Direct Care Chronicles: Laughing Our Way Through Unexpected Challenges
By: Amanda Pederson - ACR Homes employee
*The name of the resident in this story has been changed in order to maintain confidentiality. They will be referred to as "Alfie".
It was a summer day and I was working a morning shift as a Direct Care Professional. I was quite new to the job and hadn't been on many outings with the residents I provided care for yet. I decided it was the perfect day to do so. Knowing that Alfie was a "Super America gas station aficionado" (because of the soda and donuts they kept in stock), I packed up our bags, helped him buckle up in my car, and off we went to get a little morning treat. Pulling out of the driveway, we rolled down the windows and waved goodbye to the other staff, who called out "good luck!" with a curious smile on their face. I wondered, "Good luck? Why would I need luck?" And shrugged it off as we drove away.
When we arrived at the gas station, I put the car in park and helped Alfie unbuckle his seat belt. That's when I knew what the other staff meant by "good luck". Alfie immediately flung open the car door of my good ole Grand Prix and briskly walked to the entrance of his beloved Super America gas station. If there was somewhere he wanted to be, it was here. What I didn't yet know was the "battle" I was about to fight. It was a war over glorious caffeinated soda, coveted gas station straws, and big beautiful donuts. Knowing I was unprepared for the interaction, Alfie looked back at me trailing behind him, looked forward, and broke out in a full sprint to the soda machine. Bewildered by his pace, I staggered behind him attempting to catch up, not sure why we were running. With a quick swipe, Alfie maneuvers the supersized cup over to the soda machine, boxed me out as if we were playing a basketball game in the NBA, and hit the button for the cherished and valued caffeinated Coca-Cola. If it hasn't already been implied, Alfie naturally possessed a copius amount of fun loving energy as it was, and we all knew that caffeine free soda was what was recommended.
While I'm pleading with Alfie to allow me to help him find the caffeine free Coca-Cola, and trying to position myself around him to do so, he effortlessly moves to the lid section, slaps a lid on and proceeds to happily let out a big, "YEAHHHH, BIG POP, BIG POP!" for all of the gas station patrons to hear. At this point, my focus is totally derailed, and I begin belly laughing at the level of excitement and enthusiasm he's experiencing. I'm sure others around us were wondering what could possibly be so exciting about a big pop, but I know exactly why Alfie is so enthused with his prize. He quickly strides to the straws, proceeds to grab multiple handfuls of the brown little coffee straws that clearly are not needed for his fountain soda and stuffs them in his pockets as if they were treasure. At this point he lets out another victory cry as he walks toward the donuts.
The same battle ensued over the amount of donuts Alfie preferred to have. At this point I finally know what to anticipate. I was able to curb the donut swiping and proceeded to retrieve the biggest one I could find from the case. Alfie was not upset about getting just one donut, but enthused by the size. He began fist pumping and bellowed "YEAH BIG DONUT, YEAH BIG POP!" I couldn't help but join in the enthusiasm and laughed for a long time. Who doesn't love the little things in life? As we approached the checkout to pay for our items, Alfie offered happy "THANK YOUs" to anyone who would listen including the cashier and other gas station patrons. I giggled again, loving his zest for life and gave him a big hug.
With a smile plastered on my face, we drove home to find the veteran staff waiting in the driveway for us. She wore a knowing smirk. With a sparkle in her eye she casually asked, "so how'd it go?" Grinning from ear to ear, I told her the tale.
I was told that working at ACR Homes would be fun, but I didn't realize how much I would laugh and learn. What could be perceived as a challenge was a moment to laugh, care, and bond. I wouldn't have it any other way.