While in PT school, I was called a chameleon.
This was meant as a derogatory name.
The person. Said that I wasn’t authentic and that I could fit in with any group, meaning I didn’t fit in anywhere.
I learned at a young age that I had to be able to fit in to survive.
My family transitioned from a gang war territorial neighborhood to a farming community.
My dad was an alcoholic and I was raised in a bar or VFW.
I had to learn how to act around adults, gang members, murderers, drug dealers, country folk and farmers.
This has helped me immensely in life because I don’t feel insecure around too many groups. I don’t feel there to be a communication block around others. I can be empathetic to multiple groups.
As a PT, it is easier for me to put my own biases aside to help the person in front of me and I am quicker to u defat and the biases and experiences of the patient in front of me.
I learned at a young age to keep my mouth shut until I understand the situation.
Back then it was to maintain the peace and avoid conflict.
Now it is to gain trust and improve the therapeutic alliance.