Published on 12, July, 2020
I work as a volunteer in a Residential Home that is permanent or semi permanent residence to 6 people who have fairly severe Autism problems.
I have a lovely wife Tricia and a son and daughter, a dog called Poppy who is a nightmare and now live in East Yorkshire [Humberside]
I am 64 years old and really enjoy working with all the residents at the home. My title is 'Befriender' so my 'job' is t take them out from the home in my car and visit places that they have a particular interest in. I really love my job.
In the past, I was an engineer for BT working on Telephone Exchanges so a bit of a 'techie', made redundant I then worked for Thames Water in their Water Quality Laboratory but unfortunately the IRA blew the lab up and I left to join an Internet Company where I got heavily involved in training. When Demon Internet was sold on I became a Tutor in an FE college training school leavers in Electrical and Electronic work, when my health failed a bit I joined LightSpeed IT solutions in Maldon Essex as a training coordinator as a very part time employee. In 2012 I retired as could not cope with the work situation at all.
So, apart from being on the receiving end of the care system, I did not have any qualification for my volunteer job that I do now.
BUT I am working on it. I have now completed a level2 course in Counselling and working on a level 2 Understanding Autism as well as doing a Continual Professional Development course on Alzheimer's disease.
I should have L plates fitted on my front and back :-)
Anyway, for what it is worth, that is me.
Hello there Palbus. You do sound like a very successful person indeed. No need for L plates you seem to have it cracked mate.
I did two courses in counselling about 15 years ago before I realised I was suffering from emotional deprivation and ASC. I really struggled with the core principles of empathy, congruence, and unconditional love. It is only recently I have had this pointed out to me.
This example conveys exactly where I failed. In a lecture on psychology the lecturer was describing counselling psychology and the core principles and I put forward the comparison between that and prostitution in that both offer "love for money". That went down like a lead balloon with the mostly female members of the course. Love was never a concept I understood during my upbringing and I confused that with sex most of my life until recently. I am sure you would not make the same dreadful mistake. :) I am still embarrassed about it.
Your contributions on here will be welcome as you progress through the Understanding Autism course. I look forward to reading more from you. Take care and good luck with your courses, I am sure you will pass with flying colours, Laddie
Laddie49 Thank you for your greeting it is most appreciated. The courses are Government sponsored and the Education system does tend to push and rush me a lot. They are always nagging for assessment question answers :-(
I am trying to keep up though... honest :-)
My big hang up is confidence, I can get really anxious sometimes, still, I am finding what I am doing very worthwhile now so I will put up with those feelings as it is worth it.
Take Care Buddy!