I need to borrow you for about 30 minutes. I need your help

Published

Hello,

Almost three years ago, I came on this group to speak to nurses everywhere. I brought some unconventional youtube videos with me, the first of which was very dark, which I called "Truth". I did this as a peaceful protest against actions taken against me by people who did not truly know me (which was not anyone is this group that I know of). I had been told no repeatedly and doors slammed in my face. That continued on this page, and afterwards, when I contacted the Canadian Human Rights Commission and was denied Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I understand how my efforts were unconventional and seemed crazy, but I did it because I was left with nothing else.

I truly know what it feels like to be abandoned and feel worthless. I identify with the most disenfranchised of our society because of this. The one thing I have going for me that many of them don't is my amazing family. The wrongs taken against me have been so severe (by both the nursing and legal profession in my province), that I would have ended my life, if not for my family. But I did not, I continued along, and continued to get hurt again and again. I formally left nursing in January 2018 but my heart is still with the profession and I have a good relationship with my previous employer.

My experience has made me want to fight for things at the grassroots level, to fight for the disenfranchised. I have worked a series of jobs all over the place trying to find where I best fit. In February 2019, I finally thought I found a job in social services as a residential counselor. It was a home for pregnant and parenting women and their children who were experiencing homelessness. The phrase "hurt people, hurt people" is all too true and I saw the "writing on the wall" of where things would go if I stayed. I abruptly quit, then went to my doctor, attended counseling and did a bunch of reading. These things combined all helped me heal to a point where I could help heal others.

On September 20, 2019, I finally took up my true calling. The week leading up to that, in our community of just over 70,000 people, 4 people took their lives. Still being unemployed despite utilizing the services of an employment counselor and applying for countless jobs, I knew what I needed to do. I got out on Reversing Falls bridge that day (as many lives have been lost here) and began to advocate for life by listening to people. I shared with them messages that I inherently believe - "I don't know you, but I know how you feel", "I wanted to know your story”, "Let's talk. I will listen", "You are not the sum of your mistakes", "You are not your past", and "You are worth it". I was only able to say these things because to others because I truly felt them about myself, I had come back from the edge.

I have shared my back from the edge story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIunvep499g&t=177s I believe sharing stories can help heal us, (I am witnessing this happen here!) which is why I’ve used another unconventional method again (no names or institutions have been mentioned). This truth, however, is more readily accessible and easier to understand. Please have a listen. If any of it resonates with you, I would like your assistance with something.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Please remove the name of your previous employer as it could identify you.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
53 minutes ago, meanmaryjean said:

Please remove the name of your previous employer as it could identify you.

I can't see where I can... Did you watch the video?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

I removed the name of your former place of employment.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, HIV/AIDS.

Dcrawley, I listened to your YouTube presentation and of course read the above. Your reaching out to possibly suicidal people is both admirable and SO NEEDED! Thank you for your compassion and so sorry your journey before this was untenable.

Sometimes all it takes is a listening ear.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks beckysue920! And that's right! ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
On 10/19/2019 at 9:50 AM, dcrawley said:

. Please have a listen. If any of it resonates with you, I would like your assistance with something.

What does this mean??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion