Comments on: Compassion overfloweth

By: Abbie Yandle

Abbie Yandle — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:19:34 +0000

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

By: Christine Marya

Christine Marya — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:09:57 +0000

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

By: Jennifer Harrison

Jennifer Harrison — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:20:20 +0000

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.

By: the rev

the rev — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:19:09 +0000

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

By: CG

CG — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:36:19 +0000

Les, beautifully written.

By: Gloria Coppola

Gloria Coppola — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:27:13 +0000

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!

By: Karen Weitz, LMT OR License #6163

Karen Weitz, LMT OR License #6163 — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:27:50 +0000

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.

By: Ariana Vincent

Ariana Vincent — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:13:58 +0000

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