Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
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My college bosses are not fixing the lemon Distance Learning system they bought. It shuts down during classes and won't turn back on, won't show full pictures, so top half of powerpoints for lectures don't show. Sounds cuts off. Picture shrinks from 6 ft plasma screen size to letter size at random.
7 weeks of this now. I had 3 hours of it this morning. Had a nice, civil face to face meeting with the college president and came away a letter promising to fix it 2 weeks ago. A letter in hand! But the Distance Learning System has been breaking down daily still since those promises in writing 2 weeks ago, with no end in sight.
No control, stress, students complaining, dropping the classes I teach via Distance Learning, enrollment falling.
It triggered my PTSD today at lunch. Fortunately, I left the faculty lunch room before I said something I'd really regret and walked it off around campus. Exhausted every day of this after work. Barely have the energy to teach one more day tomorrow.
Send good thoughts if they're out there. This is dumb, but it's getting to me.
7 weeks of this now. I had 3 hours of it this morning. Had a nice, civil face to face meeting with the college president and came away a letter promising to fix it 2 weeks ago. A letter in hand! But the Distance Learning System has been breaking down daily still since those promises in writing 2 weeks ago, with no end in sight.
No control, stress, students complaining, dropping the classes I teach via Distance Learning, enrollment falling.
It triggered my PTSD today at lunch. Fortunately, I left the faculty lunch room before I said something I'd really regret and walked it off around campus. Exhausted every day of this after work. Barely have the energy to teach one more day tomorrow.
Send good thoughts if they're out there. This is dumb, but it's getting to me.
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I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
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First, I hope everyone is doing well, and continuing to fight that good fight! Keep up the great work on yourselves; I'm rooting for all of you!So, I started doing therapy at the beginning of the year, when I was in my most depressed state, but with my therapist, I made big changes and steps in the right direction. But, over a month ago, she couldn't take my insurance anymore, and I had to stop...
It's so difficult to trust anyone when we have PTSD, so when they break promises it seems to hit doubly hard. And when it's bosses, aka authority...well then it just triggers us all the worse. Or at least that is my experience...
I wish I could fix it for you.
But will be sending good, strong, calm thoughts your way.
Hugs!
~Annie
Jewell
I'm sorry you're still having issues with this...
Warm, calming, positive thoughts and prayers ...
With our job, you just can't say what you want. That whole "take this sh!t and smile" mentality strikes a nerve with me, too. I know I crave being validated and this is NOT the place to get it, lol!
If you want, you can PM me (or post it here!) on what you would have LIKED to have said before you walked away. I think it would be 'fun' to get it out of your system and you'll feel recharged for the next time.
I usually write what I feel at the time on the BS handouts we get at our meetings/in services. Then, not only do I have an outlet, but I also have documentations. Of course, I say it in a good way, but it works.
I'd document your concerns so you have that to CYA.
I'm sure someone's dropping the ball and they're not willing to throw someone under the bus about it. But this sloppy handling is affecting your job security. Do you have a union? Is there a higher up you can go to? How about the tech admin person?
I'd send a short, clear, email to the president and CC a tech person. It's a pain, but I'd even scan in that letter you have and send it as an attachment. Yeah, you might start trouble, but I bet the problem would be fixed. In the email I'd just ask, "Any update on the situation would be appreciated." You mentioned a letter- not an email. I bet that letter was to just buy you time. Scanning that and letting tech see it will send the message that you are NOT going to let this die.
I had to do something like this last week. I resent a person's email to him, asking to please clarify what he sent, scrolling down to his original content that I hi-lighted. After a month of him not getting back to me, within the HOUR of him reading his own words that were over six weeks old, I get results.
In the meantime, is there any way for YOU to modify your lessons/way of delivering the message so it doesn't shut down and you can keep your DL students happy? Maybe Skype and just sent them the PPs digitally?
I wish you and I could hang out- sounds like we could gab for days!
Yes, friends, it has gotten ridiculous. Thanks for validating that for me. If it can't be fixed, I know at least I can be heard here. It REALLY did me good to write it down here last night. I got it all out, and then slept like a baby. Best night's sleep all week.
Life can be aggravating, but I tell you DS PTSD is magic for me.
Blessings,everybody!
I wonder what might happen if you printed our avatars and taped them in your teaching space?
Just Arfinating...
Do you have a T.A.(or student, for an essay exchange?) that could put mailing list in a group mail list? Also do editing? not too hard but easier for some young tech-y kids.
Exchange for extra credit, letter of recommendation? Still figuring on this,....
...and I will keep computing until you find one that works for you.
my Amigo..
Hasta la vista
Su amigo
Jewells
Yes! Something to get us through the rest of the semester until December. It's ridiculous to literally go back to paper and manual solutions, but, hey. Whatever.
And as for my boss, she decided I don't have to teach any more Distance Learning class until the problems with this new machine are resolved. She put it in writing to me: "the company that sold us this machine has been negligent in dealing with its defects."
Yay! Validated in writing AND freed from having to use it after this semester. Talk about feeling respected as a worker by a boss.
So I'll only need to complain here for 5 more weeks, and no more. Bear with me. Thanks so much for all the support!
I'm here for you!