My first job out of college was a counselor for The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation in Miami, Fla.  This was about forty-five years ago and I had a revolving caseload of about eighty clients who were physically or emotionally challenged.  I would provide counseling, evaluation, job training and eventually place them in their desired occupation.  Employers sometimes had stereotyped images of these people and wouldn’t realize what valuable, productive, conscientious employees they would make.  Luckily my clients often broke through those images and became successful in their careers. I worked there for about three years before I became a writer and it was probably the most rewarding job I ever had.  I met my wife Wanda there, who was also a social worker.  Wanda went on to become a psychologist and yes she sometimes insists that I call her Doctor (it gives her an edge in arguments). I think that job as a counselor broadened my empathy and understanding and definitely helped my relationship with my mother as she got older.  I hope that showed in the film The Matchmaker.