Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

One day I went into her room to tend to her. As a young, busy nurse I know I wasn’t as patient and understanding as I should have been. I had a point to make and today was the day I made it.

“It must feel great getting so much special attention.” I said to her matter of factly.

Mary’s voice shifted and I stopped in my tracks.

“I have no privacy,” she said, “someone is always in my room.”

Perspective. Everything changed for me in that moment.

This was Mary, suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for I can’t remember how long. Stuck in either her wheelchair or her bed. Dependent on others for absolutely everything at an age where she should be playing on the floor with her grandchildren.

This was Steph, a cocky young nurse who took the time out of her day to make a backhanded comment intended to make her feel bad about taking time away from other patients.

Imagine having no privacy. Imagine not being able to scratch your back, move your leg or get yourself something from the night table. I couldn’t even, and still can’t, imagine these things.

That day our relationship changed from patient/nurse to friends. My entire attitude, when answering her call light or entering her room or adjusting a limb that wasn’t quite right, shifted. With her permission, I began to go into her room when her call light wasn’t on. I went in not because I had to but because I wanted to. I encouraged staff to knock and wait until she said, “Come in.” Her room was an extension of her personal space and we had to relearn how to respect that.

These days, two decades later, I still think of Mary every time time I see a Gooseberry in the grocery store. My face scrunches up at the thought of it just like it did when she offered me one of hers to try for the first time. I think of her when I see a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, because after she enlightened me, I took extra time with her and would read her a story before bed.

Today, I invite you to think about who or what’s driving you crazy and look at the situation and/or the person from a different perspective. Sometimes it’s just the smallest shift that makes you go ‘click’ and the situation seems entirely different.

To my Mary, you were contrary, but you had every reason to be. Life dealt you a tough hand and you played it as well as could be expected. Thank you for giving me the gift of perspective which helped me to be, not only a better nurse but, a better human.

***

Stephanie Staples, CSP* is the author of When Enlightening Strikes – Creating a Mindset for Uncommon Success, an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, and the recipient of the 2014 Manitoba Woman Entrepreneur Award for Contributions to Community. Stephanie empowers audiences & clients across North America to bring their ‘A’ game to work and to life. Stephanie has a special interest in working with and empowering nurses and healthcare providers. She happily calls Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada home. You can get loads of complimentary resources to help with issues such as work/life balance, wellness, stress management and happiness in general, as well as find out more information about her coaching and speaking services at http://www.YourLifeUnlimited.ca.

* Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), conferred by the National Speakers Association is the speaking profession’s international measure of professional platform proficiency. Less than 10 percent of speakers have earned this credential and are recognized as some of the best in their fields. Stephanie was one of only five professional speakers in Canada (and the only woman) to attain this designation in 2013.

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Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

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