Bruce Whealton

I am a writer, poet, and a social worker.  I have worked as a Clinical Social Worker in Wilmington, NC after getting my Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina in 1996.  I am someone who has a strong capacity for empathy and I have a great deal of compassion for others.  I particularly care about the most vulnerable in society, the little guy.   I was always a small person from very early in life.  So, "the little guy" in a way is literal for me.  



What matters most to me is making a connection and connecting with others.  I am passionate about work as a helping professional.  I am passionate about social justice, love for all, and kindness, gentle ways of interacting and consideration of feelings.  I have a profound capacity to understand the emotional content in any form of communication and this is what helps to demonstrate a sense of empathy toward others.  Empathy, I believe must be experienced and we should all seek to be understood and to understand others.  



I am fascinated by the very creative people and ideas that exist and are demonstrated within the world.  I am drawn to the outcasts and I hate the stigma that exists around mental illness and psychiatric disorders.  I am particularly concerned about poverty and homelessness.  I will never be satisfied until we create a society where life is respected through universal health care for every person such that no one has to fear for their life because they can't afford treatment or experience pain and discomfort in life.  Nothing less than full coverage of mental health care, emotional health care, and dental health care will be acceptable in my mind.