I love my JOB!

Since May I have been working as an Activity Technician at a developmental center. I have been able to do the most fun and rewarding things in this job! We took individuals to the track and field and bocce ball Special Olympics, we have dances every week with people from the community, we are getting trained in equine therapy, I went to a puppy barn, and we have taken individuals to lots of concerts. Because I am working to improve the lives of the residents, my life is being improved. This is the best job I have ever had! Yesterday, I had a very sweet experience with an older gentleman who is deaf and mentally disabled. He is typically very cranky and gets upset when he has to be away form home without food. He doesn't readily participate in activities, and on the rare occasion that he does, he is usually throwing a fit through the whole activity. Yesterday however, I went into his apartment to do a Halloween craft with his roommates. I invited him to join us as I do every time, expecting him to deny my invitation. I was SO surprised when he looked up at me with a smile, and with great difficulty because he's is really old, got out of his chair! He sat next to me and placed parts of the craft as I added the glue. He was happy the whole time too! I wanted to cry because he was so cute about it! It's the small successes that reconvert me to therapeutic recreation just when I need it.