Stephanie de Pelham discusses the ups and downs of social work
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Mar 23/01) - Imagine being forced to take a child from an abusive home.
Then visualize the apprehended child crying to return because, even though it's far from a healthy environment, it's home.
Add to that being jolted from your sleep by a phone call, only to pick up the receiver and hear the outraged parents curse at you.
Those are some of the realities Stephanie de Pelham faces in her job as a social worker.
de Pelham deals primarily with child protection matters and individual counselling. She has worked in Fort Simpson since 1990, and has the advantage of knowing most residents well.
"The drawback is I'm doing something that angers people if I'm apprehending their children," she said.
She sees those same resentful parents in the grocery store or at the post office.
"It creates a degree of tension... Who wants to apprehend children? But in a small community that becomes your role. That's who you are."
When the stress of the job gets to her, de Pelham takes solace in her family. She likes to get away with her husband and two children to her cabin at Sibbeston Lake, where there is no phone. She also takes refuge in stained glass work and gardening.
"I like to do that because there's an actual beginning, an end and a result," she explained.
Social work, on the other hand, doesn't always provide tangible progress or quick fixes. Sometimes it takes years for a social worker to witness measurable improvement.
Having three very supportive co-workers has been a blessing.
"I know I can up any one of my co-workers and say, 'Will you come with me?' and they will," she said. "It's one of the things that gets you through that week, through that day."
Yet there is no other way de Pelham can visualize getting through her days. She said the benefits of social work outweigh the grief.
She finds it humbling when a person confides in her for the first time. There are also occasions when a client will call to thank her for the difference she's made.
"I've always believed in the power of people from a very early age," she said. "Change can occur from inner abilities. I can be a catalyst to that change, but that's about it."
