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JCPSLP
Volume 18, Number 1 2016
Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
This Easter we caught up with my cousin and her husband
in a small country town. We shared many stories, had
meals together over a few glasses of wine and enjoyed the
serenity.
I love reading crime books, but I can get confused if there
are too many characters. I have started making notes on
the characters and how they relate to one another. I take
time out to lie on the hammock with a book and my dog.
Sometimes there is little reading. Usually there’s lots of
snoozing. At other times I don’t want to do anything and
that is okay with me.
7. Find a purpose or a new project
Joining a writing group has given me deeper understanding
of the structures which improve writing. I’m learning
through the comments and questions asked throughout the
lesson. Every year there is a competition which I
participated in last year. I was accredited with a
commended certificate.
I’m writing children’s stories. My daughter-in-law is
illustrating them. Two picture books are at the draft stage:
Animal School Antic, which is about bullying and Hoover
and the Princess, a story showing the behaviour of our
dogs.
I love to cook something special for friends and family,
but not for a crowd! It’s great to catch up over a meal. Also
the grandchildren love to cook when they stay with us.
They bake pizzas, biscuits or make play dough.
Ken and I work with the children in the workshop.
We both watch over them as there are sharp machines
and tools. They choose from a short list what they want
to make, which is: wooden race cars, jungle jeeps,
cheeseboards, etc. Interestingly, lots of family and friends
received a jarrah cheeseboard as a Christmas present.
Over time we will build up the list.
8. Stay connected with friends and family
Usually on Monday and Friday morning I walk with a friend
and our dogs. After the walk we have a coffee and the dogs
get a treat so they don’t feel left out.
Over the school holidays or on the weekend I try to catch
up with my teacher friends. We have great conversations
about the students and the staff we have worked with. My
sisters and I meet at someone’s house or at a cafe. Three
of my sisters live close by, which provides an opportunity
to stay in touch. Ken and I love to go out to dinner with our
friends.
Regularly we have family holidays. Our children,
grandchildren, Ken, and I have camped or shared a holiday
hut, always somewhere near the beach. This year we went
to Jurien Bay. Our twin grandchildren asked me if I wanted
to go skydiving. I had told them many years ago that
skydiving was on my bucket list. Their mum, my daughter,
the twins, and I had a tandem jump. It was fantastic! The
dads and grandad had the job of supervising the little ones
while the big girls experienced the freefall.
Recently I was pleased to be invited to my sisters-in-law’s
home to join their regular catch-up where a beautician-
hairdresser comes to her home to create miracles on us.
9. Identify your enablers
Ken is my highest and biggest strategy. Generally, Ken has
a part in most of the other strategies. He looks after me. He
is cabinetmaker. I’ve become his assistant. Learning to
work with wood has been great. Ken will show me how to
use the tools and machines. Some tasks are repetitive, like
getting the nails out of the recycled jarrah, but I’m happy to
would do the same. Face-to-face conversations, without
too much background noise, are preferred. Phone calls
are more successful when I have a script before calling a
business or a friend.
I carry two information cards in my handbag. They
explain my speech problem. One was created in the Gutsy
Girls Program. The card explains: to listen, give me time to
correct my speech and ask me questions about the topic.
The second card was provided by my neurologist. It has my
name, the diagnosis, and how that affects my speech. It
also includes the neurologist’s name and phone number to
call if there is a need for more information.
5. Know your limits and ways to reduce
stress levels
Learning to set limits keeps me healthy. We’ve many events
with our family; birthdays, babysitting, and watching sport
or concerts. I record these events on the calendar;
however, I don’t take it with me. When I’m called to babysit,
it’s always, “Yes!” Unfortunately, I’ve double booked. Now I
have my diary with me and I check before committing to
anything. Being organised helps to reduce my stress levels.
Completing my Masters was a priority. I enjoyed the
readings and open conversations at university. The
researching was thought-provoking. Presenting my theory to
the lecturer and the class of students become embarrassing
due to my speech. Finding time to finish assignments was a
struggle. Although resigning was the right choice for me, it
was upsetting. Similarly, it was hard to give up teaching
after thirty years, but sometimes I love a sleep-in, especially
on a school day. I am still interested in teaching. When I
catch-up with my teacher friends, I join in the teacher talk.
Christmas is my favourite celebration. For many years
Ken’s family gather on Christmas night. One of his sisters
or I will host the dinner. Recently, the sisters have handed
over hosting to their children. It is time for us to follow suit. I
realise organising is hard work and stressful.
Also I have set limits for driving. Recently, I decided not
to drive to Perth on my own. The communication group
was held in Perth. The first week, I drove while Ken sat
nervously in the passenger’s seat, but he couldn’t let me
go on my own. I was pleased with my driving even though
going through the city was a challenge. Now, when both
of us are going to Perth, we share the driving. On some
occasions when Ken isn’t available, I’ll catch the train, and
ask a friend to pick me up from the station.
6. Give yourself permission to do the
things you enjoy
Ken and I have a dingy. We have fabulous times out in the
estuary and the rivers. When the weather is right, we go
crabbing or fishing. Our family love to join us on those
occasions.
We go walking with our dog. Over the last few months,
we have been looking after a friend’s dog. If we’re out of
bed there will be grunting that rises to barking. The dogs
know the routine, feeding and walking. It’s wonderful to
have an important reason to walk every day. The dogs are
teaching me to be content with a simple life.
Gardening is wonderful when the pests stay away.
Ken and his son have set up a vegetable garden in our
backyard. I am the gardener, although I’m reminded
to water the vegies or what to plant. I love to share the
produce.
Ken and I take time to just relax. Last year in October we
went to Bali to unwind and be pampered with massages.