Pain Induction Part 1

Written by Rinalda,

Over the next four weeks, you will receive 4 issues of Pain Induction by Rinalda,  Each is a continuation of a piece she wrote and has agreed to share with you here.  Rinalda's site

Part 1 begins..

ConLast week COSTATT had their health fair at NAPA and I was invited to hang out with Adepeju at the OMO and BestStart booth.  When I arrived lunch was served so I participated.  One of the persons sitting at my table (or was I sitting at hers?) was from St. Ann’s Hospital and I did not give her breathing space.  I wanted to know about this drive to take vagrants off the streets and dump them in her facility.  

She explained the difference between being mentally and socially displaced and I had to ask if the officials behind the drive are unaware of the difference.  She said she often wonders. We both agreed that the monies spent on public awareness campaigns via television should be redirected to better services allowing awareness to be spread by the man on the street based on the evidence he sees.  Now, now, if that is done then we won’t be playing politics, would we?  So at the price of maintaining her fixed income, she is stressed out with work that she does not need to do while those who could use more of her attention will never get it.

When I first entered the auditorium, the plainness that greeted me made me wonder if it was the right place.  There was a security guard and two ladies at a booth.  I enquired where was the health fair.  One told me that they were a part of it.  I adjusted my lenses (the ones in my head) then noticed that her t-shirt had a modest indication that she was from COSTATT.  She escorted me further in and I saw a drama in full swing, which I later learn was staged by the St. Ann’s folks geared at clearing up misconceptions about the mentally displaced. 

 I did not linger long enough to recognise that, it was my dining partner who advised me of such.  Around the corner from that performance were two Massage Therapists looking all professional with their fancy chairs working silently.  A few persons stood in line awaiting their turn.  I asked my escort where were they from and she said something about a ‘Light’ organisation that I did not get fully.  Then I found Adepeju and settled down to lunch while keeping an eye on the massages.  The Therapists could go up for the next Olympics.  Category: Synchronized Massage.  That’s a compliment.

Having stuffed my guts I ventured further in to visit a booth (Health Food Specialists Ltd) that had several Canadian-made products that were gluten free.  And guess what?  I saw herbal nicotine-free cigarettes geared at breaking the smoking habit.  Lollipops are a more attractive idea.  Anyway, someone is trying and must be compliment for the effort.  20 per pack for $20.  I thought that their variety of powdered protein was quite economical when compared to popular brands.  About half the price of one particular brand I know.  I then passed the Avon folks, but did not stop.  

They are good at their marketing, but I did not want anyone tinkering with my face, or taking my hand to rub a sample of this or that so that I could see how well it matches my complexion.  I’ve been slow-frying over the years walking about in the sun with olive oil on my skin.  At least 20 years.  My skin might rebel if I stop cooking it now.  And finally, I arrived at OMO.  It did not take 5 minutes for me to have a patron. Someone said something, and the next think I heard was: I’d like to have a massage.  I pulled a chair in front of the booth and got started.

My first client was familiar with massages.  She goes to a gym and the Instructor indulges her every now and then.  She had tried doing what was done to her on her mother and gotten only complaints.  I asked her to explain what she does.  Deep massages.  Okay.  I took her hand and demonstrated deep by gradually working my thumb into the flexor muscles.  Is this what you do?  No.  Can you feel thumb gently penetrating deeper into your muscles?  Yes.  And you think that your mother would appreciate this better?  Yes!  She would like that.  Good.  I returned to working her shoulders while she explained that the hard massages that she gets at the gym were best as they works well for her and she had honestly expected her mother to be appreciative.  

I explained that her mother is in a differently place physically and mentally and the pressure of the massage should be adapted to suit her otherwise she might develop an aversion and hastily say ‘No’ at any invitation to such.  I told her to think of massage as bonding time during which touching is done with love, otherwise she might start feeling rejected because her mother does not want to be touched by her.

Continued Nest Monday Pain Induction Part 2