working here and there

For those of you who don't know, I contract as needed at a local rehab hospital doing speech therapy.  I worked more than I usually do over Thanksgiving because I was in town and the full time SLPs wanted off for the holidays.  My patients are pretty funny.  For example...

Me: For this activity, you have thirty seconds to give as many answers as you can to my questions. Are you ready?
Patient: Yes. Well yes. How many answers do you want for "Are Your Ready?"
Me: I'm glad to see you back to your ornery self this morning.
Patient: I'm only following your directions, ma'am.
Me: Ok, here we go- What are some things that bite?
Patient: **5 second delay** WOMEN.
Me: **waiting for other answers, smiling** Anything else?
Patient: Nothing comes to mind. 
Me: So, I'm a woman. Do you think I bite?
Patient: Oh maybe. Depends on your mood. **smirk**
Me: **roll eyes** Anything else that bites?
Patient: Oh... cats... dogs... and an assortment of other animals. That's enough.
Me: How about any small critters?
Patient: ...insects, I suppose. Like spiders or something. That's enough.
Me: Oh really?
Patient: Yea, all this talk about biting makes me nervous. **smirk**
**Both laugh**

Good times...

Lots of my patients try to hide their deficits with humor or a sweet smile.  Others get downright belligerent (the above patient often swings between sassy and belligerent). I've been enjoying the challenge of helping these adults, though.  My favorite thing about my profession is the variety.  In 3.5 years post graduation I have worked with the under 3 population (2 years full time), school age kids with mild articulation issues (I contracted those, too, for awhile), and adults with acquired speech/language/swallowing/cognition issues.  It's definitely not boring!