Social worker taking care of grandfather decides to get his PhD after aunt demands he only be taken care of by a doctor: ‘I'm getting my doctorate just to spite her’

Advertisement

Got my doctorate

My stepdad has a much larger age gap with his siblings, which makes my aunt about the same age as me. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in veterinary medicine, and good for her. I
Cheezburger Image 10652048896
earned a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) because that was all I needed at the time for my career, and I had a lot going on in my life.
via justvibes189
Fast forward several years: my grandfather, who was a veteran, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and needed all the help he could get. I was helping him navigate the
via justvibes189
VA, Medicare, home health services, and other aspects of his care. As a veteran myself, I was already familiar with the VA, and as a master's- level social worker, I knew a thing or two about coordinating these services.
via justvibes189
Cheezburger Image 10652049408
In the middle of all of this, my aunt started arguing with me. She insisted that someone with a "Doctor" title should really be in charge,
via justvibes189
even though she was fighting against her own father's wishes and making the situation much more difficult.
via justvibes189
I finally said, "You know what? I'm getting my doctorate just to spite her." My grandfather was so proud that he bragged about it to the whole family.
via justvibes189
My greatest achievement wasn't just earning my Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.); it was that my grandfather was able to see me graduate and that I was able to help care for him at the end of his life.
via justvibes189
Cheezburger Image 10652049664
PeorgieT75 Should have told her you'd let her know if your grandfather needed deworming.
via PeorgieT75
_anotherstarrynight_ Congratulations! I also got a doctorate out of spite 10/10 would do it again. Also I think it's lovely that you did this to help your grandfather. You're good people.
via _anotherstarrynight_
TurbulentDebate6685 Is this the spite doctorate support group? I've been looking all over for you guys! My husband told me I was too old (36), over the hill, I would never make it and I would never make a major contribution to the literature. Ahem: PhD, 8 textbooks, and Professor Emerita.
via TurbulentDebate6685
burnermcburnerstein with social workers is picking fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel.
via burnermcburnerstein
Like 80% of the skill set is engaging with dysfunctional systems and finding grey areas/loopholes to getting sh done. The other 20% is ability to weaponize underestimation.
via burnermcburnerstein
Primary-Vehicle7079 Congratulations! This is no small task. I should know. Im about to do my MSW too. Its a ton of work. You did it! Be proud...and spiteful!
via Primary-Vehicle7079
Flux_My_Capacitor I'd be like "Aunt Mabel, you look at dog butts all day long. Please sit down."
via Flux_My_Capacitor
BellLopsided2502 I have 2 spite degrees as well. Congratulations and cheers!
via BellLopsided2502
Sidneyreb Your aunt equates a Ph.D. in veterinary medicine with deep understanding of red tape involving social work? I hope you keep a spray bottle of water handy when she's around, an animal's bad behavior needs to be trained out.
via Sidneyreb

Tags

Scroll Down For The Next Article