It has been quite a while since I wrote a blog post, but the
time has come to begin posting again. I want to thank those who reached out to
me and asked “when is the next post?” your interest in my blog and the topic of
social work and sports was and still is very inspiring to me. I thought I would
start my first blog post back with an update on what I have been doing and some
highlights of my trip to London, England.
As I stated in my last post, I would be traveling through a
study abroad program. Taking part in a program abroad was undeniably one of the
best experiences of my life, being in London, England when it was preparing to
be an Olympic city was something I will never forget. The knowledge and
friendship gained will last a lifetime. After my flight arrived, the mode of
travel was by bus or train (“The Underground”) and the occasional cab when we
went out at night. I must say the public transportation in London will rival
any large city’s transportation system here in the United States. We also did a
lot of walking I lost some pounds with our daily activities. We stayed at Roehampton University in their
dorms or as the Brits call them ‘flats”. As far as the food, no notable places to mention
sorry to say. I took a day trip to the All England Championships, Wimbledon. I took
in the grounds and a tennis match. I can check off eating strawberries and
cream from my bucket list.
It was great to meet others from all over the world that
have an interest in sport whether it was sociology, marketing, business, etc. I
think we all learned from each other. I was the only social worker in the group
as well as one of two African-Americans. Our day was spent with three hour
lectures then two to three hour site visits that correlated to that day’s
class. Some of the topics covered were Sport, Culture, and Globalization -
Globalization Debriefing - Visa Europe and Sport - Sport, Race, & Britishness
and Funding the Olympics. After that
day’s requirements were fulfilled we then explored and did sightseeing all over
England.
We had quite a bit of assigned reading before we arrived to
London. Much of the reading was on the globalization of sport, the business
side of sport and on culture and the correlation of sport. This would prove to be the foundation of our learning during
lectures. We worked in small groups and
teams of two for many presentations throughout our time in class. I am proud to report my partner and I
were runners –up for best presentation! The voting was done by our fellow
students. Taking part in this experience left me with memories I will always cherish.
Being in the program pushed me in ways I did not think possible. I returned home even more committed to what
has really become my life’s work, which is researching and working with athletes
from my prospective as a Sports Social Worker.
Returning home I had two semesters to complete in my
Addictions Study Program. I also completed a full-time internship at a
methadone clinic where I worked with people recovering from addictions which
included heroin. I worked in the capacity as drug counselor. I worked with clients
in groups as well as individually. I officially completed the program this past
May. Making the decision to pursue
education in substance abuse and addictions is a wonderful asset in helping my
clients. Having specialized knowledge equips me to be a better clinician.
After I completed my Addictions Program I had the opportunity
and privilege to speak at four conferences on the topic of social work and
sport. My first speaking engagement was in June at the International Sport and
Society Conference here in Chicago. My topic was on the Mental Health Risk
Factors of Athletes. This past October I
spoke twice at the National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter
Conference. I was asked to speak at their very first ‘Rapid Confab’ format as
well as a full length workshop. Out of seventy-five speakers the NASW choose
eight speakers to take part in their two day Rapid Confab event, four speakers in day one and
four speakers in day two. I was one of the eight and was the first speaker on day
one. My topic was Student-Athletes: A Vulnerable Population. The way it works
is the speaker is given 15 minutes to speak on their topic and then the speaker
gives the group a question to discuss for 15 minutes, after that, the
next speaker will speak for 15 minutes and then give a question until all are four speakers
are done. It is a great way to learn about different topics very quickly. The
next day of the conference I was scheduled to present my full length workshop
on Social Workers’ Role with Student-Athletes. I received a great response from
the attendees. A day later I traveled to
Lansing, Michigan to speak at the Michigan School Social Workers Association Conference;
two days later I spoke at the Illinois School Social Worker Association
Conference. Along with all of that I am working and growing in my private
practice.
This past year and a half has been a very busy time for me
with research, speaking, writing and building my practice; through these
experiences and accomplishments I have grown more focused on achieving the goals
I have set for myself.
So that is what I have been doing.
More stuff to do…
Natalie Graves, AM, LCSW
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