Although I have never formally consulted as an expert, I will share a relevant experience.
While I completed my undergrad I had the privilege of working with a family with a disabled child. My role was almost solely to provide a reprieve for the family and an opportunity for the parents to connect with their other two children. This lead to a position with a company where my role was case managing a number of families with children with severe disabilities. At this company my role was much more involved in tailoring the supports and clinicians that would be on the child’s team and the duration based on his/her progress. These two programs truly form the backbone of what is available in Alberta.
These experiences enabled me to provide guidance to an acquaintance when I was asked about the system – which supports newly diagnosed children and their families. Although I wasn’t an expert on this child’s case I was able to provide the details and processes which governed ‘the system’. Often medical and paramedical supports can be difficult to navigate at best and inaccessible at worst. This child seemed to have fallen in blurred lines. The advice and overview I provided as an expert enabled this family to not only access services, but eventually feel comfortable parenting this challenging child with new tools and support. In this case, my experience worked well and I was successful as an expert. In large part due to my clear scope and direction to speak to the system and provide general advice. I was very open about my level of knowledge and had only the best intentions of getting this family support.
Hi Laura, thanks for sharing! Like William said, it sounds like a very rewarding experience. I think you summarized your experience well and clearly identified your role in the process – well done! -Chase
Hi.
I really enjoyed your post. It makes me recall my sister’s experience in her early teens, when she was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and it took my parents 3 years to get her the proper care she deserved. My parents came across a person such as yourself, that guided them in right direction, of which they could not have navigated through themselves. Such a great story – thanks for sharing.
Olga
That sounds like a very rewarding experience. I don’t know if I have that kind of patience, but it’s the kind of job that you can rest easy knowing that what you do is really helping somebody and actually doing some good in the world.