This Friday our Volunteer Connection meeting
will begin at NOON.
Please click the link below for attendance. We will be
joining Jenn Flaum from Heartlight in Denver to talk about the terrible tragedy
that occurred in Boulder on Monday.
- Friday, March 26, 2021,
12:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Jenn Flaum, Heartlight Center
https://zoom.us/j/97855228435?pwd=K0tuQnU4NlZIS3A3YlFJZ2xrejBUUT09
Michael McHale, CEO of TRU, wrote; we walk together
through this trauma, I hope you will take time to reflect upon what comes up -
helplessness, heartache, fear, frustration - whatever you are feeling, please
know that you are not alone and give yourselves the space to feel it all as we
collectively mourn those we’ve lost and send our love to those who have
survived.
We are grateful for the ways in which you’ve provided support for our community
and want to support you through this tragedy. Over the course of the
next few days, TRU, in collaboration with the HeartLight Center, is providing
several grief support groups. You can find information about these and other
resources for healing our hearts and bringing our community together
here:
TRUcare.org/communitysupport
Be gentle with yourselves and please reach out if you need
anything. Together we heal with love leading the way.
The Volunteer Connection Schedule follows this article.
With our hearts reaching out to the victims of Monday's
shooting and everyone touched by this senseless tragedy, please take a moment
to process and take care of yourself. We hope the following may provide some
healing.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-trauma/201805/what-do-after-shooting-advice-trauma-therapist
What to Do After a Shooting: Advice From a
Trauma Therapist
Even when you feel helpless, there are ways to
cope.
Posted May 21, 2018 Psychology Today - Devon MacDemott Ph.D.
We live in a time where mass shootings have become commonplace. We all share
the trauma of a shooting – the random happenings mean that we all feel
like potential victims. The repetition of a shooting in video, online
discussion, and media commentary means that everyone is at risk for becoming vicariously
traumatized.
What is Vicarious Traumatization?
Vicarious traumatization refers to the pain that we experience when we see
something terrible happening to someone else. This means that we can feel the
effects of trauma even when we are not in immediate danger. If you’ve
experienced trauma in the past including accidents, domestic
violence, war, or being chronically oppressed or
invalidated, viewing coverage of shootings can trigger intense emotions
including feeling frozen, helpless, or fearful. Even those who don't feel
intense emotional symptoms can still experience pain and stress. These are normal reactions when your body and mind fear for their safety. They are coping mechanisms that are
intended to keep you safe but, if left unchecked, can cause distress.
Resilience Following Terror
The pain felt in our country due to repeated acts of senseless violence is
undeniable. The losses, however, do not have to be meaningless. As a New
Yorker, I remember the incredible heroism and outpouring of support in New York
City following 9/11. Although we all witnessed something terrible, we also
witnessed humanity's power to unite and sacrifice for the greater good. We saw
first responders risk their own safety in the hopes of finding survivors.
Many of us saw small acts of kindness to friends and strangers alike. Even
something as simple as asking someone if everyone they knew was all right was
felt as a deep expression of empathy and concern. Perpetuating this kindness is essential.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by what you have seen on the news lately,
consider redirecting your attention to help others. This may be asking an affected friend how
they are coping, donating to refugee efforts, or volunteering your time with a
worthy cause. It can be a powerful experience to channel fear and helplessness
into something meaningful that benefits others in need.
Do Something
The more active your coping skills are following a shooting, the less likely
you are to be traumatized. There is extensive research to show that if you can
be involved in helping others and making meaning of trauma that you are less
likely to suffer trauma symptoms like panic and chronic fearfulness. Find what works for you, not
everything will be a good coping skill for everyone. Here are some ideas:
- Think of all the
good that people do. Remind yourself of people who inspire and move you.
Think about people who have done brave, selfless acts.
- Get involved!
Volunteer in your community and protest, if you want. Start or sign a
petition, contact your senators, and donate money to causes you care
about. Write an OpEd or a blog about your experiences. Being vocal about a
terrible event is one of the best ways to cope.
- If you’re feeling
frightened and unsafe, remind yourself of safety measures in place and
people who look out for you including security guards, police officers,
friends, and family.
- Limit your
exposure! Repeated viewing of violent and horrifying acts can cause more
severe trauma symptoms. The brain has a hard time realizing that
frightening news coverage happened in the past so each exposure can
be taken as a new traumatizing event.
- Remind yourself
that your reactions are a valid response to trauma. Panic and feeling
fearful can be helpful when we are in immediate danger. Your brain is
doing the best it can to cope with a confusing and frightening
experience.
- Remain engaged in
your life and activities. Lean on your loved ones and stay active with
your hobbies. Try your best to reduce isolation, it will improve your
mood.
- Take a self-defense
class, let your body feel anger and fear and
channel them in a productive way.
- Ask for help. If
you feel like you need help coping, ask for it. Reach out to friends and
family or seek out a trauma professional. Remember that help is always
available for those who want it.
Please contact us
if we may be of any help to you at this time.
Wendy & Ginger
Dementia Series with Jessica O’Leary, Begins
April 7,, 2021. Please reach out if you would like more information.
------
3/26, Friday: VC
Zoom Presentation: Ted Talk: What makes a good life? https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_waldinger_what_makes_a_good_life_lessons_from_the_longest_study_on_happiness?rid=PeP9Pm1pLaxA&utm_source=recommendation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=explore&utm_term=watchNow and a useful article https://trainingmag.com/8-tips-for-developing-positive-relationships/
ZOOM EVENING MEETINGS(TRUVIES-1st Wednesday(6:30pm-8:30pm) and Volunteer Peer
Support Group 4th Wednesday(5:30pm-7:30pm)-Zoom code is 850 229 3682.
ZOOM VOLUNTEER
CONNECTION MEETINGS: Fridays 12:15pm-1:45pm.
Zoom Code: 448
343 968
___________
TRU Volunteer Connection Zoom Meeting Schedule and
Opportunities
3/26, Friday: VC Zoom Presentation: What makes a good life
4/2,
Friday: Book Club: End of Life Book Club
presented by Evie Cohen.
4/7, Wednesday: TRUvies
Movie Night, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Dick Johnson is Dead
Zoom Code: 850 229 3682
Dick
Johnson is dead. May his soul rest in peace. He will always be in our
prayers… even though Dick Johnson is not yet dead. Dick
Johnson is a pleasant and cheerful man who makes you want to hug him. His
daughter, documentary filmmaker Kirsten Johnson, can’t fathom the idea that his
joie de vivre and kindness will forever disappear from this world. So to face
her worst fears, she decided to make a movie about him because, maybe, in that
way, Dick Johnson will live forever in both our hearts and eyes. But
instead of interviewing him or using old home movies, Kirsten has asked
her father to participate in his own fake funeral and to perform in some
elaborate death scenes. Our culture is so afraid of death that we seldom
approach it in such an open and honest way. This film is a reminder that death
is rarely controlled and goodbyes should never be put off.
4/9,
Friday: VC Zoom Presentation: Open Books, Volunteer Presenter: Skip Arnold
4/16,
Friday: Cancelled – New volunteer
training
4/21,
Wednesday: Volunteer Appreciation Week- Please send in two things that are true about
YOU, and one thing that is false to Ginger or Wendy. We can’t wait to CELEBRATE
your gift of being a TRU Volunteer and Thank YOU!!!
4/23,
Friday: VC Zoom Presentation: Susan
Numchez – “Cause to Pause” Our education and training modules offers strategies for
navigating the difficult emotions that can arise for caregivers. By integrating
tools for reflection and awareness we become more resilient, and the capacity
for compassion expands. Through this shared human experience we inspire each
other to live whole-heartedly.
4/28,
Wednesday: Volunteer Support Group: Death Café with Kim Mooney
5:30pm-7:30pm Zoom Access code is: 850 229 3682
4/30, Friday: VC Zoom
Presentation - Ted Talk: What's invisible? More than you think - John Lloyd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EUy_82IChY Wendy’s Epiphany – recognizing invisible
support and connections to reaffirm Life and Living in the time of COVID.
5/5 Wednesday: TRUvies Movie Night 6:30pm to 8:30pm - Dying Wish: A Dying Doctor’s Decision to
Stop Eating and Drinking, Zoom
Code: 850 229 3682
5/7 Friday:
Book Club-: FINAL GIFTS –“SPECIAL GUEST” Author Patricia Kelley’s
husband, Craig Hafner, will be joining us. Final Gifts by Maggie
Callanan and Patricia Kelley "For everyone who has been or ever
will be close to someone who is dying, this book is aimed at helping them to
understand not only what the experience of death is like, but also how to
interpret the symbolic messages by which the dying attempt to communicate their
needs to us. ... Google
Books
5/14 Friday: VC Zoom
Presentation: The Natural Funeral-Karen Van Vuren
5/21 Friday: VC Zoom
Presentation: Survival Talk for
the CAREGIVER- Jessica O’Leary
5/28 Friday: VC Zoom
Presentation: Patient/Family
Volunteer Refresher Course
No comments:
Post a Comment