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.

- 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

( 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.

Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, was arrested September 11, 2006 for helping a dying chained dog named Doogie who could not stand in East Freedom, Pennsylvania. Below are the details of the case, with photo and video documentation.

Tammy's statement: "I made a hard decision; this decision was that I could not have lived with myself or looked myself in the eye if I were such a coward as to leave Doogie lying there dying on the ground for fear of what would happen to me. I see this case as a travesty against justice...the true perpetrators of a crime are the people who left Doogie to lie there dying for three days without doing right by him. I am very saddened that we live in a society where people have to be afraid to do the right thing, to help those in need, whether that need be human or animal. Arrests such as mine are a pitiful statement for America, and I ask all dog lovers to stand with me to insist that all charges against me are dropped and charges of animal cruelty are instead placed against the Arnolds of East Freedom, PA. The Arnolds who left Doogie to die. This video truly speaks for itself, and for Doogie. I did what was morally right; I stand by my decision to help him and will be proud of it until my dying day. No one can take that from me."

Here is the background info:

We got a call from Kim Eicher in East Freedom 9/11/06, crying because Doogie hadn't gotten up since Saturday. She had been calling the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society since Saturday to no avail. We told her we aren't law officers, and she needed to call the Humane Officer. We told her to make sure she left a message, very clearly, about the problem. Then we got another call about the same dog, from another person who passes him every day. At that point we called Kim back to see if she'd heard from the Humane Officer. She had not, was very, very upset and we were very worried about him, so we promised her we'd go out and see what we could do.

When we arrived, we took photos and video of Doogie. We initially thought he was dead, as he was not moving and his back was to us. We found out that the people were not home to talk to about him, so I made the decision that I would not leave him lying there on the cold wet ground for one moment longer, and I would accept all consequences of my decision.

Kim Eicher has agreed to testify as to the animal cruelty perpetrated against Doogie. She cried the whole time we were there, you can hear her on the video.
I think once you see the video and pictures, you'll understand why I made this decision.

The vet documented his general negligent condition, low weight, sores, missing fur, and took xrays of his back and hips. He determined that he has very bad back spurs that are causing him a lot of pain and are most likely responsible for his inability to walk. He also saw an undetermined mass near his hip on the xray. He gave him a shot for pain plus some B vitamins for energy, so that perhaps he could have even one good day or a few good hours. He wrote a letter stating his condition.

As we got to the vet, the CPHS Humane Officer Gotshall was just leaving, and he stopped us. He was about to go out to the residence. When he found out we had Doogie with us, he was not happy. I volunteered to take Doogie back and he could pick him up instead. He refused that, and stated that I should get him the vet care he needed, and to call him afterward on his cell.

When I later called him, he did not answer, I left a message asking him what he wanted me to do with Doogie, he never called back.

Shortly after we got Doogie to my home, situated, bathed—had to, the stench was too bad—and fed and watered an Officer Flaig called from the Freedom Township Police Department (Freedom, isn't that ironic?). He wanted me to return Doogie, which I refused to do. I explained that I had video and photos documenting the animal cruelty, and the neighbor was willing to testify; why didn't he pursue that as they were the perpetrators of the crime, and should be charged? He refused, and was not interested in seeing my evidence.

He and three other police vehicles arrived at my home at approximately 9:30 p.m. As I refused to hand Doogie over to be returned to death on a chain, and would not tell them where he was, I was taken into custody, transported to the East Freedom police office, and charged with theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. I was released on $50,000 unsecured bond and ordered to appear at a preliminary hearing September 21, 2006.

I was treated like a common criminal, especially by Chief Reilly, who called me a 'freakin' idiot', 'incompetent', and I overheard him telling Officer Flaig that if I ever came near his dog I would have a slug in my a**. Again, there was no interest in any evidence that the dog had been abused or criminally neglected. As far as they were concerned, the dog's safety or condition was not even an issue.

I was released after seeing Judge Aigner, where Chief Reilly asked that I be not given bail but incarcerated for my failure to cooperate. It was 2:00 a.m., and I had no ride home, over 30 miles away. I had to walk to a local all-night store to call and get a cab, because there was no concern over how I would get home. Their attempt to dehumanize me didn't work. I held my head high and still do. I looked Chief Reilly square in the eye at every opportunity. I will not be broken.

Here's what I need from you all. View the videos and photos. I think you'll agree with me that this is NOT acceptable in ANY way in any kind of civilized society. We cannot allow this kind of animal abuse. Period. Not ifs, ands, or buts. Insist that all charges against Tammy Grimes are dropped and animal cruelty charges are instead filed against the Arnolds of East Freedom, Pennsylvania. Pass along the photos and the video, or a link to it, as much as you possibly can.

I could never look myself in the eye again, much less sleep at night, had I left Doogie there dying, shivering in the dirt.

Please, contact ALL media with these photos and videos. Get justice, for Doogie and for me. Do NOT allow this treatment of those who are here to help, and who actually care. Call the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society and tell them you expect them to stand with me against this kind of abuse, and that you expect them to return phone calls for dying dogs the same day.

Doogie laying on the ground, neighbor crying in background:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN9t1rv4pj4

Doogie after vet at Grimes house:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8wxGP1N7QQ

Officer Flaig: Cell 814.201.0149

Freedom Township Police Headquarters: 814.695.8545

Central Pennsylvania Humane Society: 814.942.5402; cphs@altoonarail.net

Humane Officer Paul Gotshall: 814.942.3780

Altoona Mirror:(newspaper) 800.287.4480; pbanko@altoonamirror.com ;
news@altoonamirror.com

WTAJ-TV10: 814.944.1414
WJAC-TV 6: 814.255.7600

Honorable Craig Ormsby
800 East Main Street
Roaring Spring, PA 16673
814.224.4168

Honorable Paula Aigner
311 Union Street
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
814.693.3210

All national media! Make sure to send them links to the video, it's very compelling. Don't stop until there is Justice for Doogie and me! Any help with legal fees to get a competent attorney would be much appreciated.

Tammy S. Grimes

Please shoot off an EMAIL or a phone call to these people....
Thanks!!

(Tammy could also use some $$ for her defense fund...
Here is a link to her site...  I am positive any amount
would be appreciated.

------->DOGS DESERVE BETTER


Alert Updates

1-  I prefer “younger men”.  In fact I have been married twice (oops), and
both were over 10 years younger. (My grandmother was the same way :)

2- I don't cook... however... I do like to bake. (but not all the time ;)

3- I absolutely hate shopping of any kind.  I dislike malls… grocery stores..
you name a store… and I don't like  it.    In the last year I have only gone into
a grocery store twice.  I would literally pay someone to shop for me if I couldn't
get it online.  (good thing my favorite food groups are Coffee and Diet Coke)

4- I am a huge daydreamer!!   

5- I have an aversion to opening mail.  … I  don’t have the slightest
clue why that is.  I pay all bills online… so it is not about bills. 

6- I have a warped sense of humor.. and I laugh a lot…
even when I am alone.


(Only 6?....  I could have written 60)


I don't like to tag others either... so if you wanna do it... have at it.  

I took the pictures  this morning...   I hate having my picture taken too.. even
if I do it... Oops that's 7...

Love Song and Video.....
KT Tunstall "Black Horse & A Cherry Tree"