A fun story from last year
I work as a support worker with Autistic people, a job so rewarding in pleasure and fun that the money side of things is considered secondary. No really, this is the case.

Anyway, I was working with a client who was not only autistic but also has Downs, this results in some one who is classified as challenging, with the strong possibility of undiagnosed dementia dropped in too just to make their life even more fun. now try to imagine how confusing the world must be for them.

Being the senior carer for the day, I was preparing a meal and was busy, with the grill going and a frying pan on the hob. Quietly in the back ground was the radio gently burbling away. On this particular day, the client decided that no one in the house could have music on, not them, the other residents or even staff, but the poor soul had no way of communicating this. This caused a huge amount of frustration for them, especially as their life is pretty much run on music.

The client left their bedroom at a run and charged into the kitchen (remember, this is a shared house covered by care in the community, not a hospital or care home). I was given a quick beating and had to shout for help from other staff, who managed to drag the client away who was still feeling murderous. I was mildly burned on my arms from the hob and was dealing with that, when we noticed the smoke. Upon opening the grill, the chops were a cinder and the flames were actually quite pretty, looking like one of those fake coal fires that run on gas. With no sign of a damp cloth to cover the flames, I grabbed the burning grill tray and threw it out of the kitchen door and into the yard, to the horror of the other staff.

The clients had salad for dinner that night while the staff spent three hours filling in incident report forms! Best bit of cooking ever. just incase you feel that you have to ask, yes I do love my job, with all of its challenges, its quirks and its trips to the fun fair.
( Rev. Jayneflakes Buy my book, I need the cash for drugs and hookers, Wed 4 Jul 2012, 11:00, 3 replies)

I take my hat off to you,
but I simply can't comprehend how anyone can enjoy a job like that.

You're quite probably giving more than you take from life, which is admirable. I couldn't do that though.
(username failed moderation, Wed 4 Jul 2012, 11:10, closed)

i think it might just suit some people to work with people who need more support than most.
my job involves some grimness and some really troubling stuff but it's so so much better than working flipping burgers or as a farmer or a waiter or cleaning hotel bedrooms or in a cafe or as a hotel house porter or in a tile shop or stacking shelves or as a cleaner or in a laundry or as a kitchen fucking porter you know?

at least it is to me.


/took a while finding the right job
( tickle I was away, Wed 4 Jul 2012, 18:17, closed)

I wish I could get beaten up at work.
My inner bastard suspects that the ancient Greeks had the right idea.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Wed 4 Jul 2012, 12:04, closed)