A Face In The Crowd
Imagine the responsibility of coordinating the needs of 40 adults and children who can rarely speak for themselves. That’s the job of Carla Sherman, the lone social worker for Mur-Ci Homes, a residential facility in Hickory Hollow for children and adults with severe mental retardation and multiple disabilities. For 11 years, Sherman has labored on behalf of society’s most vulnerable citizens, including those with autism, cerebral palsy and seizure disorders. A graduate of McGavock High School and Trevecca Nazarene University, Sherman is equal parts administrator, advocate and caregiver. If an autistic child in her care is struggling in a Metro school special needs program, she determines whether the child should transfer. If an adult scratches his head until it bleeds, she helps fit him for a helmet, keeps his hands occupied and schedules an appointment with a psychiatrist or neurologist. She also completes reams of paperwork for each patient and compiles a comprehensive social and medical history for every resident in her care. Basically, Sherman, who has a master’s degree in psychology from MTSU, rarely gets a moment’s rest. But she seems to like it just fine. “You don’t come into this field expecting a lot of monetary rewards,” says Sherman, who’s as friendly as she is busy. “So for me the rewards are just seeing them smile and respond to me with recognition. And knowing that I come in here doing the best I can for folks who can’t speak for themselves.”
—By Matt Pulle
