It occurred to me today that I have too many stories to tell. In my over 20 years of working with the public in social service and now legal service capacities I have accumulated a lot of stories. Many people have said to me, "You just like the stories," when I've kept them hostage telling them how hectic a day I had. And yes, I do like people and everyone has a story, I'm just lucky that in my line of work I get to share in their story for a period of time.
I was just telling my secretary that many of my Spanish speaking clients do not know how to read or write. They don't tell me that they don't know how to read or write, it's after years of working with this community that I understand the subtle hints they give me that tell me "hey, don't ask me to fill out this form or read this contract because I don't know how to read or write." They stare at the documents blankly and after what they think is an adequate amount of time they tell me "oh, can you just tell me what it says so that I can make sure I understand it." or "ok, I think it's ok, I need to trust you right." That is when I have to go through each paragraph and explain to them what it says or tell them they can take it home and bring it back another time. So, I am very grateful that I do know how to read and write and that I can tell you stories that I couldn't make up if I tried.
Some of these stories are funny, like the time one of my counseling clients told the group that he was so high "he jumped out of the first floor window - but naked - because he thought GI JOE was after him." The jump was what lead him into my counseling group.
Some of these stories are scary, like the time my client fell asleep on the toll road, in the middle lane with his foot on the brake, because he was drunk.
Some of them are sad, like when my client moved 15 miles away from where she lived but in doing so was in another state and therefore in violation of a court order which lead the Judge to order immediate custody of her 3 minor children to their father.
There are so many stories - your story, my story, someone else's story. We can laugh, cry, learn, teach, and do so much with one another's stories. This blog will be about sharing stories. I hope you share some of yours or those that you know of that are someone else's. We can talk about anything; and not have to make any of this stuff up!
This is a great blog, I am so happy to see that you are sharing these important stories hat we see in our lives. So many people would think that we are making them up. Yes, there are people who cannot read and will not admit it. I have had clients stare at a document in their language and simply sign away their rights. When asking my client to read out loud what he signed, there was this complete look of embarrassment. My question, why did you stare at it for 10 minutes and then sign it without asking? their answer, "I don't know." For whatever its worth, I was this client's advocate. The same happens in police stations, where people are taken advantage of and admit to crimes they did not commit. It is crazy and people need to know. Good job my friend, lets keep the public informed!
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher I see this so often. . I've learned to ask up front. . Letting them know is okay and there are services available to them to help them. .. I'm glad to say many of them do go to learn to read and write and some have even gotten their GED.. Monicas tia has done some fabulous work in my district. ..
ReplyDeleteYes. It happens all too often.
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