It's My Turn
I met Yvonne shortly after she had seen a horrific event. I provided debriefing and support. This was the beginning of our relationship.
In the months to follow, I began meeting regularly with Yvonne. Through occupational therapy, we discussed strategies to improve her sleep and to help with her mental health symptoms. We also talked about relationships and communication as well as anger management, issues many of our guests struggle with.
During the past year, Yvonne was working towards her GED. As she struggles with anxiety and concentration, I provided strategies and wrote letters requesting accommodations for her exam. I worked closely with the Education department to make sure supports were in place for a successful experience when she wrote the exam.
Yvonne progressed from sleeping on the mats to moving into our Step Up Housing to moving into an apartment. Her health has improved as well as her sleep patterns. Today, she is still living in the apartment, she wrote and passed the GED exam, and she is enrolled in a college program starting in January.
Our relationship grew to the point that she felt comfortable, and even excited, to share her artwork with me. She even asked for feedback on how to improve her art. Her artwork became a strategy to calm her and to provide focus.
Yvonne was honoured at the Celebration of Lifelong Learning for completing her GED. We asked the photographer to take our picture. She put her arm around me for the picture. As I recently broke my elbow, I was unable to put my arm around her and told her so. She responded by saying, “It’s my turn to put my arm around you.” I will never forget that moment. What an honour to journey together with someone!
By Patti Plett, Occupational Therapist at the Mustard Seed
