post

Hi Naomi,
There are some fabulous social workers out there but also some very ordinary
and even plain dangerous ones. I've had personal experience of all three
varieties. The good ones are willing to take on new information and apply
it, the dangerous ones do not listen no matter what. Both Morgan, myself and
Nina Berry (and probably others here) have had experience in advocating for
children and mothers who have had plain dangerous social workers. What I
have observed is that some individuals completely lose their ability to be
flexible or to think outside the box in any way so when they are thrown
something a little different they just dig in an stand their ground with
what they are familiar with...keep on pushing that square peg into the round
hole. 
Anyway, I agree with you completely that there needs to be more work
published in this area- not just in lactation journals but in medical, legal
and social work journals. 
On a personal note, we can announce the finalisation of the adoption of our
youngest daughter, Ga Ga, just one week and a half ago. Through the
incompetence of several social workers she experienced much trauma. Through
the advocacy of several sterling social workers she has the opportunity of
healing. As a family we are incredibly relieved. 
Karleen Gribble
Australia

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Naomi Bar-Yam
Sent: Wednesday, 30 June 2010 1:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [LACTNET] Morgan Gallagher's post

First, full disclosure, I am a social worker.

Social workers are advocates, that is what they do for individuals and  
communities. Advocacy is an essential part of our training. They want  
to do what is best and right for their clients, and work hard inside  
and outside the system to do so. Because of their training, social  
workers are often very creative thinkers about how to get their  
clients the services they need. It behooves those of us in the  
lactation community to educate and collaborate meaningfully with  
social workers (as individuals we work with and as a profession) for  
our individual clients and for the community as a whole.

Karleen commented that it would be important to publish this case  
study in JHL. I agree, however, I think we need to think more  
broadly.  Social workers don't read JHL. JHL has a limited audience  
and is largely written by and for people with medical training because  
LCs are people with medical training. As important as publishing in  
JHL, is publishing this case study in a social work and/or public  
health journal. Then we will begin to broaden the audience of  
professionals whom we are educating about the importance of lactation  
and from whom we have much to learn about advocacy.

Naomi

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