Despite my busy schedule, I can sometimes steal a moment or
two to just stop and observe my children. These brief moments are filled with
amazement, joy and yes, fear. I love to watch my little ones as they discover
new things, try new foods, experience new sights or surroundings. The wonderment in their eyes and the
concentration they apply to the learning process is amazing to me.
The fear stems from what I know of the world in which we
live. While my daughter seems enthralled with the amusement of an iPad and the
magic of a touch screen, she is also drawn to the street and its traffic, to
the top of our stairs and to climbing a ladder left unattended by her brothers.
The fear that grips me at times is because I know that the human mind is made
for discovery and while my little daughter will discover many wonderful things
in her life, she will also discover the ugliness of the world. She will meet
hateful people, she will fall and get hurt, she will learn that trust is not
always the best option. Hopefully she will not fall from that ladder, fall down
the stairs or walk into traffic…
Watching the heroics of the last 24 hours in Oklahoma is
beyond heartwarming as once again the American Spirit has risen above the
debris piles and real-life heroes are standing in Moore, Oklahoma. Tears filled my eyes as I listened to the
interviews of these outstanding individuals, watched firefighters crawl through
piles to rescue small children and as neighbors grasped the hands of neighbors
in support.
Watching these heroics has also brought out the father in me…
the fear. As I watch these responders
crawl through Moore, Oklahoma, I cannot help but consider what will become of
them as they get older… what is it that they are actually discovering right now
in this devastated place that they once called home.
Will they walk away from Moore new men and women with a
revived call to respond in their community for a lifetime? Will this experience cause one or
two to write inspirational music or a book? Surely a few will become
motivational speakers and tell their stories…
How many more will wake up in the middle of the night one
year from now sweating from head to toe believing they hear the screams of
school children from under year-old rubble?
How many will shiver or become ill when the next tornado siren sounds?
How many will find a hiding place from their memories of May 20, 2013 in a
bottle of Jack Daniels or a bottle of pain killers?
Each and every year we discover a little more about the
effects of trauma on the human mind and especially on the minds of those called
to serve their community. Unfortunately, it was only a few days ago that a
firefighter told me that Responder PTSD was only a sign of weakness in a
responder… an ignorance that has killed before.
What will we offer yesterday’s heroes next year? Will it be
a program of support and open communication or will we brush off the need for psychological
first aid training nationwide in our fire halls and police departments? It has been our goal for many years to bring
new programs to the responders of this country that encourage openness and
sharing. Programs for the spouses of
responders training them to help through memories and stray thoughts. Classes that enlighten entire agencies as to
how to recognize signs and symptoms of a brother or sister in need of counsel.
As a father, I see much more than the news coverage on
television… I fear I am watching the birth of new children… the children of
disaster and pain. While I pray that a majority of these brave men and women
walk away from Moore healthy and encouraged, I know in my heart that there will
be some that return to their everyday work world not even realizing what their
minds discovered. Will their families
and fellow responders be ready for them?
If you know a hero, whether one from Moore or another place
and time, take the time to listen, to support and to encourage. Learn the signs of trauma-induced fatigue,
stress or PTSD. Offer help and counsel. Create a means for assistance for those
that become overwhelmed.
If you are a department or agency, have you adjusted and
grown to accommodate regular trainings in psychological first aid? Have you
created an open forum for those struggling with traumas they have experienced?
Have you built a system that supports those who have so much more to give but
feel they have expired due to pressure, memories or experiences?
In a conversation the other day with a friend, the concept
of scars being attractive was brought up. Many times I have been asked about
some of my scars. Like in the movie Lethal Weapon, scars are great discussion
starters, can be considered sexy and event exciting… they are usually
accompanied by a hair-raising story which is only enhanced by the visual of the
scar itself… a badge of courage if you will…
But we discussed the other scars as well… the scars that
will be there a year from now and years
from now that nobody will ever see but represent the deepest cuts… it is these
scars that will ruin a home and marriage,
cause early retirement, unexplained illness, addictions and even
suicide.
Are we watching? Will we watch? Will we remember the works
of yesterday’s heroes or will we remember to care for them in the future.
The homes of Moore will be rebuilt, but as they are, we need
to build a system that is set to catch the heroes should they stumble.
Chasing4Life is presently working on creating a national psychological
first aid for responder program tour and has been in discussion with several
entities that have pledged to support this new endeavor. The purpose of this
new campaign is to intercept the course of trauma before intervention,
treatment or drastic actions are needed by encouraging responders themselves to
become each other’s support system in the field of psychological first aid.
Keep visiting this blog, our FaceBook and website for more in the near future.
