An introduction & poem
by Carol Lemen, FCO Placement Student
Hi, my name is Carol Lemen and I am a placement student with Family Council Ontario. I am a part time student working towards my Bachelor of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University. I am an older cis gendered woman who works full time for Toronto Employment and Social Services as a Caseworker and prior to that I worked for Opportunity for Advancement for eleven years as a Group Facilitator for women’s groups.
I have always had a love of learning and made the decision to return to Toronto Metropolitan University to complete my Bachelor of Social Work. When I applied to university I had no idea that we would be entering a pandemic which would mean that my courses would be virtual.
I have two adult daughters, and three grandchildren and one on the way. I also recently made the decision to have my mother move in with me as she is 91 and has dementia. I am her primary informal caregiver. She currently has 3 Personal Support Workers that come and go throughout the day to help her with toileting, dressing and eating.
I am excited to be completing my placement at FCO and will be working with Liane assisting her in researching and writing a document for new families entering Long Term Care.
In my spare time I enjoy puzzles especially the large piece puzzles as my eyesight is not what it used to be. I also write poetry and hope to one day see them in print.
Here is a poem that I wrote recently on homelessness and Dementia.
Annie is I
Written by: Carol Lemen
Annie is I
Born 1931
Dementia have I
Sitting in my chair all day not moving
Not even to pee
Incontinent am I
Cannot remember your name
Cannot remember the day
Dementia and homeless as I
Annie is I
Born 1931
Homeless have I
Wrapped in my blanket all day and night
Depends I need
Or a place where I can pee
Cannot remember where I live
Cannot remember the street
Homeless and lonely am I
Annie is I
Born 1931
Lonely have I
No one to visit or friends to have tea
Tokens I need
To ride the bus to keep me warm
Meet some friends
Not too many of us around
Lonely and broke am I
Annie is I
Born 1931
Broke have I
No money to pay for a phone
Phone card I need
To talk to some friends
If I could remember their names
No CPP never worked
Broke and ashamed am I
Annie is I
Born 1931
Ashamed have I
My fault to blame me
Hospital I need
Or PSW to care for me
All because
Homeless am I with
No money, no friends, no house, no bus
Dementia am I