Page 2 - MidWeek Kauai - Feb 9, 2022

2 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK FEBRUARY 9, 2022
with Terrina Wong
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‘Talking Story’ To Empower
“You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” — Brené Brown
Dominic Inocelda
PHOTO COURTESY TERRINA WONG
counters with extraordinary people who transform lives through kindness, compassion and humility in engaging with those who experience colossal personal struggles.
Dominic said with character- istic gentleness, “and I must respond.”
A t the celebratory brunch with client Mr. J and colleague Dominic Inocelda, Mr. J exuded contentment and self-assurance, an unbeliev- able contrast to his demeanor
We had discovered several individuals needing care, but no one like Mr. J, an elderly immigrant who had lived alone for many years. Without in- come, facing eviction and with potentially fatal complications from a medical condition, he was isolated and helpless.
tions but also felt his affirming goodwill and appreciation of each person’s journey. He knew that no one wishes to be alone in a struggle. Where, I wondered, did such empathy come from?
By talking story with Mr. J, Dominic evoked so much trust and sense of belonging that Mr. J became an equal partner in helping himself. It was a remarkable move to self-sufficiency.
a year and a half earlier. Dominic, “retired” after 35 years of social work, and joined me and the Pacific Gateway Center staff during the pandemic to provide meals and social services for the homebound. The nonprofit center empowers immigrants, refugees and the marginalized to become self-sufficient. Such work involved me in clients’ innermost pain and anxieties — and brought en-
Certainly, Dominic’s exper- tise in averting eviction, secur- ing rent and utility funds, and establishing medical support were significant in restoring balance to Mr. J’s life, but his caring attention to Mr. J showed me how to approach a person’s vulnerability with respect for that person’s dig- nity. I observed Dominic’s ac-
You can see why such a col- league inspires and transforms my work each day — and why all three of us were celebrating with brunch.
Dominic recounted a plan- tation childhood with his pa- ternal grandparents, where everything was relational.
Terrina Wong is deputy di- rector of social and immigra- tion services at Pacific Gate- way Center. She “retired” after having served 35 years in global education working with international programs and global issues.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr.
“You would walk along the street, talk story with people.” “Talking story” meant recog- nizing that each individual de- served attention.
“I see people as worthy,”
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each num- ber can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest). Answers are on page 7
RATING: GOLD
Fire &
FEEL THE POWER
04.02.22
Island School’s 43rd Annual Gala Auction
Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort