I have a question but first I'm going to tell you a story.
I work with developmentally disabled people. I deal with physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, social services, psychological, behaviorial, emotional, and health issues on a daily basis. I also spend part of my day wiping arses. Not the most thrilling part of my job, but necessary. Yes it is nice to see someone who it was believed could not communicate in any way begin to be able to tell people what they want or need. It is nice to have a health problem resolved. It is nice to finally reach a breakthrough point with someone and get them more comfortable and behaving appropriately in a social setting. But what fulfills me the most, is seeing these people's smile when I walk through the door. That smile comes because I don't treat them badly or differently or get upset because they can't control their bowels or their bladder, because I don't freak out when they can't stop themselves from masturbating in the living room, because I dont' look at them like they are a freak because they can't keep food or even their saliva in their mouths. Does it sound like my education even touches the best part of my job? Nope. Did I think this is what I would be doing with my training? Nope. But I wouldnt' trade if for the world. If I didn't get those smiles, it would all be crap, but...
So why did you become a heart surgeon? What do you get out of it?
"Acceptance doesn't mean resignation. It means understanding that something is what it is and there's got to be a way through it."--Michael J. Fox
