I am still trying to deal with life “Post Katrina”.  Instead
of getting better…. it has gotten worse.    I had hoped that
after the anniversary something magical would happen and
I would be able to get on with life.  Unfortunately, it just
hasn’t worked out that way.

I apologize to those of you who felt I was being a Bad friend,
for not getting back to you in a reasonable  timeframe.  All I
can say is I’m doing the best that I can.  I am sorry if I have
disappointed you. 

One unexpected thing that I brought home with me from New Orleans,
was PTSD.  (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
For those not familiar with PTSD I thought I would offer the following
info from the US Department for Veterans Affairs:

Disaster Rescue and Response Workers

A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
by Bruce H. Young, L.C.S.W., Julian D. Ford, Ph.D. and Patricia J. Watson, Ph.D.


What psychological problems can result for rescue workers following disaster experiences?

The psychological problems for workers that may result from disaster experiences include:

• -Emotional reactions: temporary (i.e., for several days or a couple of weeks) feelings of shock, fear, grief, anger, resentment, guilt, shame, helplessness, hopelessness, or emotional numbness (difficulty feeling love and intimacy or difficulty taking interest and pleasure in day-to-day activities)
• -Cognitive reactions: confusion, disorientation, indecisiveness, worry, shortened attention span, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, unwanted memories, self-blame
• -Physical reactions: tension, fatigue, edginess, difficulty sleeping, bodily aches or pain, startling easily, racing heartbeat, nausea, change in appetite, change in sex drive
• -Interpersonal reactions in relationships at school, work, in friendships, in marriage, or as a parent: distrust; irritability; conflict; withdrawal; isolation; feeling rejected or abandoned; being distant, judgmental, or over-controlling

What severe stress symptoms can result for disaster workers?

Most disaster rescue workers only experience mild, normal stress reactions, and disaster experiences may even promote personal growth and strengthen relationships. However, as many as one out of every three rescue workers experience some or all of the following severe stress symptoms, which may lead to lasting Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, or depression:

• -Dissociation (feeling completely unreal or outside yourself, like in a dream; having "blank" periods of time you cannot remember)
• -Intrusive reexperiencing (terrifying memories, nightmares, or flashbacks)
• -Extreme attempts to avoid disturbing memories (such as through substance use)
• -Extreme emotional numbing (completely unable to feel emotion, as if empty)
• -Hyper-arousal (panic attacks, rage, extreme irritability, intense agitation)
• -Severe anxiety (paralyzing worry, extreme helplessness, compulsions or obsessions)
• -Severe depression (complete loss of hope, self-worth, motivation, or purpose in life)

Who is at greatest risk for severe stress symptoms?

Rescue workers who directly experience or witness any of the following during or after the disaster are at greatest risk for severe stress symptoms and lasting readjustment problems:

• -Life threatening danger or physical harm
• -Exposure to gruesome death, bodily injury, or dead or maimed bodies
• -Extreme environmental or human violence or destruction
• -Loss of home, valued possessions, neighborhood, or community
• -Loss of communication with or support from close relations
• -Intense emotional demands (such as searching for possibly dying survivors or interacting with bereaved family members)
• -Extreme fatigue, weather exposure, hunger, or sleep deprivation
• -Extended exposure to danger, loss, emotional/physical strain
• -Exposure to toxic contamination (such as gas or fumes, chemicals, radioactivity)
  
  

If you are interested the entire article can be read at http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/disasters/fs_rescue_workers.html

I have used this blog to try to stay “connected” to others and to try to work on my PTSD issues. Seems though as of late… I have been losing the battle.  I am afraid it is much bigger than I am.
This is a hard thing to admit….  I have always been a very strong
woman.   However when I take in account that that I aced the
“Who is at greatest risk for severe stress symptoms?”
portion on this article……  maybe it just proves that I am human.
Unfortunately I also aced the Stress Symtoms section too.


For several months after returning home, I had insurance benefits.  After I found myself without them, I had a horrible time trying to find anyone who was willing to see me “without insurance”.    After Drs. would find out about the no insurance
issue…. I got the stock reply….” He is not accepting new patients”.   I have written countless letters and made countless phone calls…. reaching out for help.    All of us who were “there” have always had the burning question:
“Who is going to rescue the Rescuer?”  

I am to the point where I do not have it in me to debate…. defend… or to explain much of anything.    I guess I am not a “good friend” by many 360 standards.   So much of 360 expects lighthearted banter…. regular posting to everyone’s else’s blog. I do understand it, but I just don’t have it in me at this time.  For that...I am sorry.
To be quite honest... I am just trying to survive.

Peace is the work of justice indirectly, in so far as justice removes the obstacles to peace; but it is the work of charity (love) directly, since charity, according to its very notion, causes peace.

- Thomas Aquinas

Looking for peace is like looking for a turtle with a mustache: You won't be able to find it. But when your heart is ready, peace will come looking for you.

-          Ajahn Chah

If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.

- Moshe Dayan

Peace is more the product of our day-to-day living than of a spectacular program, intermittently executed.

- Dwight David Eisenhower

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.

- Helen Keller

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Every act of love is a work of peace, no matter how small.

- Mother Teresa

 **************************************************************************************

(N3S    "2" Hands)


Woke up this morning and my wheels were turning.

I have been completely awestruck at the outpouring of people who
have been more than willing to help with “Doogie” and I
want to thank each and everyone of you again from the bottom
of my heart.  While Doogie’s situation is not yet over, I know with
everyone’s help, there can be a positive outcome and hopefully
the people that put him in that horrific situation, will be held
accountable.

What struck me when I looked at lot of your blogs, was how
many “types” of people we all are.  But, we all have one thing in
common…. The Love of Animals and that we are willing
to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

This reminded me SO much of being an animal rescuer in
New Orleans.   We didn’t really know one another at all.
Occasionally we would pick up a first name or two, but for
the most part we were all anonymous  animal lovers than had
converged on New Orleans to help the 1,000’s of dying animals.
It wasn’t until we all got home and started communicating that
we realized just how different all our backgrounds were.
There was:
homemakers
teachers
retired military
unemployed
doctors
attorneys
students
vets
a blacksmith
an actress
an accountant
a fighter pilot
animal activist
animal welfare people
a toxicologist
disabled
Republicans
Democrats
Baptists
Jews
Buddhists
Scientologists
Atheists
Catholics
Young
Old
Male
Female
Gay
Straight
heavy
slim
Tattooed
Long hair
short hair
no hair

I even met a cancer patient who was still in treatment.
the list goes on and on …. These were the people
“on the ground” after Katrina working hand in hand.

I was telling PK this morning, that the most important people
in the entire animal rescue effort after Katrina were the people that were
behind their computers at home.  Had it not been for these people
we could have NEVER done what we did.

Their emails and communications provided us with:
-Communication- to get the word out as to what was really happening
-Supplies (animal crates, animal food, veterinary supplies etc)
- Volunteers ( rescuers, vets, shelter workers, vet techs)
- Places for the animals to be taken to ( personal foster homes,
   shelters, sanctuaries; both in the US and in Canada)
-Transport for the thousands of animals that we gathered
-Some volunteered air miles to get some of us to the scene
(and this list goes on and on)

These are the true HEROS in my eyes. 

The point of bringing this up??….
It  comes back to my wheels turning. ;)

I receive info through the rescuers all over the country, about
animals and situations concerning animals that require action.
(Such as Doogie)    SOOOOO…
I decided to create another blog here on 360.   DOOGIES.PLACE
That way, we can create a network of very different yet likeminded
people who will be available to jump into action when the needs
arise.   Whether it is abuse cases…. of heaven forbid, another
disaster.  

I will not update the page daily but when I do… You make the
decision whether you want to participate or not.  If you do…
then you can start spreading the word to other animal lovers.
Just like you did for Doogie!!     The more people on the
Doogies Page the better!!

I certainly don’t want to loose track of you wonderful people…
and together we can make a difference.  Whether it be for one
animal or hundreds….

Please invite “DOOGIES PLACE” to become a 360 friend of yours!!

( PS…..probably for the next week I will be making changing to the layout
and information of Doogies Place … so please bear with me!!
I will  probably be doing some POLLS to get a feel for things too.
You DON"T have to be from the US to participate!! 

Also... if you decide that having "parrotcharmer" on your friends list isn't a match...
please don't feel bad about deleting me.  It will not upset me.   Just as
long as you have added Doogies Place as a friend :) )
Not everybody wants to read such blog posts as "My favorite color is Chrome"  ;)  LOL!

Thank you again!!

nanc

TWO HANDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.