Ashleigh Thomas (34) is a trauma counsellor at the Union Hospital.
She chatted to the newspaper about the impact Covid-19 had on her life. She has been a trauma counsellor for two years and according to her, her career chose her.
“My close friend, Dalena, introduced me to her team of counsellors (11 of us in total) when I got back to South Africa after being a flight attendant in Dubai. I did some hands-on training and with my 12 years of experience in aviation, I had disaster management experience to help me along the way.
“I have always been in the service industry, this time around, as a frontline worker,” she said.
A day in the life of a trauma counsellor
Ashleigh works standby shifts at night and is available for emergencies.
“Every shift is different, but let’s say on a busy night, my phone can ring at 7pm and I will then work right through the night into the morning.
“As counsellors, we defuse stressful, emotional situations that could range from traumatic death, hijackings, rapes, domestic violence, stabbings, gunshots, overdoses and car accidents. You name it. We keep the patient and their families calm, we reassure, as well as keep families up to date on what is going on,” she said.
During the Covid-19 peak times and lockdown period, she was the one who communicated on video with family members of ill patients so they could see and talk to each other.
“For some, that was the very last bit of contact with each other,” Ashleigh said.
She also said that she looks after the staff by spoiling them with coffee and lots of love.
“We try to debrief and just add a bit of human touch to the chaos. Once I’m finished, I go back home, but at times I’ll get called back for another case. On a quiet shift, I may not get called at all.”
She said she always goes back to check on patients who are in ICU.
“I usually pray over them and talk to them, or play voice notes that families have sent, even if they are unconscious. I believe their spirits and souls are fully aware of what’s happening around them, and a familiar voice of encouragement can do wonders for recovery,” she explained.
Impact of Covid-19
Covid-19 motivated her to serve the community even more.
“It made me realise I have a role to play and that living in a little bubble only being concerned about my issues wasn’t going to be the route to take. It made me compassionate towards the brokenhearted, it made me want to do whatever I possibly could to step in and help,” she added.
Her biggest challenge was seeing so many deaths in a short space of time.
“Covid-19 caused fear, depression and anxiety. The real heroes are the people who still came to work after having their battles to fight.
“I wouldn’t say I have fears, but I dread the thought of losing the ones that are closest to me from this virus. We see the dark side of what it has done, the last thing you want is to see your family or closest friends suffer a horrible death. I think my family may have been worried about my health at times but fully supported my love and dedication to this calling.”
The biggest lesson she learnt through this time was that our time on earth is borrowed and very short.
“We have no control of when our time will run out, and that knowing where you are going to afterwards override any qualifications, degrees or status you hold on earth.
“It taught me that we were created to comfort and support each other regardless of who we are because we all have to experience loss at some point. Having a circle of support is vital. Knowing God deeply provides great comfort when you have to live through trauma,” Ashleigh said.
