Massachusetts First Responders Responding to Traumas on the Job

‘You can’t come to work with emotions’

South Coast Today 
Wesley Sykes 
August 12, 2017

“You can’t come to work with any emotions. You just can’t. It’s different. You may break down after the call, but in the moment it’s like you’re pumping with adrenaline.” Megan Robitaille

Mike Thomas, right, checks with first responders Megan Robitaille and Shain Ramos at St. Lukes Hospital Emergency Room dock after responding to a drug overdose call at Buttonwood Park in New Bedford. David W. OIliveira Standard Times Special SCMG

Life as an EMT, whether it be in city of 100,000 people or a small town of 10,000, can bring many hats to wear. From life-saver to therapist, often there are moments that any amount of training won’t prepare an EMT for.

Some EMTs will tell you that there’s a very vulnerable period that happens in the back of an ambulance. There are moments of clarity that offer a new lease on life. Instances of denial are masked in cockiness or arrogance that can turn into belligerence. Those feelings may give way to tears of remorse or sorrow.

In a four-foot by eight-foot box traveling at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour, the ambulance is, for some, a confessional on wheels. The paramedics, in a race against time, double as priests hearing what might be a patient’s final words as they come to grips with the grave reality that the EMT may be the last person they ever see on Earth.

“When you get someone to truly open up, or they open up on their own, you hear that they’re a brother, a son, a mother or daughter,” Acushnet Fire and EMS Chief Kevin Gallagher said.

The unsung heroes, Donohoe said, are the wives and husbands at home who make it all work. Families stop by during down hours to check in, bring food and get quality family time when they can.“They put up with our god-awful hours,” Donohoe said. More than the hours, families deal with any residual effects from a traumatic call.

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Combat PTSD Veterans Learn They Can Survive To Thrive

I can't count how many times someone has sent me a link to what they are doing on PTSD, or how many times I simply close the email without responding at all. Something about an email from Jess Abernethy of Survive To Thrive Nation got my attention. I am glad I opened this one.

After ten years on this site and 35 doing this work, I got to the point where the problems with efforts by a new group smacked me across the face. I used to take the time to slam them. Then, well, it just wasn't even worth responding to them. 

I'm emailing this group because I am impressed. They cover most of it. The effects of PTSD on those who love them and live with them comes out strongly with the interview of Iraq Veteran Dane Christison's wife. She talks about how it was when things were bad and then offers hope.

They get into the importance of treating every part of the veteran, mind-body and spirit.

The other thing is that this is not yet one more group raising awareness in the US. This is a group trying to make veterans aware of the fact there is nothing to be ashamed of and they can heal to go on and live happier lives. They are out of Australia!

Isn't that what all of us should be doing?



Survive To Thrive Nation on Facebook

Triple Amputee Gets Keys to New Home and Future

Triple amputee veteran receives home through Gary Sinise Foundation

Oregon Live

Samantha Swindler

August 12, 2017

As the ceremonial unveiling of his new home concluded Friday, retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Wade Mitcheltree exited the stage with his wife and two sons. He paused at the stairs, decided against them, and instead sat on the raised platform.

Sarah SilbigerTriple amputee veteran receives smart home in TigardU.S. Army veteran Wade Mitcheltree and his family are presented a new smart home from the Gary Sinise Foundation Friday morning in Tigard. The home is specially designed to accommodate Mitcheltree's needs as a triple amputee. (Sarah Silbiger/Staff)

He used his left hand and his right prosthetic arm to scoot to the edge, lifted his legs, rolled on his side, and in one fluid motion planted two prosthetic feet on the ground below.

"Improvise, adapt and overcome!" someone called from the crowd.

That's what Wade Mitcheltree, a triple amputee veteran, has been doing his whole life, but the work just got a bit easier thanks to the specially-designed, wheelchair accessible, 3,000-square-foot Tigard home he and his family received through the Gary Sinise Foundation.

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Vietnam Veteran Dying Dream Up in the Air...In Huey

WV Vietnam veteran receives dream

WDTV News

Jay Martin

August 11, 2017

MAIDSVILLE, W. Va. (WDTV)- If you saw a military helicopter flying over Morgantown Friday you saw Billy Kinsley.

Billy is a 69-year-old West Virginia Vietnam army veteran. He worked as an aircraft mechanic primarily on Huey helicopters. Billy currently has terminal lung cancer and had one last request to ride in a Huey with his four kids and reminisce about his time in the army. With the help of The Dream Foundation and Amedisys Hospice they made his dream a reality.

"This is our first dream here in our region, specifically for our care center in Morgantown. So we are extremely thrilled that we were able to make Billy's dream a reality," said Heidi Chickerell, volunteer coordinator at Amedisys Hospice.

With all the excitement Billy was thrilled to get up in the air...

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First Responders Still Struggle With Stigma of PTSD

Study: Many first responders face PTSD

KSLA News

Jeff Ferrell

Reporter

August 11, 2017

"When in reality, being able to be in control of your emotions, be aware and have insight about your emotions, is actual strength," added Davis.

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -

A startling new study is shedding light on the pressures facing first responders in this country. It found that 85% of them report experiencing symptoms related to mental health issues.

The results of the recent Harris Poll survey conducted for the University of Phoenix comes as no surprise to many crime fighters.

It shows that more than a third of all first responders in this country have received a formal mental health disorder diagnosis, 10% for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, better known as PTSD. 

"Part of the symptoms of PTSD is, you know, having trouble sleeping, hypervigilance, avoiding stimuli, depression, anxiety, irritability," described Clint Davis.

Davis speaks from experience, not just as a licensed professional counselor specializing in PTSD, but also as someone who suffered from the disorder, after returning home from a tour in Afghanistan as an Army Sergeant.

That's why he was not surprised to hear such a high number of first responders struggle with PTSD.

"Every human, no matter how much resiliency they think they have, when they experience trauma it affects their brain," explained Davis.

Despite the fact a majority of first responders across the country have access to mental health services according to that Harris Poll, Davis understands why 39% fear negative repercussions for seeking help.

Those fears range from their supervisor treating them differently to co-workers seeing them as 'weak.'
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