My definition of success is very simple. When I get up the morning, I say "Thank you God for another sunrise and a new day."
I met Dr. Ken Blackman at the recent NCMHCO Conference in Raleigh and was really inspired by him sharing the wonderful work he has done as a peer trainer and his peer work being done with veterans. I asked him if he would take a few moments to share with me and and peers in NC his heart and important peer work.
1) As a peer, how do you define success?
My definition of success is very simple. When I get up the morning, I say "Thank you God for another sunrise and a new day."
On my knees, I say a very simple prayer: "God, thank you for another day. Please help me use it wisely! Help me be of maximum use to You and my fellow man."
At the end of the day, (if I have done that to the best of my ability) I have had a successful day.
Dr. Ken Blackman
You can find his professional experience listed here in his -->Resume Final MH-SA Jul 2014
2) What is a typical day and week for you?
I do not know the best way to answer that question because my days are different almost every day and every week. The closest thing to a typical day is when I teach the Peer Specialist Class.
I am out of bed at 6:30 AM. and the coffee is brewed. After morning prayer and meditation, I sit on my back porch with my coffee and my dog and (most days) with my wife. I watch and listen to the birds. After breakfast, I head to the college in time to be there before 800 a.m. When I teach in Jacksonville, the time moves up and I have to leave for Jacksonville by 6:30 a.m. Class runs until 5:00 PM. I usually spend 15-30 minutes after class with one or two of the students and then head home. Class runs Monday through Friday.
I always have homework. In the weeks prior to the class, the beginnings are always hectic because I try to interview all the potential students on the phone. Many of them are interviewed (in person) prior to acceptance into the course.
3) What advice do you have for peers just entering the workforce?
Dress up and show up. Volunteer where you can be passionate about making a difference.
4) What experiences have you found most rewarding?
Prior to coming to Wilmington, I opened and operated an half-way house for men. The most rewarding part is the miracle when they finally realized they were alive and they wanted to be clean and sober.
5) What keeps you inspired to "keep at it"?
I see miracles every day in my work and in my travels. Also, when I meet with former students or men I met in prison 8-10 years ago who now have their lives back.
6) What are the challenges and emotional issues do you see that veterans are facing?
We could talk hours on tough issues facing veterans and barely scratch the surface. We have several very different groups of veterans in our regions. We have a few Korean War veterans. We have many Vietnam veterans. We also have way too many veterans from the various "conflicts"in various parts of the world. Each of these groups of men and women have some problems and challenges unique to their personal history. The VA is starting to understand some of the problems which plague their efforts to help these men and women. As a result of this great need, they are training and hiring peers to support them.
7) What positive effects are peers having towards providing support to veterans?
The VA has recognized the value of Peers and are using them in several areas with a lot of success. The man who runs the Peer Specialist Program for the VA is a very competent and passionate supporter of Peers. Nothing happens quickly in the VA system especially when it comes to something as new as Peers.
I'm so glad the VA is working towards peers helping peers. My father was in the Army in WWII. He needed help but didn't get it because they didn't know vets needed help.
Marianne Clayter
Posted by: Marianne Clayter | 07/08/2014 at 05:22 PM