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Compassion overfloweth
When I heard the news, it sounded like some kind of cruel joke—Haiti was hit by an earthquake. There is no good place for an earthquake to strike, but this desperately poor country is probably one of the areas least likely to withstand Nature’s ferocity.
The news coverage of the tragedy is excessive, yet somehow necessary. This is a horrible disaster and countless fellow humans need help; showing us the realities of the aftermath inspires support. My wife and I made a modest contribution, but as I watch the massive recovery efforts unfold, our donation feels like it probably should—only marginally helpful. The images of merciless destruction and bottomless grief overwhelm us.
Of course, when disaster strikes, ABMP members and others call us and ask two basic questions:
- What can I do to help?
- What are you doing to help?
In cases such as with Haiti, the response is oddly simple, and likely unfulfilling to those who are moved to do something—anything—to provide support.
Give.
When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, massage therapists were in need and many stepped forward to help them; ABMP worked to get practitioners back to their practices. After the attacks of September 11th, ABMP members volunteered countless hours providing relief to first responders. Groups such as Emergency Response Massage International are specifically trained for these types of circumstances.
People typically join the massage & bodywork profession because they are compassionate, caring individuals. A tragic situation like the Haiti earthquake calls to our mission to provide relief. However, this time the need isn’t next door. Worse yet, it’s in another country—a country that had a challenged infrastructure before the disaster. Now Haiti’s need is compounded and our desires to help are thwarted as the cycle of desperation builds upon itself. It is not practical (or perhaps even possible) to coordinate a relief effort yet (if at all) that provides massage therapy. How would I get there? What system is already in place? Perhaps as time passes the realities will change and doors will open, but right now there just isn’t a way to be actively involved.
My advice to those who feel a strong desire to help: channel that desire to help humanity into your practice, send healing thoughts, and, if possible, share your good fortune through a donation. ABMP made a donation to the Red Cross on behalf of our members; we intend to monitor proceedings to see if there is a constructive role we can play. If you’re looking to donate, check out CNN’s long list of organizations providing relief and choose the one that most resonates with you.
Money won’t solve all the problems, or take away the pain, or bring back those who perished. But even a modest contribution—multiplied many times over through individual acts of generosity and compassion—can provide relief.
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Thanks very much, Les, for this compassionate article. ABMP, and members of the massage community in general, are very fortunate to have an opportunity to read your blog and contemplate compassion in action. Ariana Vincent
Comment by Ariana Vincent — January 19, 2010 @ 10:13 am
Having lived in Haiti and returned to massage children in orphanages through Healing Hands for Haiti, there are opportunities to provide volunteer bodywork in Haiti even at this time. I am working with a friend at the Embassy to see if there is a place where massage can be set up as the clinic where I used to go was destroyed. I will update you on any developments that I have. If you wish to contact me, you can reach me at kweitz@msn.com.
Comment by Karen Weitz, LMT OR License #6163 — January 19, 2010 @ 2:27 pm
Thanks to a colleague’s idea I am coordinating a fund raising event at a local massage and esthetics school (Privai Academy). People are already so positive, signing up to volunteer. A client called today to schedule an appt. in the student clinic and when I told her about this event, she got so excited you would have thought I gave her money. She can’t wait to tell her community. People need to find a way to help, be compassionate and feel supported. Any opportunity to help gives you a sense of gratitude as well for all we do have! We are also selling raffle tickets for a service at the school. Only $1.00, so any budget can feel like they can contribute. The local newspapers so far have been cooperative and helpful too!
Comment by Gloria Coppola — January 19, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
Les, beautifully written.
Comment by CG — January 19, 2010 @ 6:36 pm
Nicely put, Les… Mi’ lady and I donated to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Frontiers, designated for the Haiti effort.
Catastrophes are ongoing. The wonder of this world is we can find, easily, the things that most move us to give.
Myself? I give locally, thinking globally. It doesn’t take a disaster to motivate me to give. Giving, for me, comes naturally. Most I deal with in our trade are of the same cloth. To me, it is a tragedy that it takes a tragedy to make people give. Haiti is a mere snapshot of worst case scenarios.
We, as humanity, aren’t prepared for the worst of the worst. Haiti bears out the truth of my statement. Much of what is being given is not reaching the people.
For me, Doctors Without Frontiers is ahead of the game. It doesn’t matter what the problem is, the MD’s are ready to go. We need to have the same preparedness on all levels.
I could go on a rant but will stop here.
Rob
Comment by the rev — January 20, 2010 @ 1:19 am
This is not the first or last situation of crisis that will call MT’s to compassionate service. Given that eventuality, it would only seem fitting that an organization that rallies to provide so much benefit to members could use it’s contacts wisely for world benefit. Is there some way ABMP could encourage and build relationships with Red cross, Dr’s without borders or any other international aid relief service to provide a travel team fit to assist in these times of need. It is indeed time for our professional organization to look beyond city, county, state and national borders to influence the treatment of the global population in crisis.
The incidence of crisis and natural disaster will not disappear, Why not harness the compassion and skills that will perennially come forth into a functional and effective vehicle toward the goal of easing human suffering.
I truly applaud and encourage all of the selfless service that has evolved from this tragedy.
Comment by Jennifer Harrison — January 20, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
Aloha and thank you Les, for this blog, great idea!, and your compelling thoughts for all of us watching the horrific news on Haiti. It is indeed difficult to watch standing by helplessly while thousands are suffering so greatly.
And while I agree with your thoughts as this appears an unprecedented devastating impossibility at least for now, I agree with Jennifer’s suggestion that perhaps it is fitting to rally a relationship with the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF to institute the possibility of a us, as a group, entering such situations, appropriately, with the doctors and nurses to assist in the manner we know is empowering and healing in such desperate circumstances. Indeed we could be teaching such populations the very techniques we use on ourselves and our clients for their continued benefit, as they will certainly need it for years to come.
This is a time when I could pick up and go for a few months, having just moved to CA, licensed under new CA law, thanks to the wonderful folks at ABMP who have labored so long and hard to implement this new process with the State of CA! Thank you, it is very much appreciated! And so, having not settled in yet, I’d be very interested in the possibility of this development.
I was referred by the FedBizOpps.gov help desk that I may be able to get a grant to do something like this as I am very big on teaching stretching and self-massage techniques along with the basic physiological facts we all need to understand to better manage self-care.
And then I thought, with the systems in place, I probably don’t have to re-invent the wheel. So is there already a relationship? I’m more than curious at this point to know what we do have, if any.
Mahalo, and thanks for all you do!
Christine Marya Nonnenmacher
christine.marya@gmail.com
808.276.8250
Comment by Christine Marya — January 22, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
Wonderful article Les. Thank you for mentioning Emergency Response Massage International (ERMI). I am receiving inquiries from therapists all over the country who want to be involved.
ERMI has no plans to go to Haiti for several reasons. It is not safe for us there. Also, for us to deploy to Haiti we would require the same basic resources that the Haitian people desperately need, food, clean water, and shelter.
What we are doing and will continue to do is deploy locally in many states to staging areas where first responders such as Search and Rescue, Medical teams, DMORT teams, Firefighters, and aid workers will be briefed before and debriefed following their deployment. We can impact the entire situation by providing those people with a stress reducing and energizing treatment in the company of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) personel.
What we do is in no way a substitute for cash donations for the people of Haiti. We are specifically trained to help those who work in disaster and emergency situations. Some of our members are also involved in grassroots fundraising efforts to send money for relief supplies.
Thank you to everyone who is getting involved, no matter how large or small your contribution. I grieve for those who perished and the loved ones left behind. I lift up the survivors, and pray that they have strength and stamina for the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Abbie
Comment by Abbie Yandle — January 23, 2010 @ 7:19 am