I think I am going to change advisors. this is the note I sent to my current advisor:
Dear (Kumu),
I hope you are doing well!
I have been meaning to call you, but I haven't been able to catch you live on Skype or online on First Class during the times I've been on.
I formulated my ILA - A proposal, and am almost done with dissertation concept paper.
It is looking like my studies will include a lot of hard to find Native/Aboriginal background materials... and Carolyn Kenny has access to a lot of these hidden treasures.
She has met me twice while on sabbatical to offer these resources.
Secondly, Carolyn referred me to Dr. Peter Hanohano, my mentor. They have known each other for quite some time through I believe some native education council.
I think because of their working relationship and shared circle of resources and colleagues, I can only benefit.
Finally, in-person guidance has proven t be extremely helpful in my case, and Carolyn can offer this since we both live in Santa Barbara.
I am thinking it might make sense for me to change advisors.
Please let me know your thoughts and if might have your blessing.
Thank you sincerely. Warm Aloha, Cami
In our culture, you ask permission before you just go ahead and do something. It is interesting that people from Western culture often think you are being passive by asking, instead of just telling the other person what you are going to do. Out of respect, peoples from Island culture and Native cultures always ask permission from their Kumus (teachers) and elders... and if they are unavailable, then for guidance from Ke Akua (God, or Higher Spirit).
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 1st, 2010 Saturday - Happy Birthday Daddy!
May 1st, 2010 Saturday - Happy Birthday Daddy!
Today is Daddy's birthday. I have to make sure I call him. I believe he is 75 years old today. Happy Birthday, Daddy!
I applied for the Al Guskin scholarship award yesterday. It required a 3 - 5 page essay that addresses:
1. How your doctoral studies are contributing to your professional/community practice.
2. Reflect on your own development as a scholar-practitioner during the course of your time in the program be it one, two or three years.
Well, I got my financial aid papers in, and completed the online application and essay. Now we wait and see what happens.
Actually, there's no waiting in the PhD program. In fact, if you wait, it costs you money. I feel like I have procrastinated long enough, and now I need to step on the gas! I had a lot of emotional blocks that come up, between the reading, writing, and processing. I've hired a cognitive-behavioral psychologist to help me process, and to keep me on deadline. This is actually genius in that I cannot procrastinate - she holds me accountable. I have to report to her every week...In person every other week, and voice mail check in on the weeks I don't see her. I have been able to process some personal issues regarding identity, and most recently, grief of losing my beloved Mom. Since I started seeing my therapist, I have turned in two papers, and have plans to turn another one (Dissertation Concept paper) in tomorrow before we meet, and yet another (Global Conceptual paper) by next week Monday.
I read two books yesterday: A is for Aloha, by Stephanie Freeney, and IZ: Voice of the people, by Rick Carol. A is for Aloha is a childrens' non-fiction alphabet book with pictures depicting the local way of life. It is really cool in that they use themes that are common to Hawaiian children. For example instead of "S is for snow" ("What is snow?", Keiki o'ka Aina might ask.) they have "S is for sand, sea, shell" and instead of "E is for elephant", they say "E is for eat" and they have a picture of these little kids eating saimin! Brilliant! I love it. I couldn't help but smile. I am going to try to get a copy of this book for my own personal library of childrens' books.
The story of Iz was extremely touching. He grew up in the same neighborhoods we did, on the east side of 'Oahu, until his family moved to Makaha. I could see all the places he described so clearly. In 1983 Iz and the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau gigged at the Ranch House in Aina Haina, at the Jolly Roger restaurant in Kahala, just down the hill from where we grew up. Why did I not frequent those places? I realized that during that time I was going to school at the University of Hawaii, cheer leading at the big games and worked as a waitress at the Yum Yum Tree and at Ray's Seafood Restaurant in Waikiki - the same nights he gigged. Geez. It seems like yesterday.
His story made me laugh, cry, feel anger at injustice and prejudice directed at the Hawaiian people. His story gave me the space to contemplate, the plight of so many Hawaiians and how it is so hard for them to beat oppression, poverty, drugs and violence. Iz had a major eating disorder, that may have been partly genetic. He lost his mother and father, older brother Skippy and younger sister Baby, all to diabetes and heart failure due to morbid obesity. I was amazed at how devoted his wife and daughter were to caring for him – they never left his side. In the end, the onset of morbid obesity took his life as well, but not until he left his mark on the hearts of people all over the world. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole was just 38 years old.
I read two articles yesterday as well. The first one Native Hawaiian Epistemology: Exploring Hawaiian views of knowledge (Spring 1998, Cultural Survival Quarterly, p. 38 - 40) by Manu Aluli Meyer will be key to my Aloha Leadership concept. She quotes Kumu Hula Olana A'i as saying "Aloha is the intelligence with which we meet life". Isn't that beautiful? This article educates the reader by showing us that The Hawaiians were a deeply spiritual, cultural people, connected to Mother earth in their thoughts and in all that they did. She talks about being judged and criticized as "lazy" or "stupid" by westerners who didn't understand the Hawaiian way of life...For example, you work before the sun gets too hot, and you rest during the heart of the day. You never harvest more than is necessary for your family, and you shared whatever you had with your community. This is very different from the Western, individualistic thought of taking more than what you need from Mother Earth’s scarce resources and selling the extra for profit. No wonder Native Hawaiians struggle with the concept of free enterprise. Our collective culture shares by nature. Very good article.
The other article I read was from the Journal of American Indian Education (Fall 1999 vol. 39 no.1) by David Kekaulike Sing, Alapa Hunter, and Manu Aluli Meyer. I am learning that Manu Meyer is a passionate, educated, young Hawaiian scholar that really knows how to articulate the struggles of the native Hawaiian peoples in a way that "others" don't get offended...they learn empathy. In this article, Native Hawaiian Education: Talking story with three Hawaiian educators, the three of them - David, Alapa, and Manu talk about what cultural intelligence should be passed down to our children and grandchildren...and how can we do this through the educational system. They talk about our connection - to family, place, community and nature. These professors talk about values, and cultural intelligence, about teaching from a strengths-based model to shape the way teachers will teach Hawaii's children for years to come. Fascinating stuff.
Today is Daddy's birthday. I have to make sure I call him. I believe he is 75 years old today. Happy Birthday, Daddy!
I applied for the Al Guskin scholarship award yesterday. It required a 3 - 5 page essay that addresses:
1. How your doctoral studies are contributing to your professional/community practice.
2. Reflect on your own development as a scholar-practitioner during the course of your time in the program be it one, two or three years.
Well, I got my financial aid papers in, and completed the online application and essay. Now we wait and see what happens.
Actually, there's no waiting in the PhD program. In fact, if you wait, it costs you money. I feel like I have procrastinated long enough, and now I need to step on the gas! I had a lot of emotional blocks that come up, between the reading, writing, and processing. I've hired a cognitive-behavioral psychologist to help me process, and to keep me on deadline. This is actually genius in that I cannot procrastinate - she holds me accountable. I have to report to her every week...In person every other week, and voice mail check in on the weeks I don't see her. I have been able to process some personal issues regarding identity, and most recently, grief of losing my beloved Mom. Since I started seeing my therapist, I have turned in two papers, and have plans to turn another one (Dissertation Concept paper) in tomorrow before we meet, and yet another (Global Conceptual paper) by next week Monday.
I read two books yesterday: A is for Aloha, by Stephanie Freeney, and IZ: Voice of the people, by Rick Carol. A is for Aloha is a childrens' non-fiction alphabet book with pictures depicting the local way of life. It is really cool in that they use themes that are common to Hawaiian children. For example instead of "S is for snow" ("What is snow?", Keiki o'ka Aina might ask.) they have "S is for sand, sea, shell" and instead of "E is for elephant", they say "E is for eat" and they have a picture of these little kids eating saimin! Brilliant! I love it. I couldn't help but smile. I am going to try to get a copy of this book for my own personal library of childrens' books.
The story of Iz was extremely touching. He grew up in the same neighborhoods we did, on the east side of 'Oahu, until his family moved to Makaha. I could see all the places he described so clearly. In 1983 Iz and the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau gigged at the Ranch House in Aina Haina, at the Jolly Roger restaurant in Kahala, just down the hill from where we grew up. Why did I not frequent those places? I realized that during that time I was going to school at the University of Hawaii, cheer leading at the big games and worked as a waitress at the Yum Yum Tree and at Ray's Seafood Restaurant in Waikiki - the same nights he gigged. Geez. It seems like yesterday.
His story made me laugh, cry, feel anger at injustice and prejudice directed at the Hawaiian people. His story gave me the space to contemplate, the plight of so many Hawaiians and how it is so hard for them to beat oppression, poverty, drugs and violence. Iz had a major eating disorder, that may have been partly genetic. He lost his mother and father, older brother Skippy and younger sister Baby, all to diabetes and heart failure due to morbid obesity. I was amazed at how devoted his wife and daughter were to caring for him – they never left his side. In the end, the onset of morbid obesity took his life as well, but not until he left his mark on the hearts of people all over the world. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole was just 38 years old.
I read two articles yesterday as well. The first one Native Hawaiian Epistemology: Exploring Hawaiian views of knowledge (Spring 1998, Cultural Survival Quarterly, p. 38 - 40) by Manu Aluli Meyer will be key to my Aloha Leadership concept. She quotes Kumu Hula Olana A'i as saying "Aloha is the intelligence with which we meet life". Isn't that beautiful? This article educates the reader by showing us that The Hawaiians were a deeply spiritual, cultural people, connected to Mother earth in their thoughts and in all that they did. She talks about being judged and criticized as "lazy" or "stupid" by westerners who didn't understand the Hawaiian way of life...For example, you work before the sun gets too hot, and you rest during the heart of the day. You never harvest more than is necessary for your family, and you shared whatever you had with your community. This is very different from the Western, individualistic thought of taking more than what you need from Mother Earth’s scarce resources and selling the extra for profit. No wonder Native Hawaiians struggle with the concept of free enterprise. Our collective culture shares by nature. Very good article.
The other article I read was from the Journal of American Indian Education (Fall 1999 vol. 39 no.1) by David Kekaulike Sing, Alapa Hunter, and Manu Aluli Meyer. I am learning that Manu Meyer is a passionate, educated, young Hawaiian scholar that really knows how to articulate the struggles of the native Hawaiian peoples in a way that "others" don't get offended...they learn empathy. In this article, Native Hawaiian Education: Talking story with three Hawaiian educators, the three of them - David, Alapa, and Manu talk about what cultural intelligence should be passed down to our children and grandchildren...and how can we do this through the educational system. They talk about our connection - to family, place, community and nature. These professors talk about values, and cultural intelligence, about teaching from a strengths-based model to shape the way teachers will teach Hawaii's children for years to come. Fascinating stuff.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
April 23, 2010 - A Virtual Memorial for our Mom - Charlotte Wengler
I have had a very sad month. My Mom had a cardiac arrest on March 13 which caused her to be in a coma. The doctors determined that even if she came out of it, she would never fully recover. our dear mother passed away with all of her children and grandchildern by her side at 1:22 am on the morning of March 18. Since many of us were from out of town, we requested the services as soon as possible, and the best we could do was have the wake on Monday, the funeral on Tuesday, and the burial on Wednesday.
Preparing for services is an emotional task...none of us has had any quality of sleep, and it seems like this whole thing is a bad dream. My sisters Tina, Lala and I went down to the funeral parlor on Monday morning the 22nd to dress Mama and prepare her hair and makeup. She was so pretty, just like she was in a deep sleep. Each of us felt it to be such an honor to do this last little bit of pampering for her.
The services were absolutely lovely. Only the very best for Mom. We sisters danced a hula that we normally would dance with our Mom...except she was in the casket.She was so beautiful! We had a lei offering ceremony where we chanted an 'oli, and the keiki (children) and mo'opuna (grandchildren) offered our best fresh leis to adorn her casket. My brother 'Umi wrote a beautiful Kanikau (chant for a passing loved one). The funeral was beautiful, and we laid our Mama's ashes to rest as we sang Aloha 'Oe. The babies - our nieces, nephews were so broken up. I never cried so many tears in my entire life.
This is definitely the saddest time in my life. My heart is broken; I feel like humpty dumpty, except instead of my head, it's my heart.
I was in a state of severe grief for the last few weeks, almost unable to function. Now however I feel like am on the way to healing. I miss her dearly, and am trying to get back in the swing of things by reading, writing, and caring about life once again.
It is helpful that I am studying the theory of Hope, and I have actually regained some renewed hope for myself in the process.
You can check out the virtual memorial site I put together here. I am still adding pictures, but this is what we have so far...
http://www.valleyoflife.com/Charlotte_Wengler/
Take care dear friends. I love you very much. Love to your Mothers as well.
Preparing for services is an emotional task...none of us has had any quality of sleep, and it seems like this whole thing is a bad dream. My sisters Tina, Lala and I went down to the funeral parlor on Monday morning the 22nd to dress Mama and prepare her hair and makeup. She was so pretty, just like she was in a deep sleep. Each of us felt it to be such an honor to do this last little bit of pampering for her.
The services were absolutely lovely. Only the very best for Mom. We sisters danced a hula that we normally would dance with our Mom...except she was in the casket.She was so beautiful! We had a lei offering ceremony where we chanted an 'oli, and the keiki (children) and mo'opuna (grandchildren) offered our best fresh leis to adorn her casket. My brother 'Umi wrote a beautiful Kanikau (chant for a passing loved one). The funeral was beautiful, and we laid our Mama's ashes to rest as we sang Aloha 'Oe. The babies - our nieces, nephews were so broken up. I never cried so many tears in my entire life.
This is definitely the saddest time in my life. My heart is broken; I feel like humpty dumpty, except instead of my head, it's my heart.
I was in a state of severe grief for the last few weeks, almost unable to function. Now however I feel like am on the way to healing. I miss her dearly, and am trying to get back in the swing of things by reading, writing, and caring about life once again.
It is helpful that I am studying the theory of Hope, and I have actually regained some renewed hope for myself in the process.
You can check out the virtual memorial site I put together here. I am still adding pictures, but this is what we have so far...
http://www.valleyoflife.com/Charlotte_Wengler/
Take care dear friends. I love you very much. Love to your Mothers as well.
Friday March 19, 2010 - Missing you, Mom
My Dear Friends,
My mom has been in frail health, suffering from a severe lung disease for many years. Saturday night March 13 she went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to Queens Hospital in Honolulu.
I was lucky enough to get a flight out on Monday, March 15th. My brothers, sisters, their kids and I have been at the ICU around the clock wanting to be with her, talking to her, praying for recovery but she never came out of her coma state. Sometimes when I spoke with Mom, she blinked her eyes and her pupils dilated; she squeezed my finger and responded to soothing...and also to agitation...I knew she could hear me, understand what was being said, and believed she was desperately trying to communicate.
72 hours after mom was admitted, the doctors scheduled a battery of tests; a prognosis was made yesterday, March 17 evening that she most likely would not recover from extensive brain damage that occurred due to lack of oxygen. Additionally, my mother's will stated that she did not want to be kept alive by artificial means. Our family honored her wishes and all the tubes were removed at 12:30 am.
All immediate family members were present; we lovingly released our mom as she took her last breaths and peacefully passed away at 1:22 am.
I can't remember being so heartbroken and yet so relieved at the same time.
Watching someone you love dearly struggle to breathe and endure pain for so long is very, very difficult. It is truly a blessing that Mom is not suffering any more.
Services need to be delivered as soon as possible because many of us are from out of town, so today we met with the people from the church, mortuary and cemetery.
They couldn't all accommodate us on the same day, but we were able to get the wake scheduled for 5:30 pm Monday; the mass will be on Tuesday, and the burial on Wednesday.
Mom was truly an angel. Those that knew her say she was full of aloha - generous, graceful, kind and loving - definitely a beautiful example of servant leadership, adored and respected by so many.
We anticipate at least 400 people will attend Mom's wake.
Although I am grateful for the time I got to spend with my dear mom, I was looking forward to interviewing her on Native Hawaiian values for my ILA-B this summer. Oh well..I guess that wasn't in the cards.
I miss her so very much...
This PhD journey sure has been interesting, hasn't it? Thank you for your continued support through your friendship. I really appreciate you.
Me ke aloha pumehana, Cami
My mom has been in frail health, suffering from a severe lung disease for many years. Saturday night March 13 she went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to Queens Hospital in Honolulu.
I was lucky enough to get a flight out on Monday, March 15th. My brothers, sisters, their kids and I have been at the ICU around the clock wanting to be with her, talking to her, praying for recovery but she never came out of her coma state. Sometimes when I spoke with Mom, she blinked her eyes and her pupils dilated; she squeezed my finger and responded to soothing...and also to agitation...I knew she could hear me, understand what was being said, and believed she was desperately trying to communicate.
72 hours after mom was admitted, the doctors scheduled a battery of tests; a prognosis was made yesterday, March 17 evening that she most likely would not recover from extensive brain damage that occurred due to lack of oxygen. Additionally, my mother's will stated that she did not want to be kept alive by artificial means. Our family honored her wishes and all the tubes were removed at 12:30 am.
All immediate family members were present; we lovingly released our mom as she took her last breaths and peacefully passed away at 1:22 am.
I can't remember being so heartbroken and yet so relieved at the same time.
Watching someone you love dearly struggle to breathe and endure pain for so long is very, very difficult. It is truly a blessing that Mom is not suffering any more.
Services need to be delivered as soon as possible because many of us are from out of town, so today we met with the people from the church, mortuary and cemetery.
They couldn't all accommodate us on the same day, but we were able to get the wake scheduled for 5:30 pm Monday; the mass will be on Tuesday, and the burial on Wednesday.
Mom was truly an angel. Those that knew her say she was full of aloha - generous, graceful, kind and loving - definitely a beautiful example of servant leadership, adored and respected by so many.
We anticipate at least 400 people will attend Mom's wake.
Although I am grateful for the time I got to spend with my dear mom, I was looking forward to interviewing her on Native Hawaiian values for my ILA-B this summer. Oh well..I guess that wasn't in the cards.
I miss her so very much...
This PhD journey sure has been interesting, hasn't it? Thank you for your continued support through your friendship. I really appreciate you.
Me ke aloha pumehana, Cami
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
New Online Class Debuts!
This evening I offered my first online class ever! Integrating Career Counseling Theory and Practice is a 1.5 quarter unit class at Antioch University Santa Barbara. Six amazing Master's level students chose to take this course, and I am excited to share all that I can with them.
Tonight we went over the syllabus, talked about the required text books, and some of my recommended favorite career books for working with specific client populations, such as religious/spiritual, over 40, "artsy types", etc. The course is offered on a platform called Sakai; I demonstrated how Sakai works, and what the expectations are for the assignments.
Learning to design an online course is a lot of fun, and I am experiencing a very steep learning curve! I met twice with our Technical Educator Katie, but then I had to re-arrange the syllabus because some of the students didn't receive their books yet, and I wanted to accommodate them, rather than have them start off without the tools they need to succeed. It's a little tricky because this decision to adapt to the students' needs came at a late date, and now the site doesn't match the assignments and we all have to readjust. The students are empathetic. Collaborative learning is such a beautiful thing! I am so grateful to all for having patience with me as I learn how to manipulate Sakai.
We ended the class with a few videos featuring John Krumboltz, Ph.D., professor at Stanford University talking about his book Luck is No Accident: Making the Most of Your Life and Career. Krumboltz is well known among scholars for his Social Learning Theory and for his research on "Happenstance" - when your life is a series of unplanned events and you are able to make the most of being in the right place at the right time...you get "lucky". He advocates learning by doing, learning skills on the job, trying new things and taking risks. I wish there was some way I could intern or set up a mentorship with him.
This class is going to be a lot of fun! I am looking forward to giving it my best effort, learning from my mistakes, and becoming better at teaching online classes.
Tonight we went over the syllabus, talked about the required text books, and some of my recommended favorite career books for working with specific client populations, such as religious/spiritual, over 40, "artsy types", etc. The course is offered on a platform called Sakai; I demonstrated how Sakai works, and what the expectations are for the assignments.
Learning to design an online course is a lot of fun, and I am experiencing a very steep learning curve! I met twice with our Technical Educator Katie, but then I had to re-arrange the syllabus because some of the students didn't receive their books yet, and I wanted to accommodate them, rather than have them start off without the tools they need to succeed. It's a little tricky because this decision to adapt to the students' needs came at a late date, and now the site doesn't match the assignments and we all have to readjust. The students are empathetic. Collaborative learning is such a beautiful thing! I am so grateful to all for having patience with me as I learn how to manipulate Sakai.
We ended the class with a few videos featuring John Krumboltz, Ph.D., professor at Stanford University talking about his book Luck is No Accident: Making the Most of Your Life and Career. Krumboltz is well known among scholars for his Social Learning Theory and for his research on "Happenstance" - when your life is a series of unplanned events and you are able to make the most of being in the right place at the right time...you get "lucky". He advocates learning by doing, learning skills on the job, trying new things and taking risks. I wish there was some way I could intern or set up a mentorship with him.
This class is going to be a lot of fun! I am looking forward to giving it my best effort, learning from my mistakes, and becoming better at teaching online classes.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
11-16-09 Viewing Disability thru the Spectrum of Values
Monday, November 16, 2009
We had the most amazing guest speaker tonight. Henry Reed, one of my favorite mentors, colleagues and friends came to speak to our class about his experience as a counselor. He inspired us, delighted us with his quick wit, had us cracking up laughing, and at times had us close to tears. It was a heart-warming experience.
Henry was one of three children born to a working class couple in a small farm town in Illinois. At 13 years old, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. His muscles began to atrophy, and the doctors didn't expect him to live very long. The family relocated to Los Angeles to try and find better health care for their son. Henry later relocated with his brother to Carpinteria, and was encouraged to meet with a career counselor at Santa Barbara City College. The counselor saw something special in Henry, and encouraged him to sign up for a career class. This was a really big step for Henry, as he was unable to complete high school due to his illness. Meeting with the counselor changed his life. That day, Henry decided "I wanted to have a future."
One class led to another, and Henry ended up earning not one, not two, but three Associates degrees from SBCC - in Liberal Studies, Computer Science, and in Interior Design. He transferred to UC Santa Barbara, and received a BS in Organizational Psychology, with a minor in Personality. Henry decided to pursue graduate studies, and in 1993 graduated with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University.
In 1989, Henry worked part-time at Santa Barbara City College as a job developer and vocational counselor while finishing up graduate school. He was recruited to work full-time at the Department of Rehabilitation as a Career Counselor, where he served clients with disabilities for three years. Because he was a client at DOR for years prior to being employed there, he was very familiar with the complex systems, the hoops that counselors have to jump through, and the governmental red tape that can frustrate clients when program funding is held up. Henry says that he appreciates an agency that can provide funding to make a difference in so many people's lives.
In 2000, Henry applied for, was hired and accepted, a full-time position with the DSPS Department at SBCC. He continues to work as tenured faculty, offering hope, kind words and empathy as he works with his clients. Henry shared with us tonight, "Your counseling path is about your passion...your mission. Students come back to see you because we've built this bond of trust, and anticipate what they might need." He stresses, "YOU are MORE than your job. Your course of values will determine who comes back to see you. Remember, YOU are there for them, not the other way around. We are honored to sit with our clients and work with them"
Henry continues to inspire others to embrace being human, and to aspire to be all that they wish for their lives. He loves learning and educating. I asked him what was on his "bucket list" since he is no longer diagnosed with a terminal illness. This wonderful man has bravely looked death in the eye several times, and says it's just that - and only that. Henry can't wait to go for another helicopter ride in the near future (has a secret desire to be a helicopter pilot), and has plans to go to Asia in January 2010. His advice? To "enjoy every day. I remind myself what I need to do daily..hourly..." His favorite thing to do is to enjoy a nice meal with friends. Mahalo, Henry Reed, for sharing your heart with us tonight.
We had the most amazing guest speaker tonight. Henry Reed, one of my favorite mentors, colleagues and friends came to speak to our class about his experience as a counselor. He inspired us, delighted us with his quick wit, had us cracking up laughing, and at times had us close to tears. It was a heart-warming experience.
Henry was one of three children born to a working class couple in a small farm town in Illinois. At 13 years old, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. His muscles began to atrophy, and the doctors didn't expect him to live very long. The family relocated to Los Angeles to try and find better health care for their son. Henry later relocated with his brother to Carpinteria, and was encouraged to meet with a career counselor at Santa Barbara City College. The counselor saw something special in Henry, and encouraged him to sign up for a career class. This was a really big step for Henry, as he was unable to complete high school due to his illness. Meeting with the counselor changed his life. That day, Henry decided "I wanted to have a future."
One class led to another, and Henry ended up earning not one, not two, but three Associates degrees from SBCC - in Liberal Studies, Computer Science, and in Interior Design. He transferred to UC Santa Barbara, and received a BS in Organizational Psychology, with a minor in Personality. Henry decided to pursue graduate studies, and in 1993 graduated with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University.
In 1989, Henry worked part-time at Santa Barbara City College as a job developer and vocational counselor while finishing up graduate school. He was recruited to work full-time at the Department of Rehabilitation as a Career Counselor, where he served clients with disabilities for three years. Because he was a client at DOR for years prior to being employed there, he was very familiar with the complex systems, the hoops that counselors have to jump through, and the governmental red tape that can frustrate clients when program funding is held up. Henry says that he appreciates an agency that can provide funding to make a difference in so many people's lives.
In 2000, Henry applied for, was hired and accepted, a full-time position with the DSPS Department at SBCC. He continues to work as tenured faculty, offering hope, kind words and empathy as he works with his clients. Henry shared with us tonight, "Your counseling path is about your passion...your mission. Students come back to see you because we've built this bond of trust, and anticipate what they might need." He stresses, "YOU are MORE than your job. Your course of values will determine who comes back to see you. Remember, YOU are there for them, not the other way around. We are honored to sit with our clients and work with them"
Henry continues to inspire others to embrace being human, and to aspire to be all that they wish for their lives. He loves learning and educating. I asked him what was on his "bucket list" since he is no longer diagnosed with a terminal illness. This wonderful man has bravely looked death in the eye several times, and says it's just that - and only that. Henry can't wait to go for another helicopter ride in the near future (has a secret desire to be a helicopter pilot), and has plans to go to Asia in January 2010. His advice? To "enjoy every day. I remind myself what I need to do daily..hourly..." His favorite thing to do is to enjoy a nice meal with friends. Mahalo, Henry Reed, for sharing your heart with us tonight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
