Shaking in my đź‘ź C1
The threatening moment when your client decides they want to threaten you. I get it, you’re not happy with what I am about to make you do, I cant help but laugh sometimes. Don’t get me wrong these have turned into some serious bruises on my shins but hey lets be real they can be comical at times. Moving forward to my experiences…
C1 we will call them. Long ago I was working with a client who most of the time was nice and easy going. C1 was very independent and didn’t need much help but could not be alone. One day as I was doing dishes right after breakfast and C1 wanted to go outside. Although there was already a plan in place to go outside, C1 was extremely impatient this day. A little out of the norm but it was early spring so it was nice out. Due to steps it was unsafe for C1 to go out alone, and being it was difficult to go up and down the steps I suggested we go to the bathroom first, as to avoid having to come back for the normal bathroom schedule that was in about 30 min.
I guide C1’s walker towards the bathroom and when we get there C1 says No.. We all know the No.. As I am standing in front of C1’s walker C1 starts ramming it into my legs. “Am I going to have to knock you down?” C1 asks. “Move outa my way! I’m not not doing that, I don’t have to.” Meanwhile I’m holding my ground. C1 is holding theirs while I am doing my best to get C1 to cooperate. Nothing is working as C1 continues to ram my shins with the walker and the repetitive statements of “Am I going to have to knock you down? Move outa my way! I’m not not doing that, I don’t have to.”
I feel bad at this point because this is what is going through my head—
I know I am stronger then you.
I am definitely bigger then you.
You’re going to forget in 5 min that this even happened.
Please Try Me!!
(These are my honest thoughts please don’t come at me!)
Finally I have had enough of trying to convince C1 that it was a good idea to at least try to use the bathroom, and let them through the hall to the next room. I say okay lets exercise our legs and I have C1 walk around the room so they can get readjusted. We then head to the next room, again keep in mind I am guiding C1 by holding the front of the walker to lead them. We go back through the hall and I stop in front of the bathroom door. “C1 how about we try and use the bathroom so we can go outside to enjoy the beautiful sunshine?”, I say. Of course this time they are cooperative. Task is completed and outside we went.
I find it entertaining when the clients don’t want to argue with you about something like you don’t know what is best or what their normal routine or schedule is. Being able to come through these moments without getting overwhelmed and frustrated can easily be achieved if you look at it from a comical point of view. Remember we are on their time. They are paying for us to be of service and it is our job to provide them with a safe and calm demeanor to keep them comfortable even if we may not be.
What moments have you experienced that you would like to share?