I’ve been privileged to work and volunteer at the Rape Crisis Center for two years now. In that time I’ve given them hundreds of hours of my time, a tv and Bluray player, access to Netflix, two computers and my amazing personality.
In return, they’ve given me a paycheck, people I can talk to when things suck, smiling faces every day, memories I would never get any other way. I have no need to pretend I’m someone I’m not. They accept my T-shirt wearing ass for who I am. Now that I’m in the office I’m surrounded by people who say hello and genuinely seem happy to see me, even if their computer isn’t broken yet.
I don’t dread work. I’ve done 142 hospital cases from false outcries to women bleeding all over the room. I’ve diffused some volatile situations without realizing they were volatile. I’m helped people who started the night expecting no recourse but thanks to my training I can give them hope.
As a hotline worker, I talked a lot of people down from bad nights. Sometimes you just need to get it all out with someone that won’t take it home.
I learned early to let all the negative energy I absorb diffuse on my way home. Comedy albums are great for it.
I’m lucky is what I’m saying. I seem to be built for this job!