The countdown begins......

So as usual on the MSc its been all go in the just over a month since I last posted. My friends wedding and week away with my husband were an absolute gift at the end of such a busy summer, with much walking on the beach and posh garden and castle visiting. It seems so long ago already!

I passed the assignment I'd handed in just before writing my last blog (phew!) and excitedly I got the job I had an interview for at the end of August - I won't be starting until late January, but all the paperwork has been processed and I can't wait to start working in community paediatrics again, this time as a therapist!

My excitement about my job has been cemented by absolutely loving my final placement with Solihull community paediatrics. I'm now 4 weeks in, half way through. All my placements have been brilliant but big shout out to this team - I have never felt so supported, so encouraged, so trusted, so gently gently pushed to be my best - they are a lovely talented team of SLTs and if I didn't already have a job I would be begging to work with them! :-)

This halfway point was marked by a slight feeling of overwhelm - I've been lucky enough to do so much - relatively independent observational assessments in special schools, telephone calls to feedback to parents, increasingly independent formal assessments in clinic, and I've loved it all. I think Friday's appointment finished me off though - for a start it was the first clinic appointment I'd done almost completely independently, but I was also brought face to face again with the struggles of those parents looking after children who are themselves struggling. And I get that and my heart broke just a little for this parent. I am so grateful for her and others though, who've allowed me to practice my skills and learn by working with them and their children (under the safety net of qualified staff of course). A couple of parents have been very patient with me.

So the countdown is on. 4 more weeks of placement with some really exciting opportunities planned, including training special school teachers - such a nice full circle after being a special school teacher myself and now training them in communication. After 2 weeks of work on my dissertation, 2 weeks on my dissertation poster presentation and then this rollercoaster ride is over! I can't wait, but I'll miss it too!