MY CAPTIONER

One of the aspects I really enjoy about workplace CART or one-on-one CART is the relationships you get to build with the client.  So many of the larger jobs are a one-off where you caption a large event or conference and then that’s it until next year.  But these small, often workplace, jobs are more regular, and you get to really know your clients.  Often you become more than just a captioner, you become a friend at the workplace lunch or morning tea where you can assist the client to join in discussions with their co-workers.

I’ve sometimes had the honour of captioning alongside people at some of their hardest moments and other times have been able to be there for their greatest achievements.  It’s not for the faint-hearted as you never know what each day might bring.  But it is a privilege.  It is rewarding.  I’ve recently seen the quote, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”  It’s true:  it does make me want to do my job better!

At a recent job a client introduced me as “My captioner”.  I was so chuffed she was willing to take ownership of me and my work.  It’s certainly better than the client claiming they’d never seen me before and had no clue what I was doing there!  Being helpful or giving a smile or friendly conversation costs me very little but the thrill of the client allowing me to be part of their life moments is worth so much more than monetary payment.  It adds something to my life.  This is the real reward of the job.  (The free lunches aren’t bad either!)