Rural living and dual roles

“It is how we create firm boundaries and allow others to know who we are and what we value.” John Earle

I have been attending a conference this week in my backyard for rural and remote allied health professionals.  It has been great hearing about the work that many people are doing and unfortunately, I cannot be present at all the presentations due to timing. 

Another benefit is the networking with other professionals during the breaks and the discussions that this brings.  It has been lovely to catch up with my peers, who also work and live in this community.

The conference has had me reflecting once again about the many issues that rural professionals can face, especially when holding our many different roles in the community.  These dual roles need to be considered and respected on both sides – both for the people we work with and for ourselves. 

This was apparent for me last weekend as I volunteered as an usher at our local arts centre for a dance school performance and last curtain for a talented woman who has supported two of my adult children, when they were younger.  I donate my time to local theatre groups if available as well due to the connection from many years prior.

I had sent an email to a colleague late last week and when she responded, she enquired if I had been at the arts centre the night before!  I imagine it was strange not knowing the connection.  Ironically, a former client and I used to laugh when she knew I was ushering at the theatre, as we both knew her mother would be attending the performance that weekend.  Her mother only realised the connection after the client’s death, we also laughed at this memory of her daughter and I working together.  I do remember that my son was quite perplexed when she realised as she gave him a cuddle and a quick chat. 

This conference has me reflecting on whether the dual roles are so complex for other allied health professionals, is it less restrictive if you are working with children as a speech pathologist or a physiotherapist dealing with body work, rather than social and emotional wellbeing and its various causes?  Perhaps this is a conversation that needs to be explored as a joint profession, as I can only view this through my own lens.