Hurricane Katrina, and then Rita, created a wake of unprecedented generosity, support, criticism, heartbreak, mourning, terror and trauma that touched all people. We often think that bad times and crisis bring us together. However, those challenges can also pull us apart.

Dr. Carole, a psychologist asks, “When does compassion and the desire to help become a source of distress?” It may happen if you or a loved one have had similar experiences or losses. Signs of this distress may include behavioral and emotional changes, such as:

• More intense and less predictable feelings
• Distractibility
• Repeatedly searching the media images
• Problems sleeping
• Irritability with friends and family
• Generalized feelings of worry and restlessness
• Anger that is too intense for the situation

There are ways to promote our own anger in the aftermath of disaster:

• Be alert to needs that you can reasonably meet. However, if the media stories create more distress and the news is not new, turn off the TV or put down the newspaper or magazine.
• Take a healing time-out. Reconnect with nature, have fun with family and friends or see a funny movie. You are not abandoning the survivors if you remember them and then move on.
• Hold the intention that each and every survivor will find healing. If prayer is part of your spiritual practice, pray, not with desperation, but with confidence in your higher power.

Finally, Dr. Carole urges, if feelings are truly too big for the situation, talk with someone.

If memories are creating dreams or flashbacks to your own pain, perhaps talking with a therapist or spiritual advisor will plant your feet more firmly on the healing path. Self-care first is necessary if we are to be there for those we love.

Adapted from an article written by Linda Flies Carole, PsyD in HEALING JOURNAL, Volume 3, Number 6, (November/December, 2005) a newsletter from Abbott Northwestern Institute for Health and Healing, Minneapolis, MN).

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Save The Date Houston's first Conference Theme: "Surviving Stroke: The Journey Together" Date: Saturday, April 1, 2006 Time: 9:00 - 3:30 (Continental breakfast at 8:30, lunch included also) Where: United Way of the Gulf Coast 50 Waugh Drive (corner of Waugh & Feagan) Houston, TX 77007 The conference will include: • A presentation by Dr. Judi Johnson, a 13-year stroke survivor who is a national and international advocate for the rights of stroke survivors. • Updates on new approaches to prevention and treatment of stroke. • Premiere of our video with local stroke survivors and their spouses talking about their experiences Watch for more details and information on registration. . .

Need Medical Equipment...
OR Have Equipment to Recycle?

In today’s society we recycle many items. Recycled medical equipment can truly make a difference in the lives of disabled individuals without the means to purchase them. Such equipment makes it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity and self-determination.

Project MEND (Medical Equipment Network for the Disabled) provides low-income disabled individuals with medical equipment, supplies and services. This program helps give people with disabilities the equipment they need in order to live more independent and mobile lives.

At Project Mend, individuals with disabilities can also receive case management services and referrals to other agencies through its social services program. In addition, program staff advocate for specialized or fitted mobility equipment such as diabetic shoes, home accessible improvements and other services that include individual and group counseling for the disabled and their family members as well as education about disability.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

“Preserving Patient Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals Act of 2005” consists of bills in the House of Representatives (H.R. 3373) and the Senate (S. 1405) that help to maintain access for patients to inpatient rehab. Many of the rehabilitation organizations, like the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses are asking their members and clients to call their legislators to support the bill. If interested, you can all the Capitol Switchboard and tell them your Zip Code (House) or State (Senate) and they will connect you. The numbers are (202) 225-3121 (House) and (202) 224-3121 (Senate).

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Spotlight

In each newsletter, we would like to highlight one of our CAReS staff or CAReS participants. This quarter the spotlight is on Karen Janssen, RN, BSN. Most of you know Karen as the nurse who makes quarterly visits to your homes – and asks lots of questions. Did you know that Karen is truly an international citizen who has lived and worked in Guam in the Pacific, Africa and South America prior to coming to Houston? Karen grew up on a farm in Illinois, always knowing that she wanted to be a nurse. She loved working with people in the community to help prevent illness and make their lives better. She worked as a public health nurse in Colorado, Colombia, Bolivia on the Brazilian border, and in Somalia (Africa) before settling down in Houston with her two children. This is the longest stretch of time that Karen has lived anywhere and she thinks that Texas is “awesome.” Karen still has an enormous curiosity about how things work, specifically “what makes us humans so human” – that is what led her to the CAReS project in early 2003. Karen says of her experience working with CAReS participants, “I can barely express how humbled I am. These people have been through an incredibly traumatic experience. Yet, they are willing to let me into their homes and share that experience in order to help OTHERS! That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?” We are all thankful for the genuine concern and expertise that Karen has brought to the CAReS research project.

The CAReS Program
Center on Aging

6901 Bertner, 6th Floor
Houston, TX 77030
www.uthcoa.org
Phone 713.500.9931