A Pat on the Back Does Not Go Unnoticed

In a time of budget cuts, civic unrest and uncertainty about your next week's paycheck, it was heart warming to receive a heartfelt e-mail from a RI RID member applauding his collegue.  RI RID member, Jon Henry, was caught between a rock and a hard place while searching for a team to work with him the other day.  He knew the meeting he was to interpret for was important, like all of our jobs, and he took it upon himself to reach out the interpreting community.  With the help of the RI Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, notice went out to local interpreters.  Another RI RID member, Robb Schmieggel was able to go the meeting and team for 3 hours, ensuring communication access for all members involved. 
As freelance interpreters, we don't have a break room to meet in or a white board of encouraging memos to share moments like this.  Jon's e-mail was a gentle reminder that we need each other to be successful.  He also wrote the word "Thank/s" 9 times (he was very thankful!).  Jon summed up the e-mail better than I could ever hope to express myself in a blog about RI interpreters...
"Thank you all, it's nice having an group of peers you can depend on and trust. RI should be proud of the interpreters we have in this small state.  Talented, caring and supportive interpreters who are able to come together to work as a team to provide beautiful services for our whole community."