A RICHLAND REUNION

A RICHLAND REUNION

CHIE RETURNS TO HER OLD HOME,

THE M.C. (MulticulturalCenter)

REUNITES WITH CO-WORKER , FRIENDS ,

....HER SECOND FAMILY

LONG OVERDUE, but better late than never. Chie made the much anticipated trip back to her old job at Richland's Multicultural Center. Although she complains about forgetting everything her memories are there, we just have to find a way to tap into them. Seeing the campus and Thunder Duck Hall, where she worked for almost 3 years, seemed familiar to Chie as we parked and walked towards the building. We were no more than five feet in the building when she was overcome with excitement. She started telling me "She's the same! She's the same!" She quickly steered left to say hello to the lady working at the front desk who she remembered from going to work two years ago, and she remembered her as well. She rushed around the desk to give a big hug to Chie, telling her how she had been wondering what happened to her and when she would be back. It was pleasing to see that she didnt have any trouble recalling this friend. We have to hope hope that there is so much more just waiting to be triggered in her mind.

Chie was so excited to see everyone at the M.C. She has missed you all so very much, as you are such dear friends to her. She really enjoyed visiting with everyone and snacking on the wonderful foods you brought ( I have not forgotten the cookie sheet and will have it back soon. The cake was great!). It was good to catch up. I know we havent seen so many of you for such a long time. We cant thank you enough, I just dont know how to express just how much it means to us, all of your kindness, your endless support and wisdom, all of your understanding, willingness to help, offer suggestions and patience with me ( I know I have poured my heart out to many of you, overreacted, been absent minded, rude and god knows what else. I am sorry for my behavior).

Chie was overcome with emotions and excitement. It was a bit much for her right after the discharge. Did I say for her, excuse me, for us, I know it is for me. It is exhausting, believe me. We continue to work on her controlling her emotions so that Chie can present herself as composed, independent, poised and sophisticated drawing peoples attention away from her disability, so that when people see her, they do not see her as disabled. She has learned how to sit and position her arm so it does not noticeably shake, use good posture, speak clearly etc.. It is still very difficult and for many reasons. She has made stellar progress, so she always takes to heart when you tell her how she has improved. Just a little advice, Dont just say she has improved because she will call you on it, everytime, "really? how? In what way?" It means everything to her. She is well aware that she cannot notice her progress on a day to day basis and we work at it all day everyday, so you better believe she is gonna want details.

Aside from the obvious reasons why its hard to contain her emotions , I can share with you what she has with me and kind of what she is going through. First and Foremost, She is inately Japanese, so right off the bat she is internally dealing with the conflict of how she has in some way let the team down. Why and/or what is her excuse for not doing her job?, who is having to do it? She needs to apologize for the inconvenience she has caused, and she feels ashamed, embarrassed. It sounds crazy, but I would be willng to bet that is exactly what goes through her mind. If it makes you feel guilty for all the times you have slacked off at work, cut corners, or just said "screw it." Well, we should, feel guilty. Where she is from they just don't do that, like, its not an option, AT ALL. The job and the quality at which it is done, is first. Maybe that is why, in Japan, they will practically create a job for you in the company when you approach retirement and may be struggling with job duties, and here, the first sign of you not being able to do your job or keep up, You Gone! I guess we dig our own graves, Ouch!!

Anyways, Then the memory loss comes into play. Chie can often recognize you and the feelings of how close you were is present, it's just that the memories of how it came to be, are not. She wants to know all the times you shared and remember all the memories you had together. It is very important to her but they just don't come and we dont know how to hone into them to let them flow. To recognize someone and their face is so exciting and positive for her, but then to want so badly and to struggle so hard for the answers that will not come to the questions, how? and why, do I know this person? It is all incredibly heart breaking to her as the full weight of her reality and situation bear down on her shoulders leaving her at a loss and helpless. We will never know the depths to which this tortures her sanity, but I can see how it would make her want to scream and break down and cry. I think we often forget to realize just what she is going through, and therefore not understanding why she is overwhelmed with emotions and crying. We often get nervous and struggle ourselves to fix it or stop her from crying maybe feeling like we somehow caused this, but we did not and it's ok for her to cry and get it out, just be patient and stay with her to provide the security that even though the memories have left once, you will not. Chie is not stupid, she can listen to you tell her about the times you spent and then turn right around and tell someone else as if she does remember, but she really does not. Those memories mean a great deal to Chie, marking the special times you shared together. We need to remember that they were not just forgotten as if they were of no importance. They were stolen from her in the blink of an eye, and she wants them back! So, if she doesnt remember something do not feel as though its not important to her, because it is. Take the time to tell her and help give back what was taken from her. It may help fire up some of her own memories.

This is just a hint of what she is constantly faced with this in almost every aspect of life. I cannot even fathom the frustration that encompasses, but she does, and deals with it, WELL, on a daily basis. She holds within her a strength that legends come from, a strength that makes you feel there is nothing she cannot accomplish, so strong she could move mountains and touch the sun, inspiring to all, that makes us all better people just to have witnessed it.