We Are Who We Are

It’s interesting to me to see the dynamics of families where I work. I know that most families are (and have been) under stress when they arrive and as they work with their loved one who is there for recovery of some kind. Different people tend to deal with that stress in different ways.
Some work very hard, going beyond what is asked of them regarding exercise, strengthening, conditioning, etc. It’s as if they are saying, “If a little does some good, then a lot will do a lot of good.” These people are relatively small in number, however.
Other residents and families are in some kind of denial. They don’t like to (or refuse to) take part in therapies, question why they are there, and generally are uncooperative. What they don’t always realize is that their insurance will not continue to pay for them to be there if they refuse properly-ordered therapies.
Some residents and families are angry at the world. Everyone is out to get them, and they appear to be alone against all odds. These people struggle mightily, and expend a lot of time and energy in behaviors that are unproductive at best.
There are those who are the manipulative ones. They play one staffer against another or one medical provider against another. They stir up other families and residents with half-truths. And they work the system as much and as long as they can.
And then there are those residents and families who take their situation in relative stride. Or at least they appear to do so. They are mostly cooperative, and seldom gripe or complain. These are the compliant ones and usually cause the least issues.
Come to think of it, as I look at the above, that’s a good description of humanity, isn’t it. Whether we’re in a job situation, a medical crisis, have a family problem, or are in some other environment, these emotions and behaviors tend to come forward and have to be dealt with by the others who are involved. And we all at times exhibit these behaviors in some way, shape, or form as we hurtle through life and living.
People are people. Being human is being human. And although some of the behaviors I’ve listed above are not good, and although we constantly try to eliminate these behaviors from our lives, it is comforting in a way to know that the human race is still human…we are who we are.