Thursday 28 April 2016

What's your story?



I was on a training course today with some of my colleagues from the chaplaincy where I volunteer. Though I've studied mental health as part of my post grad in counselling I found there is still so many issues that I am unaware of. Today was one of those days. Though learning about dementia and having a family member with alzheimer’s I thought I understood it well but today's learning has really opened my eyes to delirium (acute confusional state) which often is underdiagnosed and in some cases misdiagnosed where people are labelled with dementia (which is non reversible) when delirium can be treated and cured.
I think for me, the biggest learning, and what resonated most from today was the importance of our faculties and capturing stories; the loss of either is devastating. Working with dementia patients/clients, is about knowing as much as you can, learning about them so you may relate, and be able to communicate in a way which may be familiar to them. Knowing where they lived, where they grew up, family members, parts of their history is vital to help bring about calm when they are in a state of confusion or anxiety. Creating a storybook of pictures, items, things that are symbolic and hold meaning are a way of developing a way to engage. Reminiscing or storytelling, creating a way to tap into memories that evoke happy or joyous emotion is immensely useful. The point is, our stories matter. We matter, and our life and history matters.
Perhaps their memories are no more, perhaps they live in the past, or a reality different to our own, but what have not left are the emotions they attached to moments in time. They are still who they were and remain as so. Though they may feel lost at times, and though they may feel as though they are surrounded by unfamiliarity, there are creative ways to shine a little light.
I was asked to give a short presentation as to why I volunteer in the chaplaincy…
my motivation… In my selflessness there is some selfishness. I give, as I too am in need.

Monday 11 April 2016

Freewrite - Pen the picture


 
"He saw her coming. His heart raced, and eyes searched. A longing from ocean to ocean, aching for her feet to tread on his shore. His constant worry, if whether her belly was full, if her body had rested, and if she had studied to her full potential. Questions, all bursting at once.

He stuttered and stumbled as he searched for her name. The one he had so lovingly given her, the day her mother gifted her to him, on her parting. The same day he had promised to never leave her side. The name that now lodged in his constricted throat, while his eyes swam in floods of tears.

He gazed upon the young woman who stood before him. He sank back into the abyss from which he had risen."I'm sorry dear. I thought you were my daughter, and for a moment I felt content."

© Aisha Mirza

Monday 4 April 2016

Shared Voices Event 2 -Women of Faith

Understanding of different faiths begins at home, was just one of the themes for this year’s Women of Faith- shared Voices event, which I’ve had the pleasure of hosting and organising two years in a row. Our events have never been about “ticking boxes” but establishing real connections with individuals from all different faith groups and non. This year has been such an amazing year working on this project, which has included our trip to Bosnia with Remembering Srebrenica.
The greatest lesson has been “in the face of hate, we must love.” Without a doubt this year has also brought with it difficult conversations about issues happening around the world and it isn’t something we’ve chosen to ignore, as I believe we cannot move forward if we are unable to name the “elephant in the room.” However the beauty of working in the way that we have, through developing trust, and reflecting a non-judgemental attitude, is that even at testing and difficult times we have been able to have dialogue and fundamentally ask questions which sometimes we are too afraid to ask.





Yesterday we saw our women come together to celebrate “love for all, and hatred for non” with an afternoon of song, poetry, dialogue, shared understanding and some impromptu dancing which spanned across all faiths. We had the pleasure of listening to The Sacred Sounds Choir and Daf Daman with their hauntingly beautiful sounds. We had poetry/song written and performed by Jackie Harrison, Heather Fletcher on the meaning of interfaith, and heard Amna Abdul Latif share her story of being part of an interfaith family. We had Ann share some of the highlights of our trip to Bosnia and the learning, that even those who have suffered the most horrific crimes encourage justice, and most crucially peace by harbouring no hatred. I was able to close by sharing my poem on unconditional love; no matter what I experience in life there is always One greater love.
One woman at the event was emotional and shared this:
“this type of gathering brings me hope that despite what we hear and see happening around the globe, there are people committed to bring about change and there are far more good and compassionate people in the world.”
Aisha Mirza 2016