be-musings

I've mentioned briefly before that my primary job is administration for a non-profit which matches the services of self employed contractors with businesses who require such services. Reading the stories of the contractors sometimes makes me thankful for what I have. Most of our contractors have chronic health issues. The illnesses range from diabetes which had been out of control but now is manageable to cerebral palsy or being quadriplegic. Some people have to modify their environment and work hours in order to accommodate their health needs, and others are in a positive health cycle, needing no modification. A couple contractors have no health issue at all, but that's a fairly new experience.
My job is multi-faceted. I design forms, email/phone contractors and business clients, filter through applications, perform reference checks, interview contractors, assist our marketer/program consultant, try to keep the website information current and pass the information to the programmer...well, you get the idea. Lots of different things in one part-time job. It keeps me busy.
Over the last few months I have read about and spoken to people of all walks and situations. Most of them have had scary "close calls" with their health, and most of them are on the bottom end of the income scale because of it. Some people used to be successful professionals to whom big players on major corporations owe their careers. But trauma has rendered some of these people to be a shadow of their former selves.
I've met people who had success as is defined by title and income and reputation. One moment in time it changed because of a stroke, heart attack or accident. Life then became about existing and pain management. About how to get to the doctor for the next visit or how long they would have to stay confined in the hospital, for 5th time that month. Depression and anxiety often accompany the illnesses. The most confident people turned fearful of driving, of meeting people, of having to meet any performance standards. They work through some of the anxiety to become ready to work again. They long to work and to be "normal" again. They don't want to stay at home waiting and thinking and fearing. Most of them do a great job. Some others decide it's too early for them.
Through this I am reminded that one second in time and I could be the same way. I could have a brain injury or heart attack or tumor or aneurism. So could you. Now that's not to infect you with fear or panic or have you jump to the worst case scenario. That's to make you thankful. For I have also found out via some people that anyone can be thankful for "small mercies". Things could be way worse than they are. It's tough sometimes, but possible most of the time. Another thing I would like you to see is the possibility of a determined person. It's tough to overcome some odds and it might take a while, but in some way it can be done. Maybe not restoration to what was, but an adjustment and building to what is.