Let me just start by saying that I am LOVING my decision to follow speech-language pathology. Yes since graduate school there have been some weeks where I question my decision (e.g., like when my little client is sick, coughing literally in my face refusing to do an activity I worked extra hard on or when professors schedule big exams right after a break) BUT overall I know I am exactly where I should be right now.
Anywho....I literally just got back into town from a (no laughs) Speech Convention in Fort Worth. A convention where 4,000'ish speech-pathologists get together to reconnect with old friends/professors, get continuing education hours, pick up LOTS of free stuff, interview for jobs, buy fun new materials, etc...
Oh did I mention the free stuff?? It was ridiculous! I brought one bag and left with 4. I'm now sitting in my room overwhelmed. I honestly won't have to buy an ink pen for the next 4 years (unless I manage to lose them like Haley loses our coffee mugs?). Just glancing in my bag..... chip clips, ink pens, highlighters, a mouse pad, hand sanitizer, a crazy cool yo-yo (aka a "fidgit" in the speech world. Because sometimes kids need soemthing to "fidgit" with while in therapy....HA!), pumpkin mask, clown nose...and the list goes on. That being said.....I am officially a speech NERD! I said it, NERD.
Anywho....I literally just got back into town from a (no laughs) Speech Convention in Fort Worth. A convention where 4,000'ish speech-pathologists get together to reconnect with old friends/professors, get continuing education hours, pick up LOTS of free stuff, interview for jobs, buy fun new materials, etc...
Oh did I mention the free stuff?? It was ridiculous! I brought one bag and left with 4. I'm now sitting in my room overwhelmed. I honestly won't have to buy an ink pen for the next 4 years (unless I manage to lose them like Haley loses our coffee mugs?). Just glancing in my bag..... chip clips, ink pens, highlighters, a mouse pad, hand sanitizer, a crazy cool yo-yo (aka a "fidgit" in the speech world. Because sometimes kids need soemthing to "fidgit" with while in therapy....HA!), pumpkin mask, clown nose...and the list goes on. That being said.....I am officially a speech NERD! I said it, NERD.
Blah, blah, blah.....all the free stuff isn't why I am inspired though. It is because of the opening session with Dr. Patch Adams. Yup, Patch Adams himself people. I really didn't go into the session with many expectations but he had my full attention for the 1.5 hours (which is not the norm for me). If his words didn't grab everyone's attention his outfit did. He wore a gray/blue ponytail down to his hips, a fork earring, rubber duck tie, bright patterned shirt, rainbow clown capri pants, tall mismatched socks, and a red clown nose. Did I mention that this is an EVERYDAY outfit for him?? He travels around 300 days of the year speaking to groups and loving on people. Literally everywhere he goes whether in the states, another country, an airplane, an elevator....he wants to love on people. He said life is too short and humanity too important not to. If conversation doesn't come naturally with someone, he said his outfit always seems to help with that.
During the opening session he talked about how we so desperatly need to put the "Care" back in "Health Care." Here is a summary of what he is all about ...
- Laughter, joy and creativity are an integral part of the healing process and therefore true health care must incorporate such life.
- Dr. Adams adds to his training as a physician, his experience as a street clown.
- In working with health and mental health professionals, he explores the relationship between humor and therapy using his unique blend of knowledge, showmanship and hands on teaching techniques.
- Says Dr. Adams, I interpret my experience in life as being happy. I want, as a doctor, to say it does matter to your health to be happy. It may be the most important health factor in your life
Laughter, Joy, Creativity....Ummmm sign me up!
The idea of loving people isn't new to me....as a follower of Christ it is something I am called to do. It was just totally awesome to hear a very well-known speaker tell 4,000'ish people to start living self-less and LOVE people! How crazy cool would it be if even 1/4 of the speech-pathologists in attendence apply it?? We interact with people all the time....soooo many lives could be impacted. I just don't believe someone can have that much joy without Christ! And people are going to ask. They are going to want to know what you have that they don't. Then it's your time to shine baby. You have already been helping them physically....and now the door opens to help them spiritually.
Speech pathology...it is something that I love, something that I've invested a lot of time in...and I can use it to touch lives. I am inspired.
To-do list:
1. watch patch adams
2. live self-less this week
3. find a place to store all my free junk
4. run off the awesome peanut M&M's consumed on road trip (totally worth it)
5. buy a fork earring
6. buy hummus
Not-to-do list:
1. Set my alarm (the goal is to sleep as long as my body allows in the morning)
2. Unpack bags (considering I'll need them again in 6 days)
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