I remain positive…
The news broke last night of ‘lockdown’ and I felt empty inside. Selfishly I thought about my impending move, I am about to begin a new chapter in my life and I felt doomed. I wondered how I would cope not being able to visit family and friends. Then the sensible part of me took over – this won’t last forever, it can’t.
I went out walking early this morning – 6 am. I saw a beautiful sky and heard the birds singing, I saw new lambs and muntjac. I returned home and drank coffee and ate toast, something I always find pleasurable early in the morning.
I drove to work and the sunrise took my breath away. The familiarity of my journey reassured me, the cars in the school car park reminded me of friends and colleagues who would most likely be feeling the same as me and I knew we would take care of each other. I went into school and I heard a printer printing, a kettle boiling, a ‘phone ringing, all the usual sounds of the morning. I felt a warmth inside, a reassuring warmth. Then I heard laughter, gentle voices, reassuring voices, friendly voices. My heart lifted.
In the midst of this confusion, this uncertainty and to some extent this feeling of dread and fear, life goes on because it has to. We are continuing to add enrichment to the lives of the people we support, offering them safety and security whilst being playful and giving ourselves in the best ways we can. We are being creative in our teaching and finding learning opportunities which work in a person centred way.
May we continue to support each other, talk to each other, be open and honest with our feelings to offer and seek reassurance. Let us continue to be kind to each other… always.
Kate Webb
Intensive Interaction Mentor, Senior Therapy Assistant, MacIntyre School
