with disabilities.  Their goals and components in their lives that influence their sense of success may be very similar to mine.  They may seek professional growth in their jobs and to establish strong working relationships with co-workers, colleagues, supervisors and senior management.  People with disabilities may desire to establish a balance with their involvement in activities, fostering relationships, and cultivating new networking opportunities.

Although the path that each of us takes to reach our goals may be different, three questions come to mind when measuring a sense of success:

Do you feel valued?
  • This could be through work (compensation/responsibilities/knowledge), by family members or community members.
Are you engaged/involved with others and are you gaining from your interactions?  
  • This is focusing on your relationships with others (work, personal, & community).
Are you happy and have a feeling of fulfillment?
  • This is looking at your life overall and each of the components involved in your life.

How do you measure your sense of success?

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Caregivers Deserve T.L.C. Too

Blog:  Week of 7/04/11

By Cathy Bisaillon

I admit that I used to down play the importance of respite for caregivers.  I likened it to the occasional babysitter that I used for my children, and I treated it as much more of a luxury than a necessity.

My first trip out to Easter Seals Camp Stand By Me changed my attitude forever.  It was a check-out day, where families and caregivers were picking up their children following a six-day session.  I remember one dad in particular; who I will call Mr. Camp.  “So, Mr. Camp,” I said. “How did you spend six days without having to worry about your son?  Did you and Mrs. Camp go to Hawaii or some exotic location?”  Mr. Camp’s mouth curled in a half-smile and he looked at me as if I had just fallen off the turnip truck.  “You don’t get it, Cathy.  This is the first break we have had in three years.  We took a nap, slept through the night, balanced our checkbook, and took our other son to a movie without having to leave the theater.”

Mr. Camp was right, I didn’t get it.  But I did from that point on.  Respite for a caregiver of a person with multiple needs is a life preserver.  It pulls them out of a continual cycle of tasks and worries and allows them to shore themselves up for what comes next.  All of the Easter Seals Washington programs provide respite in some form.  It is typically a hidden benefit, with the marketed service being child development, residential recreation, or employment.  It should not, however, be seen as a secondary benefit.  I am occasionally asked by our employees if we should provide respite for group home staff, as they are paid caregivers and may be “taking advantage” of our services.  Without blinking, I reply that we should embrace those opportunities, as the break that we give a routine caregiver may drastically improve his or her ability to patiently provide care.  Continual care-giving is exhausting, challenging, and often thankless.  I am not exaggerating when I say that respite services save lives and prevent abuse. 

We are all caregivers in some way at various times in our lives.  Our task is to recognize our limits, admit that we need a break, and to look for respite opportunities that will be mutually beneficial to ourselves and those we care for.  After we recharge our batteries, let’s remember to thank a caregiver – it may be just the shot in the arm he needs to get up tomorrow and start fresh.