In my previous blog I wrote about how Rommel, from Bluefields, quite unexpectedly became the 7th core member of our community. How are things with him and us two weeks on? And do we all adapt to the new situation?
Changes needed to be made to our work schedule to accommodate Rommel and to redistribute work loads: Who will be showered when? How do we incorporate the fact that some members need more support than others? How do we give appropriate attention to everyone without overburdening our staff? It’s a bit like solving a jig saw puzzle with the entire team.
Rommel is fairly independent as he has most of the skills needed for his daily life. But his mobility is so poor that he has difficulty dressing himself, especially with smaller and tighter garments.
Our way of working
During the first week we tried to minimize the demands on Rommel so that we could see what he is able to do on his own and how much initiative he takes. But we made a special effort to get him used to the rhythm of our house, especially meal and bed times. Fortunately this has not been a problem so far, as his usual bed time was similar to the ones we use.
Before Rommel arrived we had already put down on paper all the information that Rommel’s aunt had given us about him, which helped everyone not to have to re-invent the wheel. During the first six weeks we observe closely (and record) what we see, for example ‘What does he enjoy?’, ‘How does he respond to what?’, ‘What he is able to do without help in different situations?’ He is somewhat articulate, so he’s able to answer certain questions. But sometimes he gives an answer that suits him, so we need to distinguish between what’s real and true and what is not. At the end of the six weeks (end of June) we will evaluate everything and then we will draw up a plan for him. We call this a ‘synthesis’, drawn up by the team as a whole, although a mentor will carry overall responsibility for him. It’s likely I will become Rommel’s mentor.
How has he been faring so far?
Rommel has lived his whole live in Bluefields, near his family. But in the last months a cousin had been looking after him which had unsettled Rommel who became quite depressed. We also noticed his tendency to depression at Ruach. The first days were a ‘honeymoon’ period: he was joyful, showed his heart-warming smile while doing activities, and enjoyed being in Juigalpa. This changed after about a week when he kept saying he wanted to go back to Bluefields as he did not enjoy himself. He could not be persuaded otherwise, and his tensions rose resulting in a few moments of aggression towards others. This caused a stir for our employees who had never experienced this kind of behaviour in our community before. After two days I called Rommel’s aunt to get her advice, knowing that she was no stranger to Rommel in such a frame of mind. She said she would quickly send medication to Juigalpa which would help him. Through friends I was also able to independently check this through a psychiatrist who asked a lot of probing questions and then recommended to increasing the dose of medication which Rommel was already taking. Matters are under control for the time being, but staff need to be super alert.
Visit
A few days later we were visited by Rommel’s uncle from Bluefields who, on his way to Managua, dropped by to deliver clothes, Rommel’s radio and watch, and indeed his medication. Rommel cheered up from the visit, and enjoyed having his watch and his radio which he well knows how to use (with ear phones) . Funnily, the alarm clock of his watch was still set for 5:00 a.m, so the next morning he was already out in the garden at that time. This ‘problem’ was solved by me instructing someone to re-set the alarm to 6 a.m.
Time will tell
So far we are moderately optimistic about Rommel’s process of adjustment. We feel supported by various members of Rommel’s family and a family friend. They call our Home once a week to talk to him and us. This gives us a sense of team work to help Rommel to feel at home within our community as soon as possible.
We are not there yet. His moods vary. But we learn every day, from him and as a team, how best to work with him, which is pure gain. We’re open to what every new day brings. An exciting process!