6/22 I didn't win

Went to the Hyundai/Honda dealer to check my numbers from the newspaper and guess what? I didn't win $50,000. Okay, check that off my to-do list.

Enjoyed work today. I really think I helped some people. Found someone else who sees Jane for medical services. Lots of people seek mental health services after seeing Jane. You do the math.

Tonight's article is Chris Brown plea bargains a deal.

Now for dinner--thanks, Cindy, for the pasta salad. I can't wait to dive in.

9/11 Memories

Six years ago today we were in shock. Our world changed, and it will never be the same. A friend's husband was in a building attached to the twin towers and his building went down too. But fortunately he escaped. Yet before we knew that, we all prayed and waited.

Such a sad, sad day.

Today I attended a workshop on Vicarious Traumatization--how helpers and caregivers get traumatized even though they weren't at the original event, and what to do about it. It turned into more of a group therapy session than a workshop, but was very helpful. Every day we see staff members struggling. Some of them are hurricane survivors too, but still help others. They are great.

Yet, I often talk to individuals and am struck by how fragile we are, as well as how resilient and strong. I know it sounds like a contradiction but that's what I see. People are on the edge, yet they continue to do excellent work.

2/11 Up early

Today I don't have to leave the motel until 11 AM; we've been given a half day off since it's Sunday. Everyone is supposed to get one full day after working seven days, so I'm making sure my folks are getting a full day in addition to this one. I'll take a day when I can.

Instead of sleeping late I got up at 5:30 to do my laundry. There are only two washing machines and I knew they'd be busy. Now my laundry is done and I can relax for a while.

Anyway, someone in my writing group asked me for details about what I do here, so thought I'dc post the answers here.

Here's are my functions:

1. Coordinate disaster mental health services--sending out mental health workers with Outreach Teams. Teams consist of two client caseworkers (people who determine financial need, based only on this disaster, not previous need), a health services worker (nurse or EMT), and mental health person (at least a master's degree and license to practice independently). Normally you can only practice in the state in which you are licensed, but when the president declares a state of emergency that rule is waived.

2. Assess need--all of our outreach people do this, but when a client comes into the service center I do this as well. We try to have another MH person with me so I can do the managerial stuff, but yesterday everyone was out all day. So I was able to interact with clients. It's a privilege.

3. Assist volunteers and paid staff--it's a stressful job and sometimes people need to go home. We help evaluate volunteers and staff and ensure they are doing okay. When people are due to rotate out we also speak to them to make sure they'll be able to re-integrate into their community. Sometimes we see horrific things and need to be debriefed, just like cops and firefighters.

4. Respond to emergencies--we do "hot shot" calls when we hear of emergent needs. These happen fairly often, and a mental health worker and health services person usually respond together.

5. Compile reports--the Red Cross strives to be a transparent organization, one that has no secrets. After the Gulf storms of 2005, which caught all agencies unaware, the RC has put in many safeguards. So I have to do tons of reporting. Not a bad thing, and certainly important, but I'd rather work with folks.

I do love the job I have though. Other than being tired, I could do this all the time. The people in this area are so grateful and so kind to us.

2/8 A brief respite....

I'm driving from Daytona Beach to Ocala where I'll be staying for a while. I'm now going to be the Disaster Mental Health Supervisor at the service center at Lady Lake, FL. After a while I'll go back to HQ, but for now this adventure will be fine.

So I stopped for lunch at a Barnes and Noble Cafe where I could sign on to the internet. What a major treat!

The Daytona 500 is happening soon the Daytona Beach is becoming a madhouse. Yikes. I'm so glad to be moving to Ocala for a while. This new job will be challenging because I've never done it before, but it really makes me happy to do it. I've learned so much at HQ. It's amazing.

So many people are being helped and so many good things are happening. It's such an honor to be part of it. I'll write more later. But for now, I've got to get going. Love to all.

2/6 Daytona 500

Because of the big race we have to get out of our hotel rooms by Friday. I'm lucky enough to be moving to another hotel today. Otherwise I'd be in a staff shelter. They're not horrible, but a room with only one roommate is a bit better for getting enough sleep.

Gotta run. Work is calling. I love you and hope to write more Wednesday night.

2/4 Tired, but tired

Wait, I meant "tired but happy." Nope, I really meant tired but tired.

I finally got the deployment call yesterday at 3:10 PM. We wanted to leave home by 5 in order to run some errands and get to the aiport between 6:30 and 7, after an hour drive from Sanford.

I'd already cleaned out my "go bag but hadn't really packed anything until I got the official call.
So those two hours were a bit frantic. Rob and Beata were awesome though. Beata packed up a great CARE package for me full of granola bars and candy. Rob helped by looking up some info on the internet for me and some other things.

We had a funny drive to RDU. I kissed R and B goodbye and was gratified to hear how much they'll miss me--and this being after I've been there 2 1/2 months. :) I'll miss them too.

At the airport I remembered to call Jill to let her know about my deployment. She and the kids are visiting her dad and his family near Fresno.

Rob was surprised to find out that, until I landed, I wouldn't know if I was staying in a hotel or a staff shelter, or even if I had to drive to Daytona Beach immediately or wait until the next day. How it works is that as soon as you land you call the DR Info Line and get all the pertinent information. You don't get the info ahead of time because things change fast, and the information might be out of date by the time you land.

When I arrived I was put with some other folks in rental cars. We stayed at a hotel at the Orlando airport last night and drove this morning to Daytona Beach. I can't even begin to describe all the work we did today, but will try to talk more about it tomorrow.

Right now I'm at a Days Inn--connected to an IHOP. Could even heaven be better than this? (No need to answer, it was just a joke.) I am so incredibly tired, and this is only Day 1. Pancakes tomorrow and then back to work. (Today I woke up at 5:45 AM and got to my hotel at 9 PM. But it's all worth it.) Love to all.