Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

233inalienable right. Most of us claim our right to be protected from invasions ofprivacy, whether it’s teatime phone sales people from India or garish unwantedpop-ups on the computer screen. Why can’t that awareness be translated into arespect for the privacy of others who live in the institutional context?Do professional responsibilities override such rights? Do such rights getoverridden because the ones served in the institution are viewed with lesserregard than what we would uphold for ourselves?6.2.9 Narrative #9: LifetimesHenrietta is a lady in her 70s. I first met her several years ago in the craftroom where she liked to occupy much of her time either joining in an activitysuch as basket weaving, or simply sitting back and enjoying the repartee engagedin amongst fellow artisans and staff.Owing to the series of strokes she suffered some 20 or so years ago herverbal communication is limited, often indecipherable even to a trained ear. Imost associate her communications with what I would describe as knowing, softgrunts. She is able to walk but needs the assistance of a walker to help her on hertravels in and around the corridors and grounds of the institution. She can oftenbe found sitting somewhat apart from the others. On this day in the craft roomshe sits somewhat apart from the main activity quietly thumbing through amagazine, sometimes offering a slightly amused smile at some of the jocularityhappening nearby.I move to sit adjacent to her at her table and talk with her. Apart frompassing ‘hellos’ and shared smiles this is the first time I’ve actually sought to sitin close proximity to her. I feel I am overdue to build a relationship beyond themost superficial of pleasantries. I am curious to discern more of this person whoseems to be a little distant to others. I also want her to get to know me, todiscover more of me than the superficial impression she may have of a ratherbenign pastoral figure capable only of rather superficial interpersonal gestures.I offer a few comments concerning others in the room and matters arisingfrom the page she’s looking at in her magazine. She utters a few isolated words,nods and knowing grunts in response. She occasionally smiles in apparentagreement with a comment I make. There are times of silence but I don’t feelthey are awkward moments. Henrietta seems comfortable with me just beingthere. I value her gentle acceptance of me.