I was inspired over the weekend about the idea of planning. Yes, planning.  As case managers we talk all the time about planning, and yet its true meaning and significance is sometimes hard to see – and even more difficult to describe to an audience broader than our professional colleagues. What inspired me over the weekend, and the story that I want to share with you, has absolutely nothing to do with case management at all. It has to do with HORSE management! If you had the opportunity to watch the Kentucky Derby, or even see a replay of the race, you will know what I am talking about. What unfolded was truly inspirational.

A 3-year-old horse whose name is “Mine That Bird” (not too sure what that means, but it really doesn’t matter), and who cost just $9,500, was a 50-1 underdog to win the race. As a matter of fact, the trainer was confident that he might even reach 100-1 before the call to post. It was more likely that he would finish LAST than have a chance to win. But win, he did! It was an amazing site to see this little horse squeeze into a spot between another horse and the fence, and leave the million dollar horses with dirt in their faces. What was even more amazing was to hear the jockey talk about the race in the aftermath of one of the biggest upsets in Kentucky Derby history. The jockey, who was asked if he had been worried about Mine That Bird fitting into such a small hole between horses, replied that this was part of his PLAN! He knew going into the race that the horse was small but fast, that the other horses could only run so fast for so long and that, when they started to falter, he would call on his horse (meaning that he would “ask” the horse) to go faster.  He stated that he was confident from training that Mine That Bird would respond. He did, and they won. Plan put into practice; magnificent results! What’s the point of all this horse talk? Planning, that’s the point. We have a great responsibility within our project to leave the clients we serve with a plan, if they have not fully recovered once we are done. Right now, the best thing we can do for each one of our clients is to ensure that our planning with them is sound, efficient, and effective, so they may be able to continue the work of recovery long after our relationship with them has ended. We do not know what the next evolution of MCMC will be, or even if there will be another evolution. What we do know, however, is that it is our responsibility and honor to deliver a service to the client that is extremely valuable. A plan, a way forward, a path that they can follow as they continue to overcome obstacles and do what many say cannot be done: win a race in which you might be considered a 50-1 underdog. Katrina did its best to create underdogs of the clients we serve; lets help show them the way to the finish line.

Onward,

Stephen