I was asked by Pam Werner to deliver a one and one half day leadership skills workshop at this week long retreat for Peer Support Specialists at the MacMillian Conference Center, Higgins Lake, Michigan.
I arrived about 9:00 PM on Sunday, after a difficult day with my aging mother. I was greeted warmly by Mary Beth, who is, I believe, one of the organizers. Between the registration, being assigned my room, and emptying my car I must have met 10 people who offered to help get my bags to my room. In the first 15 minutes I was engaged in a conversation with 3 people sitting on the steps of the cabin, enjoying the evening. They were talking about their personal experience in this phenomen called Recovery Movment. They were bright, careful, excited, and encouraged. They spoke of their lives being changed dramatically by learning about themselves and trusting that they can manage their illness.
I excused myself from this group, wanting to walk around the grounds and become familiar with the conference center. At every cabin door, there were small groups chatting and enjoying the evening. Following the drive, I came across two men walking in the opposite direction. Gerald was the first person who offered to help me with my bags, and Yuself is a man I know from my work in long-term care reform. After a warm greeting they joined me in my walk to the lake.
At the end of a long boardwalk through the woods, was a campfire with more people chatting. I met Doug who carves wood and spoke of being commissioned to carve an elephant - I did not get the impression that it was life size! Ann, Mo, Heather, and Pam who I know from a leadership mini-grant we were able to offer her program. All are very friendly and engaging.
If this is an example of how the Peer Support Specialists initiative works, I am in for a very delightful week.
More tomorrow,
Carolyn
No comments:
Post a Comment