Wednesday 25 September 2013

Life in Halifax # 11 - inspiring support group

I remember the reason I chose community clinic is because I want to have more exposure on community health promotion like support groups or any campaign. After 1 week plus in the community clinic, finally I've got the chance to experience one of the support groups.

 It's a group for people who are dealing with mental illness and addiction. When I went in, most of them were preparing coffee or tea for the following session. I was told that this is their routine, having some snacks and coffee/tea before session starts. Today, the social worker, N, made a new rule which is to hope that everyone could stay in the room till the session ends instead of going in and out of the room. Not to restrict anyone's activity, but to help them to build up self-discipline I guess.  

However, there, I see people supporting each other, learning to cope better with their life, offering help to each other, talk and listen to each other and love. Some described that they have found another family in the group. They are all lovely people. 

This week is a topic week. So someone from addiction group, D, was invited to give them a little talk. I would say that it was more interactive than I have expected. They are just so great and some even think of supporting people around them. I'm seriously impressive. 

After the session ended, D gave everyone a small inspiring gift. 


Life is not easy, I know. But, do keep your dreams alive! 
They keep us motivated and always lead us to a better future.  





Thursday 12 September 2013

Life in Halifax #10 - Introduction to clerkship

Class started and class ended. In just 3 weeks of introduction to clerkship, I feel that I have experienced a lot new things. For sure, one of them is meeting new people, the locals! I have to admit that I'm not good in making new friends=( However, a lot of them have made me feel so warm and welcome, especially D, who offer me a ride, S who walked back with me, J and R who took initiative to talk to us and some others friendly classmates. Thank you very much, sometimes things that people do subconsciously just matter so much to me. 

I am amazed by my new classmates who are married and some of them even have children, yet they are still studying hard in medical schools to be a doctor. I guess they must be having a very good attitude or thoughts towards learning to achieve their dreams. I want to learn their passions towards medicine from them.

Gambateh in psychiatry rotations!!! =))