Message from the Director - Mary McCluskey - 7/21/08

        Many thanks to the American Massage Therapy Association Wisconsin Chapter

        (AMTA-WI)  for publishing my article.  Here it is in its entirety:

What a Day

There is a different feel to this morning.  It is Saturday and, although I enjoy my usual weekend espresso and French toast, I know I will not have the day off.  I am going to work.  My drive is longer and I must stay attentive because instead of my normal short and easy backroads jaunt to work, I am heading to the city on the freeway.  It’s okay.  The traffic is light on Saturday morning.

People here need my skills badly.  One client has been in a fire and his hands and back are scarred from the burns.  His young body is physically healed, but the trauma has left him stoically quiet.  He breathes shallowly at first, but he melts into the table as my hands move carefully over his muscles. 

Another client lifts heavy boxes all day for her job.  Her arms hurt.  I can tell she dressed up to see me because, from her very professional appearance, I wouldn’t have guessed that she works in a warehouse.  Today her neck, shoulders, and forearms get fresh blood supply and well-deserved rest. 

I am encouraged to brush up on my Spanish.  Communicating with each client has never been more important to me because now I have to work at it.  I am amazed at how much I can communicate nonverbally and with my limited Spanish.  Never before have my palpatory skills and intuition about my work been more useful to me.  I make a mental note to create a Spanish cheat sheet for my reference.

The two appointments fly by quickly as there is so much work to do in each one.  I am focused and strong, giving my gifts of health, skill, and caring to each client.

Both clients express gratitude.  The young man healing from the fire is quiet, while his parents almost cry, as they hug me in thanks. 

I add my notes to the others in the files and I don’t know if I’ll see these people again.  But I know I really made a difference today for them, and I contributed as part of the team who will try to help. 

I drive home a different way and stop at the natural food store to stock up, but also to treat myself to something tasty and healthy.  I feel deep satisfaction for using my massage skills today purely to benefit someone else in need.

This morning was different indeed.  I went to work as a volunteer massage therapist.  My clients could not have paid my usual rate, but they needed me just the same.  I am thankful to have been the one to help them today.  I have always said this is great work to do and then you get paid too!  Today this is just great work to do and I am happy to rest in that alone.

Mary McCluskey, MA, WCMT

Director the Wisconsin School of Massage Therapy

Volunteer Massage Therapist

CORE/El Centro

A Natural Healing Center in the heart of Milwaukee’s Hispanic neighborhood.

I really hope CORE/El Centro gets some new volunteers from this little ditty!

Also, I thought you all might enjoy seeing photos from my very exciting Sunday afternoon recently.  My family and I were invited to take a little flight with my dad's neighbor, Rick.  My dad had the privilege of helping Rick build this plane and as a treat Rick took us all up for a flight.  It was amazing!  The earth was so beautiful from a few thousand feet above!