Semester 2 begins

With the beginning of a semester comes new clients for practicum.  To begin the semester of practicum each of us clinicians makes a phone call and confirms that the client is going to attend their scheduled appointment.

I went to make my phone calls.  My friend at the front desk gave me the phone numbers for my 2 clients.  I called the first one and confirmed with no problem.  The second phone call didn't go so well.  I was trying to call my older female client, who we will call Rose.  Rose is a grandma who comes to speech therapy to work on memory, attending to task, and functioning in everyday life.  So I dialed the number and I heard a woman's voice say, "Hello, this is Rose".  I went into my spiel.  "Hi, this is Hope Brooks, I 'm calling from the UNT Speech and Hearing Clinic.  I will be the clinician working with you during your speech appointments this semester."  She said she didn't come for speech appointments.  Rose said she came for hearing aid appointments but not speech.  I thought that maybe she didn't realize her sessions were called speech sessions so I tried again.  "Do you remember the times you got together with _______ (her clinician last semester) and worked on memory and played card games?"  Rose said she had no memory of that.  At that point I remember that we usually coordinate things with her husband so I ask, "Can I speak to your husband?"  To which she replied "Oh honey, I'm a widow".  I looked up to see my friend behind the desk waving frantically at me and signaling for me to end the phone call.  Turns out she gave me the phone number for the wrong Rose. :)  I did manage to confirm the other appointment.  Thankfully both Roses were delightful people and very understanding.

Here's to a great second semester!  At least it started with a laugh. :)