People are Resilient and Come Back from Tragedies But Not Everyone Heals on the Same Timeline

People are Resilient and Come Back from Tragedies But Not Everyone Heals on the Same Timeline.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings and we heard some amazing stories about people being resilient and strong one year later. I even shared some of the photos on my blog because I thought it was inspirational to see how strong people can be! I think it's great to spread a positive mental health message through the media when we often times just hear the negative. However.... not everyone has healed. Some people are still suffering from the trauma of the Boston Marathon Bombings especially on the one year anniversary.

Anniversaries can be hard! I know first hand how hard anniversaries of a tragic event can be. Although I don't compare my fires to the Boston Marathon Bombings (how could I?), I do understand how unbearable the emotions of a tragic day can be. Human beings are resilient. No matter what the trauma, people have a tendency over time to bounce back and recover from trauma or tragedy. It is great to focus on the positive stories. But let's not forget about those that are still hurting! Because while human beings do have a tendency to bounce back, human beings can also be hurt in huge ways and for prolonged periods of time!

I can guarantee that there are people still hurting one year after the bombings. While media coverage one year later in an attempt to highlight the positive stories is great, it also brings back the memories and emotions from that difficult day. There are likely people who have struggled for the past year and find the one year anniversary to be a real challenge to get through. These people will likely cry, mourn and possibly struggle with symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The hardest part about this is that people who are hurting may not talk about it, but they are out there. I read an article recently that referred to these people as the silent injuries of the Boston Marathon Bombings and that's probably pretty accurate. Many times when people are struggling with memories of a trauma they won't talk about it because it's too painful. These people include the injured but also very likely include people that may not have been physically injured in the bombings but they were injured nonetheless. They may have lost a loved one, feared for a loved one while trying to find them, witnessed the bombing first hand but were far enough out of harms way to not be physically injured. They may have been volunteers assigned to work in the finish line area, health care workers assigned to assist in the medical tent that day, paramedics caring for those that were injured, police officers trying to find those responsible for the evil event or spectators who witnessed the bombings and didn't hesitate to jump in and help the injured. Many people were affected by the tragic events on 4/15/13. Not everyone has healed. The healing process can take time...

It's okay not to be okay about the Boston Marathon Bombings. It's important to remember just because you don't fit the image of the smiling person on the news talking about how they have recovered from the tragedy doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. It's okay to admit that you may have been injured by the events on 4/15/13. It's okay to admit that it has been hard. It's okay to admit that the one year anniversary is particularly hard. Everyone who has lived through a trauma understands on some level how you feel. Healing takes time. For some it takes longer than others. There is no timeline for healing.

Whether it's the Boston Marathon Bombings, the recent hate crime shootings in Johnson County, Kansas or some other unspeakable tragedy that has you hurting please know that you are not alone. If you need to talk, call a family member or friend. Reach out to someone. If you don't have someone to call (or are afraid to call someone you know) please call the number listed below. Your call is confidential. Coming from someone that has felt pain that seemed unbearable I can say with certainty that it helps to talk to someone, anyone who is willing to listen. If you prefer, they have a chat line you can use instead of making a phone call. To learn more visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline page at:  http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. This site is not just for those that may be feeling suicidal but for ANYONE  who is struggling and needs to talk.

If you are a runner and want to participate in a virtual run to show support for Boston please follow this link:  http://www.runjunkees.com/

Good Luck to all those running the Boston Marathon on 4/21/14. The world will be watching and cheering!

Remembering Boston one year later - April 15, 2013

Today is the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. What strength and perseverance Boston has shown us since that day! Photographer Robert Fogarty did a message-on-skin photo series set on Boylston Street that catches the strength of some of those impacted that fateful day:

 

To read the article that goes with the photos above follow this link:  http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/photographer-captures-portraits-of-boston-marathon-survivors?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-News-_-DearWorldStory.

Thank you survivors for showing us your strength and resilience! God bless you as you continue to heal! 

March is Red Cross Month

I request that during that month (March) our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.

–President Franklin D. Roosevelt, first Presidential Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month, 1943

Each year, the president of the United States proclaims March “Red Cross Month” to honor the Red Cross mission. It as a chance to honor the everyday heroes who help the Red Cross fulfill that mission every day.

Every nine minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to people in need, thanks to heroes like you. It's easy to get involved in helping to effect change in your community. Volunteers can give blood, donate their time and talents, or make financial contributions. Nationwide, more than 500,000 volunteers make a difference through Red Cross services. You can be one of them!

To view some of the stories of everyday heroes like you who support the Red Cross follow this link: http://www.redcross.org/about-us/red-cross-month. 

Here are just a few examples of assistance Red Cross volunteers provided this month across the nation:

March 5, 2014: Red Cross estimates 50 families displaced, lost everything in large apartment fire on Detroit's west side.

March 25, 2014: Red Cross volunteers responded to the state of Washington to assist residents affected by the devastating mudslide:

March 26, 2014: Volunteers assist residents and rescue/first responders at the devastating 9-alarm fire in Bostons Back Bay neighborhood that took 2 firefighters lives:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. Whether you donate funds, donate blood or volunteer, the Red Cross depends on your support to make a difference in communities across the country.

I ran across this video recently. If you know me, you know I am a Red Cross volunteer and very proud to be one! But I am also a recipient of Red Cross services. On February 23, 2012 I lost everything in an apartment fire that the Shawnee Fire Department calls the worst fire in Shawnee, KS history. I happened to be on call that night as a Disaster Action Team member for the Red Cross and while my fellow volunteers will call me a hero for assisting other residents with paperwork while experiencing my own loss, it's the volunteers there that night that are the heroes! They kept me calm during what was by far the worst moment of my life (I not only lost all my possessions but my kitty Cosmo perished in the fire and my kitty CJ was severely burned.) When everyone else had been helped, I was heading towards the door when another volunteer stopped me. She said "we haven't taken care of everyone yet." I was dumbfounded at what she said next, "We haven't taken care of you!" I was so exhausted emotionally about my kitty's that I hadn't thought much about my needs. Linda made sure I received assistance for food and clothing (I already had a place to stay with a friend so shelter wasn't needed)....And the next day, I received numerous calls from other Red Cross volunteers including our Mental Health providers to make sure I was okay physically and emotionally. So when I saw this video it brought tears to my eyes because it not only represents what I am so very fortunate to do - Volunteer for the Red Cross - but also it reminds me of the night Red Cross volunteers where there for me. Red Cross volunteers truly are Angels Among Us! I hope you enjoy the video.

If you have any trouble viewing the video from blogger, here is the you tube link:  http://youtu.be/WgPA-jWTOm4

Praying for Boston - Boston Mourns Two Fallen Firefighters

Boston is again in hearts and prayers as they mourn the loss of 2 brave firefighters who lost their life fighting a large fire on 3/26/14. Firefighters Micheal R. Kennedy and Lt. Edward J. Walsh died when they became trapped in the basement while fighting a fire in an apartment building in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Please take a moment to remember these heroes! 

This combination made with undated photos released by the Boston Fire Department via Twitter shows firefighters Michael R. Kennedy, left, and Lt. Edward J. Walsh, who were killed Wednesday, March 26, 2014, when trapped the basement while fighting a fire in an apartment building in Boston. Kennedy, 33, a Marine Corps combat veteran was assigned to Ladder 15, and had been a firefighter for more than six years. Walsh, 43, and a father of three, was assigned to Engine 33, and had been a firefighter for almost a decade. (AP Photo/Boston Fire Department)

Boston firefighters work a multi-alarm brownstone fire, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in Boston. (AP Photo/The Boston Herald, Christopher Evans)

A firefighter places his hand on the shoulder of another at the scene of a multi-alarm fire at a four-story brownstone in the Back Bay neighborhood near the Charles River, Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

In this photo made Wednesday night, March 26, 2014, firefighters salute the medical examiner's truck carrying the body of one of two firefighters killed when a fire driven by strong winds whipped through a four-story apartment building in Boston and trapped them in the basement. (AP Photo/Boston Herald, Matt West)

Firefighters place black bunting on the front of fire station Engine 33/Ladder 15, Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Boston. Engine 33/Ladder 15 was the station of fallen firefighters Lt. Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy who lost their lives fighting a nine-alarm blaze in a four-story brownstone in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Thirteen other firefighters were injured in the blaze and several police officers also were taken to hospitals. Some residents were rescued from the upper floors of the four-story apartment building, but none was hurt, officials said. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

RIP Michael Kennedy and Lt. Edward J. Walsh

Praying for Boston

I'm a runner and a marathoner and Boston is one of the premiere marathons in the world. People from all over qualify for and travel to Boston for this historic race. For many runners it is a dream to compete at Boston. I am sure no one dreamed such a nightmare could occur today.

Instead of focusing the media attention on the disturbed person or people responsible, let's focus on the heroics displayed by this tragedy. Prayers for all those injured, deceased and for their families. Prayers for all those who heroically responded at the scene including all first responders, runners, the many volunteers and spectators. There are a few bad apples in the world but there are MORE good people than bad! Over the next few days we will be reminded of today's tragic event by the media. We will also hear stories of runners, race personnel, spectators, volunteers, first responders and complete strangers stepping up to help each other. It is in time of tragedy we are our strongest as human beings. Prayers for Boston and America! Stay strong!