After a brilliant week in San Fransisco, attending the NADD annual conference, I am back at work, back to life and taking time to digest all that I learned.
The last time I was in San Fransisco, 8 years ago, I was working a trade show for a tea company. By the end of my trip I had thrown out my back, my allergies where in full bloom and I was as alone as I ever had been barely able to make it home on my own.
It was one of the toughest trips I had ever been on.
It was at a time when I took a break from front line support work to venture into the world of sales and marketing to try and make some more money. It was after that San Fran trip that I realized what I was missing and why I started in support work in the first place.
During the NADD conference this year I was deeply reminded of why I do the work I do.
I support others, because others support me.
The conference held many bright spots for me, a great deal of learning opportunities and some integral reminders. What filled my heart the most was the reminder that I am part of something bigger; I am not alone.
I had time to speak with people from all over the world, who all struggle supporting people with a dual diagnosis. Challenges in their communities where a mirror to the struggles in my own. We shared how we are succeeding in our work and we listened to how others were succeeding in theirs.
You are not alone in your work.
I just spent a week with 400 like minded people from all over the world, and we are all fighting the good fight. No one there was a saint, we all struggle in our lives and work, but we are still working and building and improving and learning and growing in our support of people with a Dual Diagnosis.
On my flight home, a 5 hour early morning full flight, I was sitting between two large men. Both did not speak English with ease, both had shoulders that span more then their allotted seat space. Myself, not being small either, squished between them and realized that I was to spend the next 5 hours trying not to encroach on my neighbors space... which did not seem likely as I was planning on sleeping this trip.
One of the men to my left looked at me, smiled and told me, "Looks like we will have to cuddle this trip".
The man to my right laughed and said "Fine with me I am exhausted."
So we all leaned on each other. Three people who might never meet in the world, shared space in kindness and understanding for the sake of a little sleep and comfort.
It reminded me of the conference. Together we will go far. Together we can accomplish any struggles we come across. Together we are a community of support, not only for those we are charged with supporting, but for everyone we meet.
I left part of my heart in San Fran last time I was there. I forgot what a healthy work place and community was like. I was broken and sick and alone.
I found my heart in San Fransisco this time. In the reminder that I am not alone.
"You can not take a person where you are not willing to go yourself." Dr Wolff