Getting Better
Thursday, August 21, 2008 – 6:40 P.M. Somehow, I seem to have underestimated the value of my psychologist. When I went to see her yesterday, I had a list of three or more things that were bothering me. They were increasing my depression daily. The answers she gave to my concerns were so simplistic that I did not see why I had not figured them out myself. I had been worried about my niece moving to a townhouse or condominium that would not be accessible to me. My psychologist's answer was to talk with my niece about it. I was also worried about not getting enough pool therapy because of limits set forth by Medicare. Her answer to this was to have my doctor write another prescription for it. (I already know that if Medicare ever turns me down, my social worker is prepared to help me request an appeal.) A third thing was my concern about a new CNA that my home healthcare agency has assigned to help me. I have some serious questions as to whether he will work out. The answer here was that I get to make my own choices, which no one has had the right to do since I was a child. By the time I left her office, I felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders!
Replies
Oh, I so love those types of therapy moments. You\'ve just reminded me of one of mine, which made me feel grateful. Thanks for sharing, Jim.
I\'d be a little nervous to talk to the niece. I\'ll bet Weebs would know how to approach it. Or maybe you\'ve already figure it out with your therapist.
I told my therapist that would not talk with my niece, because in a sense, I really feel that it is none of my business where she moves. My therapist said she would bet anything that my niece will think about me before making any decisions.
Hmmm... will let the niece issue roll around in my head overnight.
Lots of space in there lately...
Gotta put on my Old Etiquette hat...
Hmmm... Is this the niece that was having a potential health problem last year? I think asking her about her move is ok, as long as the things that may need sensitivity on her end are respected. It is her/family\'s life after all.
Off the top of my Weebly cranium, I\'d ask her if you should start looking into any special assistance you might need to get into a structure that isn\'t wheelchair friendly. A portable ramp or something... Just make the inquiry kind of generic.
If she accuses you of fishing for info, fess up, blame me, and then just go for it and be direct with your feelings. Tactful, but direct.
That\'s all I have on needing sleep I can give you right now.
Hugs and Mojo to you Jim
Weebs
Or you could do what I do.
Get her in private and say, \'I don\'t know what the best way to ask this is, so I\'ll just ask, is where you\'re looking to move chair friendly?\'
If she says no, don\'t recoil.
We\'ll all help you figure something out.
I need sleep... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Weebs
That is also true Jim, your comment, which appeared while I was typing so I didn\'t see it.
However, you\'re asking because you enjoy going to see her and the events she holds. It\'s out of love and affection for her, so I think it would be ok, if handled with grace.
***mojo***
There is nothing wrong with speaking up about your issue with your niece\'s move. All in all, you are right. It is her business and her life choice that will be the deciding factor.
I am very glad to see that your current stress has been defused.
You are doing a great job.
PS - that color purple was really easy to read.