This is my first attempt at the art of blogging. What I'll be writing about and what I hope you will join me in discussing,is the profession and world I have lived and worked in for the past thirty years. I am talking about human services often confused with human resources, which is not even close. Human services, often referred to as social services, is the day to day helping and support of individuals and their families who seek to improve their lives by utliziing a system of services and supports often over taxed to deliver all that is needed. Yet, I will be writing about the extraordinary experiences and events that happen to those who help and those who receive help.

I am talking about people who are inspiring those in their lives by what they accomplish living with challenges of mind, spirit and body, incrementely at times, yet each day of their lives. This will also be about the people who help and do it quietly with little notice or public awarness. It is often very silent work that speaks loudly, when done right and well. Most importantly, it is done well more often than not, under the pulbic radar screen, and it is not often understood until one may need to call for services for themselves or a family memeber.

I will be writing about innovation in helping, risk taking, creatively finding solutions to complex challenges that people and systems of service delivery face each day as they help those who live with disabilites, who may be homeless, suffer from a brain injury or memory impairment, and seek the life that we often don't spend much time thinking about. We will talk about art and poetry, and other ways and tools to reach those who may have autism, or other challenges in developing social connections that we all seek, to find their soul and spirit as well as that deep hidden voice that defines who we are.

I invite those of you who help others for a living or are care takers of a loved one, to join me in getting the word out on the amazing and remarkable things that you do each day, that impact those who need us for a while. I believe the best measure of success in human service delivery, is measured by those we serve needing us less and less overtime, if not at all.

Thanks, and let me know what you are thinking and doing to help somebody realize their potential that may have at one point seemed impossible. Also, please note, humor is required and welcomed. Lastly, when one person lives with a disability, we all live with a disability.

JBG