| Storms can be deadly. That's why emergency | | | | schedules for a while by delegating some tasks in |
| weather management facilities send out such | | | | order to have time and energy to help their |
| serious warnings ahead of time to protect the | | | | children avoid feeling more pressure from the |
| lives of our children, homes and communities. We | | | | difficult experience that surviving a major disaster |
| know to stay inside during severe weather and to | | | | brings. If you feel that your caregiver 'tank' is |
| unplug our televisions and computers because we | | | | empty, let someone else help you for a while until |
| know that in bad weather bad things can happen. | | | | you get your strength back. That's best for you |
| We know to prepare ahead of time by keeping a | | | | and for those that you care about. |
| watchful eye on tracking the storm and stocking | | | | When you can focus and dedicate attention to |
| up on the resources needed to get through it | | | | understanding the needs of young children, notice |
| safely, like flashlight batteries, bottled water, first | | | | what they are saying, drawing or doing to |
| aid kits and other essential survival supplies. | | | | determine if they are still feeling overly stressed |
| However, what we usually don't know is how to | | | | from the storm. School age kids need to talk, |
| deal with the devastating emotions that come | | | | draw pictures or take positive action, (like having |
| after a terrible storm hits. Emotions like stress, | | | | a lemonade stand to raise money for kids just |
| anger, worry, depression, anxiety and panic are | | | | like them who are now storm victims because |
| common in our busy world but can build up to | | | | their homes were destroyed), so if you give |
| dangerous levels after a critical incident, which | | | | them something to do to help, they can take |
| often can lead to disastrous results. | | | | positive action and sort through their emotions |
| Natural disasters can destroy entire communities | | | | immediately. High school age kids may try to act |
| in just a few moments, while the recovery | | | | "cool" about everything, but often are more |
| process to rebuild from a major critical incident | | | | scared about the changes, losses and confusion |
| may take weeks or months to sort through. The | | | | than any other group. They are older and may |
| more you know about how to survive after the | | | | need to experience a bit more "reality" at times |
| storm, the faster you can take positive action to | | | | to loosen up their ability to talk about what is |
| get your personal and professional life back on | | | | happening around them. If they are willing to talk |
| track. Since natural disasters like hurricanes, | | | | to their siblings, other family members, clergy or |
| tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and floods are | | | | counselors it often doesn't take very long before |
| among the biggest and most destructive forces | | | | they can grow strong enough to deal with their |
| that impact people living in the United States; | | | | emotions and get back to feeling like themselves |
| what can you do right now to cope with the | | | | again. |
| psychological impact of a major storm before or | | | | The greatest danger sign to be alert and aware |
| after it makes landfall? | | | | of is by noticing any dramatic changes in behavior. |
| The most important thing to focus on is this: | | | | If a child was always happy go lucky before the |
| "DON'T MAKE A BAD SITUATION WORSE!" | | | | storm and now sits all day to watch video |
| Keep this single thought in mind as you begin to | | | | footage of the world's disasters on the news or |
| sort through the process of stabilizing yourself | | | | weather channels- then you may want to figure |
| and those you care about who have been | | | | out why they made such a dramatic shift in |
| impacted by the storm. During the storm the goal | | | | personality. Watch for other major changes in |
| is to be safe while surviving whatever nature | | | | sleep patterns, school patterns, school |
| throws your way; blistering heat, the ground | | | | performance, peer relations and so on. If you see |
| quaking under your feet or your house being gale | | | | major changes that concern you, it's time to seek |
| force winds and rain. After the disaster is over | | | | professional attention for the child with their |
| and the storm passes, the goal is to quickly | | | | pediatrician or with a child behavioral specialist |
| rebuild the normal life routines that you had in | | | | - What are some ways to help our kids talk |
| your personal and professional life before the | | | | about storm stress? |
| storm hit. If you get focused on rebuilding, you will | | | | You can reach out to children in many ways to |
| be able to spend your energy in positive ways | | | | help them deal with this stressful time of rebuilding |
| instead of being in a mental fog of confusion, | | | | after the storm. Talking, writing, drawing, even |
| mingled with panic or regret. | | | | making up a song about the experience with the |
| Dealing directly with your emotions will reduce the | | | | disaster will make the time pass more quickly, and |
| tension and stress on you, which allows you to | | | | may even lighten someone else's load of |
| have more energy to deal with a difficult situation. | | | | emotional pain and difficulty while helping you back |
| However, if you stuff your fears and frustrations | | | | through the process. Some families even play |
| in a major disaster, your emotions can quickly | | | | board games like the "worst case scenario," |
| blow up without warning. Exploding in rage on your | | | | (which is based on actual survival information |
| children, your marriage partner or a volunteer at a | | | | from a book by the same name). Many of the |
| water station will only make a difficult situation | | | | issues discussed in the game aren't likely to |
| worse. It's not their fault, and it's not yours. | | | | happen to the majority of people on the planet, |
| Natural disasters are a terrible situation full of loss | | | | (such as how to survive a shark attack), |
| and difficulty for everyone. By taking action now | | | | however, talking about any crisis event in life can |
| you can move beyond feeling overwhelmed by | | | | help kids learn the basics of moving from the |
| intense stress, anger or confusion. As you follow | | | | panic of basic survival to building strengths |
| the insight from this recovery guide, you will be | | | | through problem solving. |
| taking positive steps to rebuild with the focused | | | | - What can people expect in the weeks ahead? |
| energy of an even stronger life for you and your | | | | "Hurry up and wait," will be the motto that a lot |
| family after the storm. | | | | of people will think about in the days ahead. This is |
| To best survive the storm, you need a strong | | | | because the daily life activities like filling up a gas |
| combination of three key elements | | | | tank, taking a warm shower, or driving through a |
| - healthy coping skills | | | | busy intersection with working traffic lights, have |
| - healthy supports and a | | | | been dramatically disrupted. Life is usually out of |
| - healthy perspectiveof how to rebuild after a | | | | balance for weeks or sometimes even months |
| natural disaster. While things will never be the | | | | after a major disaster, and while no one likes it, |
| same as they were before the storm; the | | | | we all have to get through it. |
| following guidelines will give you the key elements | | | | There may be long lines for many of the basic |
| needed to get past the overwhelming stress and | | | | products or services necessary to survive or |
| to find even greater strength on the other side. | | | | care for our loved ones; so prepare now for the |
| - What are the dangerous warning signs of | | | | fact that may be difficult at times. Major storms |
| "Storm Stress Syndrome"? | | | | can kill hundreds of people, shattered billboards, rip |
| Stress from the storm affects everyone | | | | traffic lights from their poles, splintered trees, |
| however; it becomes dangerous to our health if it | | | | shred awnings or screen rooms, rip apart |
| goes on for an extended period of time. Storm | | | | electric-cable-phone-Internet transmission lines, |
| Stress can affect adults, children, the elderly and | | | | snap off traffic signs, seriously damaged |
| even pets, so it is important to be alert to watch | | | | thousands of homes and cause millions to |
| for the danger signs of the psychological condition | | | | sometimes even billions of dollars in damage |
| called, 'Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder', | | | | where they hit, (like Hurricane Katrina did to the |
| (commonly referred to as PTSD), in yourself, | | | | Gulf coast a few years ago). The more people |
| your family members and coworkers. In natural | | | | and communities that are seriously affected the |
| disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes, I refer to | | | | longer it takes for some things to even be |
| the rapid build up of these symptoms as "Storm | | | | evaluated for repair and significantly longer than |
| Stress Syndrome". These symptoms include any | | | | that for them to be replaced. It is wise to |
| dramatic change in emotions, behavior, thought | | | | mentally prepare for the fact that the damage |
| patterns or physical symptoms over the next | | | | from a major storm could take weeks to clean |
| few days, weeks or even months. Since natural | | | | up and months to perhaps even a year to rebuild |
| disasters are a terribly stressful time for | | | | from. |
| everyone, both during and after the storm and | | | | Know that this will be hard on everyone involved |
| often remain stressful for some time to come, | | | | but we can get through it with a lot less stress if |
| there are a number of factors to be aware of to | | | | we work together. Here's a formula to help |
| keep yourself and those who you care about | | | | victims recover from this type of crisis event |
| safe. | | | | faster. It spells out the word "P.A.T." which stands |
| Storm Stress Warning Signs- | | | | for |
| These signs are indicators that the intense stress | | | | Patience- |
| from the critical incident is beginning to overwhelm | | | | Things are going to take a lot longer than normal. |
| the individual. The longer the stress symptoms | | | | Focus on the reality of why things are |
| occur-the greater the severity of the traumatic | | | | disorganized or confusing after the storm, instead |
| event on the individual. This does not imply | | | | of getting angry at everything that doesn't go |
| craziness or personal weakness; rather, it simply | | | | your way. The more you let your anger build, the |
| indicates that the stress levels from the storm | | | | more likely you will dump it on the people you |
| were too powerful for the person to manage and | | | | love. That is irresponsible and wrong, so don't do |
| their body is reacting to the abnormal situation of | | | | it! Deal directly with the pressure of this recovery |
| having survived a major trauma. | | | | time by building a deeper understanding of the |
| It's normal to feel completely overwhelmed by a | | | | situation and what you can actually do about it, |
| natural disaster like a hurricane; however there | | | | instead of feeling angry and helpless about what |
| are danger signs to watch for in yourself or | | | | you can't do anything about right now during this |
| others that may indicate psychological trauma. | | | | time of disaster recovery. Being moody and |
| Adults or children who display any of the following | | | | continually irritated will not make things better for |
| stress symptoms may need additional help dealing | | | | anyone, but it can make a bad situation worse for |
| with the events of this crisis. It is strongly | | | | everyone involved. Why add more stress to an |
| recommended that you seek the appropriate | | | | already over-stressed situation? |
| medical or psychological assistance if you see a lot | | | | Attitude- |
| of of the physical, emotional, cognitive or | | | | In a crisis situation you can't afford to waste |
| behavioral symptoms listed below in you, your | | | | even a drop of valuable resources like water or |
| coworkers, or someone in your family or home, | | | | gasoline-and you should be equally cautious about |
| especially if these symptoms weren't present | | | | wasting emotional energy by worrying about |
| before the storm. | | | | things you can't change. It's time to go with the |
| Physical Symptoms: | | | | flow of difficult situations, instead of trying to fight |
| Chills, thirst, fatigue, nausea, fainting, vomiting, | | | | against it. You can't control the fact that this |
| dizziness, weakness, chest pain, headaches, | | | | difficult situation has happened, and if you try it |
| elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, muscle | | | | hyper-control something as big as a natural |
| tremors, difficulty breathing, shock symptoms, | | | | disaster it will only lead to greater levels of |
| and so on. | | | | anxiety and stress for you. Better to keep |
| Emotional Symptoms: | | | | focused on positive things like counting your |
| Fear, guilt, grief, panic, denial, anxiety, irritability, | | | | blessings instead of counting your problems. |
| depression, apprehension, emotional shock, and | | | | Anxiety, stress, worry and chronic sleep loss can |
| feeling overwhelmed, loss of emotional control, | | | | take a bad situation like this one and turn it into |
| and so on. | | | | an abusive, or out of control one in a matter of |
| Cognitive Symptoms: | | | | days. Protect your attitude and you will |
| Confusion, nightmares, uncertainty, hyper-vigilance, | | | | significantly protect your ability to deal with the |
| suspiciousness, intrusive images, poor problem | | | | challenges that lie ahead. |
| solving, poor abstract thinking, poor attention | | | | Trust- |
| memory and concentration, disorientation of time, | | | | This one is hard because people tend to feel |
| places or people, difficulty identifying objects or | | | | angry and resentful in the days and weeks after |
| people, heightened or lowered alertness, and so | | | | a critical incident. However, it is essential to know |
| on. | | | | that the construction and recovery crews |
| Behavioral Symptoms: | | | | responsible to take action to repair the daily life |
| Withdrawal, antisocial acts, inability to rest, | | | | activities we tend to take for granted, (like |
| intensified pacing, erratic movements, changes in | | | | electricity, water, gas, phone and cable services), |
| social activity, changes in speech patterns, loss of | | | | are already working 24/7 shifts to accomplish |
| or increase of appetite, increased alcohol | | | | that important goal of rebuilding basic services |
| consumption, and so on. | | | | that were disrupted by the disaster. |
| If you are in doubt about these symptoms in | | | | This includes staff from the power company, |
| your life, or someone you care about, it is wise to | | | | phone company, tree services, cell phone |
| seek the care of a physician or certified mental | | | | providers, cable television workers, Internet |
| health professional. Better to actively deal with the | | | | providers, insurance adjusters, FEMA workers, the |
| stressful emotions directly to help yourself and | | | | department of transportation workers replacing |
| your loved ones to immediately cope with this | | | | signs and traffic lights, fire fighters, police officers, |
| crisis because these emotions tend to worsen and | | | | doctors, nurses, school board officials, grocery |
| get more intense if left untreated. Remember | | | | store workers, gas station attendants, yard debris |
| that there are many experienced professionals | | | | collectors and on and on. Trust that everyone is |
| who can help you recover during a time of crisis. | | | | doing the best that they can to get things back |
| You do not have to go through this alone. | | | | on track. Emergency repair crews often work |
| Take action now to prevent stress after the | | | | double time to get our homes, schools and |
| storm from continuing to overwhelm you or the | | | | businesses back on track-count on it. Even better, |
| people you care about. Call a trusted friend to talk | | | | stop and thank them with your kids if you have a |
| through it, reach out to clergy, or call your family | | | | chance. A kind word of "thanks" goes a long way |
| doctor or counselor. If you don't know someone | | | | to reduce the stress and frustration that these |
| to call about these emotional issues, you can | | | | professionals feel in rebuilding and maintaining |
| reach out for assistance by calling telephone | | | | essential services in our community. |
| hotlines which are offered at no cost to you. | | | | - Why do some people seem to become bitter or |
| These numbers are often posted by local media, | | | | hateful after a crisis like this one, instead of just |
| hospitals, the American Red Cross, the Salvation | | | | being grateful to be alive? |
| Army or FEMA. If you, or someone you care | | | | A major disaster "dumps out" whatever is inside |
| about are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, | | | | of a person, so you will see the best and the |
| guilt or grief it's important to make the call for | | | | worst of behavior happening in the days ahead. A |
| assistance now to learn how to get past the | | | | critical incident or natural disaster that overwhelms |
| pressure to begin to feel 'okay' again. | | | | an entire community creates an equal sized |
| - How can I help my family get back to "normal" | | | | emotional reaction in people, so be prepared for |
| after a major disaster? | | | | some unusual reactions in yourself and the people |
| Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods and | | | | around you. Sometimes people who were the |
| earthquakes are often the most destructive | | | | most hurting before the storm will act wonderful |
| events that a person can experience in a lifetime. | | | | and kind on the other side of recovering from this |
| These types of storms are also among the most | | | | type of traumatic event. It's like they find a |
| expensive disasters to recover from financially | | | | hidden strength in a crisis and reach out to others |
| because of being out of work or not having | | | | in a new way. Others just go numb and will seem |
| enough insurance coverage to replace what the | | | | to act like robots. Some people will get loud and |
| storm destroyed. It may take months to perhaps | | | | others will become unusually quiet. There are |
| even a year for everyone to feel that things are | | | | many reasons for the wide range of emotional |
| back to "normal." The actual psychological impact | | | | response; with a common factor being how many |
| of the storm will vary widely between people | | | | difficult and traumatic experiences they may have |
| based on factors like- age, their previous | | | | already witnessed in their lives. Hopefully, some |
| experiences with storm recovery and most | | | | people may have already sorted through these |
| significantly how much stress they already had in | | | | deep hurts and strong emotions before a killer |
| their life before the storm. The more stress | | | | storm hits. If so, they may have a deeper |
| someone had in their life prior to the storms, the | | | | understanding of the need for compassion to |
| longer it takes to recover, and with the additional | | | | others in a crisis. They understand about the |
| stress of daily life coupled with the rise in gasoline | | | | storms in life and react with kindness, sometimes |
| prices the stress levels have dramatically | | | | it may even seem to come automatically for |
| increased on everyone affected by these storms. | | | | them to reach out with positive emotions instead |
| Here are some immediate ways to bring order | | | | of being critical. |
| and calmness back into your life after the chaos | | | | Other people can get completely cutting, hateful |
| and confusion that follows a natural disaster like | | | | and mean in everything that they say and do, |
| these hurricanes. | | | | even if they weren't that way before the storm. |
| 1) Reconnect in relationships - | | | | They may even try to chase you off with a |
| You can't get through a crisis alone. Since we all | | | | broom if you try to help them clean up the |
| were impacted differently, it is vitally important to | | | | broken limbs in their yard! Don't panic, they |
| talk about the stress and pressures you have | | | | probably aren't having a breakdown, rather it's |
| experienced with the people closest to you. Reach | | | | likely a behavior some people call being |
| out to friends and family as soon as possible, and | | | | 'hardhearted.' This comes from year's worth of |
| call people you haven't heard from in a while. Just | | | | unresolved past hurts being piled up and never |
| checking in to see if they are okay will only take | | | | addressed or resolved. Try not to take it |
| a few minutes, but it will empower and help both | | | | personally if the criticism comes your way. |
| of you. Simply talk about what each of you | | | | Remember the rule that "hurt people- hurt people" |
| experienced through the disaster and how you | | | | and then take their negative comments with a |
| got through the storm. Tremendous connection | | | | 'grain of salt' while still attempting to maintain |
| can occur through crisis, so this is an especially | | | | integrity in caring for others who may be able to |
| good time to reach out to friends or family who | | | | receive the offer of a helping hand to get through |
| may have drifted away from your closest circle | | | | this difficult time. |
| of relationships. Take action now to reach out to | | | | - What is survivor guilt and how does it negatively |
| people with words of encouragement and | | | | impact people? |
| support, but don't wait for someone else to call | | | | Thousands of people who didn't lose power, have |
| you-their phone may not work! Go find them and | | | | their homes damaged or lose basic services often |
| then reconnect the relationship while helping each | | | | feel uncomfortable with being blessed instead of |
| other rebuild. | | | | being grateful for their blessings. Remember to |
| 2) Rebuild your routines- | | | | manage your affairs at home and then at work in |
| This is one of the most important factors to | | | | a responsible way, and to pace yourself through |
| quickly get life back on track because we all draw | | | | the process. Doing too much/too soon can |
| strength and security from a structured daily | | | | exhaust you and limit your ability to live out your |
| routine. Bed time, dinner time, getting up to go to | | | | priorities in your immediate family. Helping others |
| school, or work, or church or the gym to work | | | | at the expense of protecting and helping your |
| out. To regain strength quickly identify what your | | | | own family seems right after a disaster, but it is |
| normal routines were before the storm-and then | | | | wrong because it misplaces the important priority |
| get back to them as soon as possible. Even if you | | | | of caring for those closest to you first, (there are |
| are staying in a hotel, shelter or with family | | | | emergency exceptions to that rule at times). Best |
| members for a while, stick with the rituals that | | | | is to pace yourself in the race to recover and |
| you have typically followed that make up your | | | | rebuild. Hurricane or flood seasons come to an |
| daily lifestyle. This way you will feel the comfort | | | | end, but if you over do-things you may end up |
| of your stable and predictable routines, regardless | | | | hurting yourself and make your own future a lot |
| of the stress of the many changes happening | | | | worse. If your home is okay and you can get to |
| around you. | | | | work, be the happiest person in your |
| 3) Reach out for faith- | | | | neighborhood and if you only suffered minor |
| In times of crisis everyone believes in the power | | | | storm damage don't allow the inconveniences of |
| of prayer and the importance of their faith. There | | | | daily life, like having to do without hot water or |
| is tremendous strength in knowing what you | | | | cable television for a while, get you down. |
| believe and living in harmony with those beliefs | | | | - What should people consider when first returning |
| and values. Plugging back into your faith after the | | | | to their homes after being evacuated before the |
| storm will allow you to release anxiety over the | | | | storm? |
| things that you know are too big for you, | | | | You need to mentally prepare for the loss by |
| because you can trust God to handle them. | | | | remembering that things in this life can be |
| Dedicate a few minutes or perhaps even an hour | | | | damaged by wind, water, fire and falling trees. |
| per day to quiet mediation and reflection on what | | | | Our lives and the lives of those that we love are |
| matters most if you want to continue to grow | | | | much more valuable than anything in our homes. |
| strong in spite of the storm. This is especially | | | | Whatever the destruction looks like now, |
| important when you or your children may feel | | | | remember that it can and eventually will be |
| lost, alone or afraid. God cares and taking time to | | | | repaired in time. Keep repeating to yourself |
| pray and release those burdens will help you | | | | phrases like, "It's just stuff anyway," or "the |
| make it through the rest of your day. Many | | | | more things you have, the more things have |
| churches and houses of faith have disaster and | | | | you," or even "our family is safe-and that's all that |
| recovery teams, support services and even | | | | matters since the rest is just a house that can be |
| financial assistance available to help their members | | | | replaced." Changing your mind about things will |
| cope with the crisis. Helping others in need is one | | | | allow you to control your most powerful asset, |
| of the greatest ways people of faith model what | | | | your own internal drives, personal beliefs and |
| they believe, so avoid the tendency of being "too | | | | choices, which is the emotional "grid": that all other |
| nice" to ask for help if you need it. Having a | | | | emotions go through. Change that, and you will be |
| committed personal faith combined with the | | | | able to make even more positive changes in your |
| connection of a local house of worship will give | | | | daily life. |
| you a tremendous sense of community to get | | | | - What final thought can you give to encourage |
| through this storm as well as the ones to come. | | | | us through this recovery process? |
| 4) Retell your story- | | | | Stress can lead you to a greater level of success |
| Young and old alike will benefit from hearing about | | | | if you allow it; which is the primary focus you |
| how other people survived what will likely be the | | | | need to grow through a difficult situation like this |
| worst natural disaster they will ever experience. | | | | one. You will make it through the crisis and you |
| There is tremendous power in telling your story; | | | | will survive if you take action to connect to your |
| healing power for you and helpful power for | | | | supports, use positive coping skills and develop the |
| others who will gain insight and strength by | | | | mindset of looking for strength beyond the storm. |
| hearing how creative people can become through | | | | The biggest part of this process is to reach out |
| the crisis. As you speak up about what happened, | | | | and link arms with others who were impacted by |
| it will make it easier for other family members or | | | | this storm just like you were. Supporting others |
| coworkers to talk about their feelings of loss as | | | | gives you a significantly greater level of strength |
| well. Things will never be the same as before, but | | | | than if you ever tried to stand alone through the |
| life will go on and we can rebuild and get through | | | | crisis. Finding strength in storms by linking arms |
| it better together. Telling your story now will give | | | | with others is what the massive Redwood trees |
| you additional strength as well as connect you to | | | | in California do to withstand incredible pressure. |
| the neighbors and friends as they share their | | | | Redwoods are massive trees...many are over 300 |
| story with you. | | | | feet high, and yet only have root systems that |
| - How does a critical incident like this affect kids? | | | | go 4-5 feet deep. Why don't they fall over in a |
| It depends on the age of the child. The younger | | | | gentle breeze? Simple. The mighty Redwoods |
| the child, the more they look to their parents for | | | | never grow alone. They link their roots together |
| emotional security and strength. If a Mom or Dad | | | | and withstand ten times the stress and pressure |
| are "shell-shocked" or "numb" and not able to | | | | because they are not alone in the storm. They |
| manage their own emotions or responsibilities; the | | | | need each other to stand strong and so do we. A |
| child will feel that pressure and become very | | | | major crisis gives us a chance to stand strong |
| confused and further stressed. Remember, it's | | | | together, just like the Redwoods do. This is our |
| normal to be overwhelmed by a major disaster. | | | | time to get focused, build healthy coping skills into |
| This is why it's so important to take care of | | | | our daily life and be surrounded by strong people |
| yourself in order to take care of your children and | | | | who have the heart and resources to stand firm |
| those your care about through the long period of | | | | by living out what they believe. And it's time for |
| recovery and rebuilding after the storm. | | | | you to stand alongside them as we all come |
| Think about the advice given on commercial | | | | together to rebuild our community after the |
| airliners to parents traveling with small children. | | | | storm. |
| "Should there be an unexpected cabin | | | | No matter what the size of crisis event, you can |
| de-pressurization; oxygen masks will drop from | | | | find strength after the storm because moving |
| the ceiling. Place the mask over your nose and | | | | beyond the stress is the beginning of finding |
| mouth like this and then place the mask over the | | | | greater success. Following the action steps in this |
| mouth and nose of those around you needing | | | | resource guide will allow you to begin building |
| assistance." Take care of your own emotional | | | | strength back into your personal and professional |
| needs first, and then you will be in a stronger | | | | life in spite of the storms. As you grow stronger |
| position to help those around you. If you feel | | | | you can tell others, which will encourage them to |
| overwhelmed in giving your children or others who | | | | press on as they rebuild their lives, right next to |
| may depend on you for support, please ask for | | | | yours. Stronger people create stronger |
| help. It's okay to be tired, worn out and overly | | | | communities and that is the journey you have |
| stressed. That's normal after a natural disaster. | | | | already begun. I encourage you to stay with it as |
| However, it's not okay to ignore caring for the | | | | you build an even stronger life after the storm. |
| needs of those counting on you like children, the | | | | NOTE: you can freely redistribute this resource, |
| elderly or pets. Sometimes a parent may need to | | | | electronically or in print, provided you leave the |
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