Human interaction is a complex phenomenon made even more interesting by the setting in which it takes place. In my last entry I told about starting a student council at the school I attend. My co-founder and I went room-to-room first period introducing ourselves and our ideas for the council and inviting students to add their own via our suggestion box. The first written suggestion we received was from a student who blasted us for being demanding and insensitive to the privacy of others by invading her classroom and requesting participation. Wow. Thanks for sharing. Now see if you can fit any more of your hefty issues through that suggestion slot.
At the same time that week, I was attempting to line up physical therapy appointments at the orthopedist’s office where my broken arm had been treated. The cast was removed and the doctor wrote a prescription for PT to aid in my healing. His PT staff evaluated me for treatment and the request for subsequent visits was submitted to my insurance company for approval. Since we just switched coverage to a new carrier, I asked the PT receptionist what the protocol was. I’m not omniscient, but sometimes I can tell right away that someone is either having a bad day or just doesn’t like me.
PT LADY: What do you mean ‘how does this work?’ We make appointments for you and you come.
OSV: I understand that, I’m just wondering how long it takes to get approved.
PT LADY: All different times depending on your insurance. There’s no way to tell.
OSV: Well, since it’s one of the major carriers and we’re new to their plan, maybe you can give me an idea based on your experience whether they respond quickly or take their time with approvals.
PT LADY: I think I already told you. There’s no way to tell.
Alrighty then. The phone rang and she answered it in the most pleasant manner possible after which she smiled genially at the patient behind me since I had become invisible. I was forced to accept the evidence that it was inexplicably ME.
One of my quirks is that I like to be liked. I’ve explored it in therapy, this desire to feel accepted even by people who aren’t interested in acceptance, and although it speaks volumes about my needs and fears, over time I’ve relegated this particular flaw to the blessing-and-curse pile. That being said, I can still discern when I remind someone of the mother who didn’t love them enough, the daughter who questions everything they say, or the high school classmate who stole their boyfriend. And then I have to settle in and realize it’s not just about me.
I did give it one last try though because therapy is just a suggestion. After several days and no word about the insurance approval, I had a phone call with her in which she was so noticeably rude that I asked what it was about me she didn’t like. The question startled her and her manner softened. She didn’t give me an answer but she didn’t give me any more shit either.
The approval arrived and I went for my first PT session. On my way out, I stopped to schedule another visit and I noticed the walls behind her desk were covered with children’s artwork and she wore a wedding ring. So either she was a mom or she was holding kidnapped children in her basement and forcing them to draw. I took a shot.
OSV: I’ll see you on Monday and enjoy the weekend. It’s supposed to be warm and sunny for Mother’s Day.
PT LADY: How nice for you.
Okay, NOW I give up.
Let’s all give it up for Daughter’s Featured Fotos taken at the We Are Family Foundation’s 6th Annual Celebration Gala at the Hammerstein Ballroom
Chic with Slash
Patti LaBelle
Mickey Dolenz
a little bass
a little dance