DRT
I am a member of a Disaster Response Team... I am one who is called out during major tragedies of many kind... I am part of a team that covers five states in the U.S. and 13 counties in North Texas... I helped with the recovery efforts of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado last year...
When I work on the DRT, we are mostly assigned to dwelling fires and assist the victims with their immediate needs i.e. food, clothing, shelter, medications, etc... I am part of a team that steps in to do more of the case management side...
During major disasters, I am part of a canteening team who works directly with the first responders, making sure they have all of the resources they need physically and psychologically... If I can help in an emotional manner, that would not be under the term "counseling" just moral support...
In my past, I was a professional counselor, Suicide Assessment Worker, Case Manager for individuals with disabilities, Psychiatric Assistant at a state hospital... Among others...
Many of the jobs I had in the past entailed extremely violent clients, and I was involved in a number of intense crisis situations... I was injured many times during physical altercations... I supervised a team of 10 individuals and was called out when situations occurred which could not be managed by the immediate staff...
I have almost finished my Criminal Justice Degree, completed a 16 week program with the University of Illinois Police Training Institute... I was a security police cadet as a teenager... When I was young, I wanted to be an FBI agent...
Interestingly enough, due to my PTSD and other diagnoses, I am considered legally mentally ill... I am not even legally allowed to own a firearm... I have become a danger to myself over the years, but not to others... I have acted out in suicidal attempts, self mutilation, drug addiction, alcoholism, etc...
I am on disability and garner no respect from the community in which I was part for many, many years... In truth, I am considered "crazy" and "unfit"... It is a far cry from when I was at my best, before my mind fractured... It is humiliating to be considered those things, particularly, by the Law Enforcement community of which I wanted to be part for so many years...
I continue to do the work with the DRT to hold on to that part of me I know still exists... I have much to learn always, as in every situation, but I am good at what I do... I become who I was, not who I am... It gives me a sense of great personal value and psychological acknowlegement regarding my abilities and how they did not die when my "life" ended...
I will not know if I have the job until Monday... It is very peaceful and quiet, working with an elderly woman in her home for 48 hours in a row... I will be making three hundred dollars a month, but it is what I need, not only finacially, but also psychologically...
I will be able to perform my duties effectively, but also enjoy the company of a very intelligent, caring, beautiful woman...
When I am working with the DRT, it is completely different...
Both encompass who I am, of what I am capable, and what my skills and training qualify me for...
They are a duality...
Just as much of me is...
When I work on the DRT, we are mostly assigned to dwelling fires and assist the victims with their immediate needs i.e. food, clothing, shelter, medications, etc... I am part of a team that steps in to do more of the case management side...
During major disasters, I am part of a canteening team who works directly with the first responders, making sure they have all of the resources they need physically and psychologically... If I can help in an emotional manner, that would not be under the term "counseling" just moral support...
In my past, I was a professional counselor, Suicide Assessment Worker, Case Manager for individuals with disabilities, Psychiatric Assistant at a state hospital... Among others...
Many of the jobs I had in the past entailed extremely violent clients, and I was involved in a number of intense crisis situations... I was injured many times during physical altercations... I supervised a team of 10 individuals and was called out when situations occurred which could not be managed by the immediate staff...
I have almost finished my Criminal Justice Degree, completed a 16 week program with the University of Illinois Police Training Institute... I was a security police cadet as a teenager... When I was young, I wanted to be an FBI agent...
Interestingly enough, due to my PTSD and other diagnoses, I am considered legally mentally ill... I am not even legally allowed to own a firearm... I have become a danger to myself over the years, but not to others... I have acted out in suicidal attempts, self mutilation, drug addiction, alcoholism, etc...
I am on disability and garner no respect from the community in which I was part for many, many years... In truth, I am considered "crazy" and "unfit"... It is a far cry from when I was at my best, before my mind fractured... It is humiliating to be considered those things, particularly, by the Law Enforcement community of which I wanted to be part for so many years...
I continue to do the work with the DRT to hold on to that part of me I know still exists... I have much to learn always, as in every situation, but I am good at what I do... I become who I was, not who I am... It gives me a sense of great personal value and psychological acknowlegement regarding my abilities and how they did not die when my "life" ended...
I will not know if I have the job until Monday... It is very peaceful and quiet, working with an elderly woman in her home for 48 hours in a row... I will be making three hundred dollars a month, but it is what I need, not only finacially, but also psychologically...
I will be able to perform my duties effectively, but also enjoy the company of a very intelligent, caring, beautiful woman...
When I am working with the DRT, it is completely different...
Both encompass who I am, of what I am capable, and what my skills and training qualify me for...
They are a duality...
Just as much of me is...
Replies
That is great that you help in disasters-thank you! I agree that if you can get work helping the elderly in their home,it will help you mentally as well! Good luck
Fabulous CV there! Why PTSD is considered a \"mental illness\" I do not understand. And given your history of being on the front lines in disasters, of course you have PTSD, if you didn\'t it would be troubling! I see you have the background to help ME as it is almost impossible for me to understand how my daughter\'s illness was so profound as to cause her to leave me, just can\'t do it, been trying for three years.
Anyone in your profession really ought to understand the stress of those jobs, and understand that there are emotional and psychological effects of those jobs. Cops are at high risk of suicide and I know why having dated a NYC Cop, and a Deputy Federal Marshal, both for years. I know we (those whom life has kicked while we were down) often believe others are judging us as \"crazy\", or \"weird\"...but really, I\'ve found that is not the actual case. Once wounded, our hearts are more open to love others and those people acknowledge it. Stop judging yourself. My therapist gave my riding instructor the \"go ahead\" to smack me upside the head every time I say something negative about myself lol.
Interesting thing many people do not know... The work I do with the DRT is completely voluntary... It keeps me alive, and I would not ask a penny for the opportunity...