Becoming a social worker was not the plan I had for my life. As I have often said, I backed into the career totally blind to the mission of Child Welfare. I might not have ever found my calling had not DHS been the only agency hiring. Graduating college as an English major, my choices … Continue reading The Parable
I have a Story to Tell: Daniel
* I am starting a series of stories crafted through the eyes of people with whom I have met over the last 30 years in Social Work. The purpose of these posts are to highlight the difference a good social worker can make in the lives of others and to remind them (when they are … Continue reading I have a Story to Tell: Daniel
And also the Others
May is National Foster Month. Designated such by President Reagan in 1988 to bring awareness to the needs of children in foster care. Children who were unable to live safely with their parents necessitating their entry into a broken foster care system. Foster Children often enter care with scars; some are physical, some are emotional … Continue reading And also the Others
Surviving the Tornado
The Tornado Hits Moody, Al. It was April 27, 2011. The meteorologists had been predicting an afternoon full of dangerous weather. We were repeatedly warned of a significant tornado outbreak. Having never been a fan of bad weather, I decided to monitor the situation very closely starting at noon. So as I went to bed … Continue reading Surviving the Tornado
But what can I do?
Most social workers know the analogy of the old man and the starfish. As the story goes: a young woman, jogging along the sea shore, stopped when she came across a strange scene. The beach, she observed, was covered with starfish, having been thrust upon the sand by violent waves. Unable to live outside of … Continue reading But what can I do?
A New Beginning?
Sharon examined the purplish black bruising under her right eye. Gingerly, she tried to dab on her Cover Girl concealer, but winced and drew back from the pain. No tears fell. She had learned long ago that it never helped. Actually, this time was not so bad: a bruise or two, a small cut on … Continue reading A New Beginning?