Friday, May 18, 2012

Me:  What is your name?
Native American Resident: John Tito.----(Name changed)
Me:  John Tito?
Native American Resident:  Yes, I got that name when I was a young boy.
Me:  How old were you when you were named?
Native American Resident:  8 or 9 years old.  I worked for a man who named me.
Me:  What were called before you were named?
Native American Resident: Ashkii.
Me:  What does that mean?
Native American Resident: [Laughs] Boy...it means "boy"
Me:  What do people call you now?
Native American Resident:  shi' cheii
Me:  What does that mean?
Native American Resident:  [Smiling] Grandfather.
Me:  What should I call you? Mr. Tito?  John?
Native American Resident:  John Tito.
Me:  John Tito- you want me to call  you by your full name each time we talk?
Native American Resident:  Yes, call me John Tito.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

180 Days @ The SNF

It has been a loooong time- But I am starting a  new segment on the blog.  I work in a long-term care facility -Each day of work the unique group of people and residents enrich my life via their words or actions.  It is my hope to document at least one of these moments for a day for 180 days.
Day 1:
Resident:  (50 something year old male, uses a walker, has had a stroke)- "I thought that when I got out of here, you could take me to the park everyday to sell pot."
Me:  "Not going to happen."
Resident:  "Good, I'll find someone else, you were dropped on your head as a baby.  You'd probably call the cops anyway
Me:  [speechless with exasperated expression]
Resident:..[shrugs his shoulders]  "sorry 'bout that."