A Caring Introduction To My In-laws

"A time when you received care" and "how you knew you were cared for."

After a long day of exploring attractions on the southeast coast of Mexico I fell into a tired stupor. There was something foreign taking over my mind. A nauseating rush passed through my head. I breathed slowly for a short while until I could no longer control my breath. I knew I was about to get sick. I rushed to the washroom where I ended up staying for hours. From 9:00pm until 1:00am my boyfriend’s family (now in-laws) and their friends brought me Gatorade, held my hair, massaged my back, and showed care and support in many ways.  At 1:00am I started to pass out and lose function in my hands and feet.  No one left my side.  Even in the darkest hours of the night of this family’s vacation they were gladly and openly supporting me.  By 3:00am an ambulance was needed as my body started to lose a lot of function due to severe dehydration.  The convulsions began.  

While I was being strapped down in the ambulance I had my boyfriend next to me. In cars behind were people who I had just met two days prior. I knew they were not only there to make sure I was okay but to be there for my boyfriend who also needed the support as he wasn’t convinced that I would be okay. The next day, visitors, again, whom I just recently met, came to the clinic to check in, bring fresh clothes, and to offer a strong hand.  I was overwhelmed by the care and support of these people who I’d only known for 48 hours.  They were taking time out of their vacation to offer whatever they could. I felt genuinely cared for and knew my immediate family, who were hours by plane away, wouldn’t need to worry about anything because I had what seemed to be family by my side.

After watching 13 bags of intravenous drip into my body I was ready to slowly make my way back to the beach bungalow.  I needed to recover, regain some strength, and try to enjoy my last three days in the warm weather.

When I think of this experience I don’t think of how awful I felt and how my illness ruined the trip.  This was a memorable trip because of the people who cared for me when my partner and I needed it most.  I remember the thoughtfulness, kindness, and comfort people offered.  I haven’t seen some of these people since the Mexico experience that occurred almost 5 years ago but I think about them often and hope they know how appreciated their support was.

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A side thought on ‘care’ and this may come across as obvious but ‘care’ often seems to be given more easily to loved ones, those in emergency situations, or those who stand out from the normal day to day doings. I get the feeling that if someone fell ill on public transit or was in a car accident they would be provided care and support by bystanders, however, if the same bystanders were to walk along East Hastings Street in Vancouver and see people who were unwell or in need of some kind of care they may carry on with their day because the area is known for homelessness and high drugs use.  It may seem ‘normal’ to see people struggling in these conditions in this specific area so care isn’t offered. Or, is it not the normalcy of it but that bystanders are scared to help or think a quick offering of care will not fix the ultimate ‘problem’? In the end care doesn’t have to come down to curing an illness or finding the solution to a problem. Care goes beyond medical and finding solutions. Care reaches the most important thing, the person and the emotional being that resides within. 

Self-Care and What it Means to Me

My personal definition/description of self-care

Self-care is an integral part of my day, everyday! Over the years I have learned what I personally need to ensure balance, calmness, and appreciation in my life.  For me, self-care can be embedded in daily routine with little awareness of "it" even occurring. Whereas, other instances you need to engage in the practice...a practice that is intrinsically motivating so you continue to do it for the enjoyment and benefits.  After the practice has finished you feel rejuvenated or much closer to a state of balance and homeostasis.

Self-care can often fall into daily routine in a somewhat unconscious fashion.  For instance, interactions with colleagues, friends, family, and/or the public; the pleasure gained from connecting with them in scenarios where you are supporting them, they are supporting you, or there is a dialogue that leads to laughter or insight that leads to fulfillment. If laughter is often included in your day you are releasing endorphins that help you feel more relaxed, both emotionally and physically. This example illustrates how small episodes of self-care can occur with minimal effort but they do indeed lead to a more positive state.

Personally, my day is mixed with both planned and unplanned self-care practices.  The everyday planned practices include healthy eating, taking time to exercise, reading the news, and connecting with my husband.  The unplanned are things that arise at work and in leisure time when I get to support others, be someones' reference for a new job, be a listening ear for someone who just needs someone, be a learner at conference, be inspired by a peer, and so on. Everyday can provide opportunities that add to your self-care reservoir.

When self-care practices are ignored my body becomes easily disturbed.  My energy levels sink, I feel more agitated and irritable, and my patience decreases. If these signs start to occur I know to stop what I am doing, put my running shoes on, and get outside.

I have included some activities I do when the opportunities arise that support my personal self-care. These are the things that help me feel more connected to nature, be grateful, energized, and reflective.

Buntzen Lake - taking a pause from a run to enjoy the beauty

Trail Running  (I get lost in my breath and heart beat, the environment I am in, and the energy that is traveling through my body).

Enjoying the local food in Zambia

Traveling and diving into a new culture - whether it be trying local foods, learning a new language, or engaging in cultural activities. I always self reflect during my travels and return home feeling more open, adaptable, and curious.

Using a broom to get the mangoes

Gathering food from the primary source - there is something about digging through dirt, picking fresh fruit, and seeing the connection from nature to kitchen that is so refreshing.

Past, Present, and Future ME!

Hello followers,

My first blog post is an introduction of myself. Sweet! A chance to talk about myself and not have the pressure of an interview. Phew!

First off, some fun facts: I was born and raised in Terrace, BC.  To me, it was a secluded outdoor adventure mecca full of recreational opportunities. Who needs Whistler when you can get an annual ski pass for $200 where the mountain is known for its powder days. Sign me up! From a young age I was ALWAYS moving.  My parents would get dizzy from watching me twirl, do cartwheels and handstands, and complete laps around our house. The idea of play has always been near and dear to my heart. I played all of the school sports and became quite competitive in fastpitch, basketball, and snowboarding. After high school, I felt the need to go somewhere far away to discover who I was without the comfort of my close friends and family. And, to see more of the world that I only read about in books. I opted for a 6 month backpacking trip to Australia. After this trip I was hooked. I wanted to go everywhere! However, I did feel the need to get some schooling under my belt so college it was, in Vancouver.  It did take me awhile to finish as I would take full semesters or years off to travel.  That was the best decision I could have made. Traveling was better than any text book, it connected me with people from all around the world, and it taught me life lessons that have helped me in my everyday life and career. Also, it was pretty cool to run and bike through every kind of neighbourhood with new smells, structures, streets, and signs. After several years of important procrastination I did eventually walk across the stage with a shiny folder that carried a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Coaching.

Self-guided jungle trek - on the search for banana trees

Fast forward a couple of years...I now work at Douglas College in a role that focuses on student wellness, recreation, and leadership. I know my experiences and education are valuable and help me do good work but I am ready to challenge myself both academically and professionally. I want to re-ignite my passion for movement, international work, and human development.  It would bring me joy to provide more depth of knowledge and expertise to those I work with and teach.

Why the H.E.A.L program?
When I discovered the HEAL program it quickly rose to the number one spot on the list of programs I was exploring. The flexibility of research and hands on approaches to real life health concerns drew me in.  To read and discuss health topics openly but then to have the opportunity to narrow down your research and focus area was appealing.  Also, knowing that students who apply to the program come from diverse careers was attractive as a lot of the learning could be in a peer to peer format.

I believe I can learn a lot from my peers' experiences and from the knowledgeable instructors. Already, from the assigned readings to date, I feel like I reflect differently, ask more purposeful questions, and am very curious to know about the 'why?', particular in terms of behaviours and ones' actions.

I am hopeful that my experiences working with post-secondary students (domestic and international), NGO's abroad, my understanding of physical education and coaching, and my buzzing energy can provide enriching dialogue, that I can share lived experiences that apply to our discussions, and overall, that I am an empathic, trusting, and enjoyable peer to the rest of the cohort.