I’ve been fascinated by people for as long as I can remember, and have always held the view that people never cease to surprise us and amaze us. No matter how many different people we encounter in our lives and how well we feel that we understand human nature, there will always be more to learn, and there will always come along someone who breaks the pattern.
This is perhaps why I chose to study Psychology at UBC back in 2014. However, it wasn’t until working at COR and experiencing the culture of Gentle Teaching that I truly began to understand how to empathize and understand people, instead of simply studying their behaviour and casting our own explanations to determine their motivations and feelings, as psychology teaches. I’ve come to see people in an entirely different light since working at COR.
Through Gentle Teaching, I’ve learned the importance of relationship building, and how supporting an individual is so much more than just a job. Instead, it is more about creating a lasting connection, building a friendship, and truly trying to understand what the individual must be going through in both the good times, and through the rough times.
The people I support each have their own unique needs, likes, and dislikes. Getting to know each of them as the unique individuals they are has been an incredibly rewarding experience. There have been times when I’ve found myself struggling to support the guys, and wondered where I can improve to be a better support for them. With Gentle Teaching, I have realized that the guys mostly just want to feel valued, appreciated, and understood. This is what I’ve strived to do as I become more and more a part of their lives, not just as a support, but as a friend.
One of the guys loves his routine, and just wants someone to hang out with him throughout his daily activities. The other is brilliantly creative, and loves to share his creativity with anyone who is willing to extend a hand of friendship. He loves companionship, and I truly enjoy my time playing video games, listening to our common taste in music, or planning outings. The other guy has been struggling, but he really just wants someone to make him feel valued, and wantedHe loves going for coffee and talking about the different cultures that he is fascinated with.
All in all, Gentle Teaching has opened my mind to an entirely different way of understanding people, and has translated into a substantial amount of personal growth for me, even outside of COR and into my personal life. I’m ever so grateful to be a support person at COR, and hope to continue to contribute for a long time to come.
Syed
COR family member
Meet the COR Family: Kristy Dupperault
