I dont think I can fight the good fight anymore

[commander bunnypants]

:-(

Just informed a client is now in jail for robbery. He is still fucking school. Social services is nothing but a futile worthless uphill battle. Maybe I can get a job managing a liquor store.

I am just so tired anymore

jon

[sui generis]

1. you can't win every battle

remember that there are some people who really do benefit from what you do - don't deprive them of your knowledge and experience just because of this loser.

I lived with an MSSW for a long time and got to see the ups and downs up close . . . don't give up. There will be better days.

[H2O Man]

2. Maybe.

Maybe not. But your decision to continue with the line of work you are in should not be based on any of your clients' actions. It's a matter of if you are able to do it to somewhere near the best of your abilities.

On occassion, I see kids I worked with "way back when" in the police blotters of area newspapers. And at other times, I see kids I worked with who have developed into very decent adults. I miss that type of work.....

I found that a sick sense of humor helped. I have an image of if you do get the job in the liquor store, some night about three years from now, seeing your client's younger brother walking into the liquor store, preparing to rob it. Then you'll think, damn it! I could have helped this kid!

[lapislzi]

3. You are doing more good than you realize

It is a sad fact that not everyone can or will be helped. I will pass on this piece of Henry V, as a fellow DUer did for me recently when I was discouraged.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Keep it up. You are not alone in the struggle.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. As a veteran of...

The social services wars(Psych Division) I understand your weariness. But fear not: a qualified win(which is all you really get in that biz...) will come your way and all of a sudden, things will not seem as bleak. In fact, you will feel damned good.

Don't give up the fight. You are on the side of the angels. Know that.

[Shoeempress]

5. You are not your client's parent. You don't make the mess, you just

try to clean it up. I used to do Divorce work, and had to get out cuz it made me crazy, had one client kill himself, had a party on the other side do the same. Had parties on other side threaten to kill me, beat me up, file Complaints with licensing, you know, general insanity. Take a deep breath, your clients make choices and then you try to fix the mistakes and I am sure do a great job. How many People have you helped? Probably more than you know.

[commander bunnypants]

6. I am gonna go buy a pair of new shoes

maybe that will brighten my mood

DDQM

[Shoeempress]

7. That always lifts my spirits.