I don't expect to be treated like a fool

I woke up with this song in my head:

Well I'm accustomed to a smoother ride
Or maybe I'm a dog that's lost his bite
I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more
I don't expect to sleep the night
Some people say a lie is just a lie
But I say the cross is in the ballpark
Why deny the obvious child?
~ Paul Simon, The Obvious Child

Specifically this line:
   I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more

I had physical therapy yesterday. A few weeks back I began outpatient (versus at home) PT at the Spaulding Rehab location within the local YMCA.

For the first time ever, I’m experiencing a real personality clash with a physical therapist. The last one, after my last surgery, was very nice and personable—I just didn’t like that she told me that I’d never walk without a walker/rollator again. Maybe I won’t but I’m not giving up on my dream in advance. We talked about this and came to understand each other’s positions more clearly.

The problem with this new PT feels less easily solvable.

I bring my tablet (with the voice-to-text app LiveTranscribe running) to our sessions to facilitate communication. What I’ve found is that Amy repeats herself incessantly. Whether she’s explaining a new exercise or some safety measure, Amy goes on for absolute paragraphs. Each sentence is much like the one before with slightly different wording or, occasionally, a new bit of info.

I can’t just tune her out—what if her next sentence includes an important new instruction or fresh, valuable info? This is a rare occurrence BUT it happens. It’s all so exhausting. Maybe she hasn’t ever had a deaf patient before or simply believes I’m stupid or slow-witted.

Amy needs a good, brutal editor.

Her communication style reminds me of a few unfortunate teachers I’ve had. They’re lecturing as though in a large, packed auditorium versus a classroom of 20 students. Despite being one on one, Amy orates as opposed to engaging with or listening to her patient…me.

In yesterday’s session, she actually scolded me as though I was a willfully misbehaving teen. (my crime? I didn't follow her directions as fully and consistently as directed)

I figure I’ve got a few options here.

• Accept and jump over the hurdles of her poor and rude communication style. Just try to pull out the important bits from the firehose of restated info and directions. Try to ignore her wretched school marm personality.
  

• Find out the name of her supervisor and request a different PT. The reason? Differing communication styles which impede my ability to get as much out of the sessions as needed.

• Quit. I’ve been doing pretty damned intense PT for the past five years. So far, Amy’s not giving me any new exercises or practices. I can find all my old PT notes and do this shit on my own.

• OR I can talk with Amy. I could diplomatically attempt to discuss our communication breakdown—try to find congruity. This seems to be the most direct and adult way to go BUT I don’t have any evidence of her ability to listen.

  I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more

Jen is going to call my old at-home PT, Judy, and ask her advice. Before I just quit (which is the option I’m favoring most this morning), I want to get more input.