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THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® Social Work E-News
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Issue #43, June 23, 2004
EDITOR'S EYE
Dear Social Work Colleagues,
Welcome to Issue #43 of the Social Work E-News. This e-mail newsletter is brought to you by the publisher of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER magazine and other social work publications.
I remember reading about Helen Keller when I was a child, and feeling very inspired by her story. Most of us are familiar with the movie "The Miracle Worker" and the countless books and documentaries on her life after an illness at age 18 months left her deaf and blind. Helen Keller's birthday, June 27, marks the beginning of Helen Keller Deaf-Blindness Awareness Week. Forty years ago, the future looked bleak for thousands of babies born during the rubella epidemic, resulting in their deaf-blindness. Thanks to programs like the Helen Keller National Center, many are now college educated, independent, and talented individuals highly qualified for the workplace. Read more in this E-News about those affected by the rubella epidemic 40 years ago, Helen Keller, and deaf-blindness resources.
Enjoy your summer!
Until next time,
Linda Grobman, ACSW, LSW
Publisher/Editor
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER®
http://www.socialworker.com
linda.grobman@paonline.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
A Word From Our Sponsor
Features
News
On Our Web Site
In Print
Gifts for New Grads
Job Corner/Current Job Openings
Newsletter Necessities
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A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
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FEATURE
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(Editor's Note: The following article is excerpted with permission from http://www.giftfromwithin.org & while it is written for survivors of trauma, it is presented here to help you, as a professional, understand and work with survivors.)
Anniversary Reactions: A Survivor's Guide on How to Cope
By Angie Panos, Ph.D.
What is an "Anniversary Reaction" ?
Anniversary reactions are a re-triggering or re-experiencing of a traumatic event that occurs because of a time cue. A time cue can be anything that was associated with the time that the trauma occurred, from the season of the year, to a particular day, date, or hour. While "anniversary reactions" relate to a specific time, other cues can cause a person a re-triggering or re-experiencing, such as disturbing news reports about trauma. The following information describes anniversary reactions and is a helpful guide to understand how to cope.
A Survivor's Story
What is so frustrating for survivors of trauma is that an "anniversary reaction" can occur even if they are not consciously aware of the current date, day, or time. A survivor called Ashley*, shared her story of an anniversary reaction:
"My father and I went to the market every Saturday morning. We would joyfully share this time of being with each other, talking and shopping. But then my whole life stopped. My father was shot and killed by a stray bullet when some gang members came in to rob the store we were in. I was only 14. My whole life changed for the worse.
"It has been five years now and I am 19. Still on Saturday mornings, even when I am not paying attention to what day it is, I feel an unease inside. Often I begin to have thoughts of missing my father and feeling sad. Then I think to myself, 'What day is this?' and sure enough it is Saturday. I have been to several therapists who have told me that my grieving is 'incomplete' and once I adequately deal with the trauma and grief, these feelings will go away. But after five years and lots of therapy, it had gotten less intense, but the feelings had not gone away. I didn't give up though, I went to a couple more therapists and asked for a new approach."
There are several points in Ashley's story that are important for survivors to understand. Anniversary reactions can be persistent and troublesome. They can occur even when you are not aware of the time. Although Ashley was in therapy and trying to deal with her grief and trauma, it did not seem to alleviate this particular reaction. Ashley did not give up, however. Determined to find a way to cope with her feelings, she went to a couple more therapists until she found a helpful approach. Ashley, now 20 years old, continues her story:
"My therapist asked me a lot of questions to help me express and understand my feelings. She asked me how I wanted to feel about Saturday mornings. I realized that I did not want to give up my special memories of the times my father and I had on Saturday mornings. I just didn't want to think of the trauma, the shooting, the blood, and his death. I began doing things on Saturday mornings to honor his memory and change my feelings for Saturday mornings to a positive experience, like it was for so many years. It wasn't immediate, but little by little the positive experiences and feelings became stronger than thinking about the trauma. I was finally able to control my thoughts about it. Sometimes, although rarely, the images of that horrible day flash in my mind. I tell myself that I don't choose to think about it and distract myself to other activities. Some Saturdays I go out with my friends and don't even think about it. Other times I look at old pictures and laugh about the many happy times my father and I shared. I can now choose how I want to spend the day."
Ashley's story reminds me of a line from Dr. Frank Ochberg's Survivor Psalm: "I may never forget, but I need not always remember." Ashley worked to establish a new meaning to the day, while honoring the positive memories of her father. She found a sense of peace that allowed her for the first time to go out with friends and have fun on Saturdays.
Ways to Cope
1) Talk about your feelings with a professional trained to assist people with grief and trauma.
2) Respect your needs. Do you need a healing ritual to acknowledge your trauma, or do you need to rely on friends or family to distract you from thought of the event? Remember there is no right or wrong approach.
3) Build new memories and meanings for the time frame. Although it takes time to heal, you will eventually get to choose which memories you wish to savor and those you wish to "not constantly remember."
4) Take good care of yourself. Anxiety only gets worse if you are sleep-deprived, hungry or dehydrated. Exercise helps soothe your nervous system. Good self-care is not selfish, it is very important.
5) Talk to your significant others-friends and family who care about you-about your feelings. Following are some helpful hints for them. Give this article to them to read and then discuss it with them. People do care, although they may not say or do things just right. Be forgiving of them, and let them know you appreciate their efforts to support you.
How Families and Friends Can Help
Honoring the survivor's needs is important. Don't tell them to get over it. Don't tell them that they should be over it. Instead ask them what you can do to make it easier for them. Ask them if they need to acknowledge the day with some type of healing ritual? Or would it help them for you to plan something fun together, to keep them distracted from their suffering? Please understand that there is no right or wrong time-frame or approach to the healing process. They may need time alone, or they may need you to really be there for them, listening and caring. You can make a difference, so don't be discouraged. It takes lots of time to heal from a traumatic event, but healing is possible. Don't give up on survivors. They need you. Professional help and the support of friends and family is key to the healing process.
Additional Helpful Resources
Books:
Good Grief : A Constructive Approach to the Problem of Loss by Granger E. Westberg
Awakening from Grief: Finding the Road Back to Joy by John E. Welshons
*Name changed to protect survivor's identity.
Angie Panos, Ph.D. is a therapist specializing in trauma and grief. She is a board member of Gift From Within.
See the complete article and others related to trauma at the Gift from Within Web site at http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/panos2.html
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HELEN KELLER DEAF-BLIND AWARENESS WEEK-June 27-July3, 2004
HELP FIGHT THE 1964 RUBELLA EPIDEMIC
BY HIRING ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS IT LEFT DEAF AND BLIND
Sands Point, NY
The Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) is the only national program providing diagnostic evaluation, short-term comprehensive vocational rehabilitation, and assistance with jobs and residential placement for Americans who are deaf-blind. Local services and training are offered nationwide to these individuals, their families, and professionals in the field.
Be a part of Helen Keller's vision by participating with agencies and organizations worldwide in the Helen Keller National Center's 2004 Deaf-Blind Awareness Campaign. This year's focus is the EMPLOYABILITY OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND. Since 1969, when HKNC opened its doors, much progress has been made in providing vocational rehabilitation training leading to an increased number of career opportunities available to people who are deaf-blind. More and more companies are recognizing and benefiting from the skills and talents of these valued workers.
Originally proclaimed by Congressional resolutions and Presidential signature in 1985, awareness activities and events featuring information about significant vision AND hearing loss, or deaf-blindness, now occur throughout the year, beginning in June, the month of Helen Keller's birth date, during Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week.
For more information about employment of people who are deaf-blind, contact Helen Keller National Center, 141 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY, 11050-1218 or by calling 516-944-8900, ext. 254 (Voice); 516-944-8637 (TTY); 516-767-1738 (FAX); E-mail: hkncdevelopment@yahoo.com.
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A to Z of Blindness and Vision Loss Now Online
American Foundation for the Blind Expands Web Site
Whether you're hoping to find the latest information on accessible cell phones for people who are blind or have low vision, looking for resources to help teach a visually impaired student in your classroom, working for a corporation researching ADA compliance, or are experiencing vision loss and want to learn how to maintain your independence, http://www.AFB.org has the answer.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Web site offers information and resources for the 10 million Americans who are blind or have low vision. All the site's content is either new or recently updated to reflect the growing demand for current and reliable information for a population that is expected to grow dramatically as baby boomers age.
The site's features include a glossary of eye conditions, "etiquette tips" for interacting with a person who is blind, and a home page function called "Where can I find?," allowing visitors to locate organizations in their state that provide services-from dog guide training to newspaper reading services to education services-for people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. There is also an extensive searchable database of assistive technology products used by people who are blind or visually impaired.
The site also retains popular features, such as the Helen Keller Archives and the Braille Bug® -a kids' section with games and activities to promote literacy and demystify braille. Visitors can read about the latest assistive technology in AccessWorld® -AFB's premier, online technology magazine-or search for a mentor through CareerConnect, AFB's Internet-based employment resource center.
In accordance with AFB's mission, the Web site is a technologically advanced model of accessibility. Visitors can customize the pages to meet their viewing needs. For example, a person with low vision can change color, contrast, and text size to better view the site, while people using an audio screen reader can change the navigation of interior pages to better accommodate their needs.
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MORE RESOURCES ON RUBELLA, DEAF-BLINDNESS, HELEN KELLER, AND ACCESSIBILITY
Rubella Vaccine Questions and Answers: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/rubella/qandavax.asp
Deafblindinfo.org-An introduction to deaf-blindness, funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services: http://www.deafblindinfo.org/
A-Z to Deafblindness-A site developed by a deaf-blind person for deaf-blind people. Includes information about deaf-blindness, the deaf-blind manual alphabet, Internet resources, and more: http://www.deafblind.com/
Helen Keller Biography-information about Helen Keller's life, photographs, correspondence and writings, artifacts, and bibliography, from the American Foundation for the Blind: http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=1
Sense-UK Deafblind Charity: http://www.sense.org.uk/homepage.cfm
Could Helen Keller Read Your Page? A tutorial on making your Web pages accessible, from All Things Web: http://www.pantos.org/atw/35412.html
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NEWS
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CALL FOR PAPERS: EXPANDING HORIZONS FOR THE EARLY YEARS
Friday & Saturday, April 15-16, 2005
The Holiday Inn on King Street, Toronto
A joint conference of the Infant Mental Health Promotion Project (IMP) and the Ontario Association for Infant Development (OAID)
Submissions are invited for 90-Minute Presentations/Papers, 90-Minute Interactive Workshops, 90-Minute Symposiums, and Posters on
* Innovative infant mental health interventions, programs, evaluation, & research
* New knowledge on normal early development and underlying contributions to developmental delays and disorders
* Family-centred practice, cross-cultural competence, and father involvement
* Case presentations on individual or group work with young children and families
* Interagency and interdisciplinary collaboration
Presentations and workshops should include a varied format, handout materials of no more than 10 pages, and time for audience participation.
Submissions may only be made online or on an official form. For a copy of the form, contact: rhona.wolpert@sickkids.ca
To make an online submission, see http://www.sickkids.ca/imp/section.asp?s=APRIL+2005+CONFERENCE&sID=8931
Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2004.
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ON OUR WEB SITE
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THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER's Web site at http://www.socialworker.com includes the full text of many sample articles from past issues of the magazine. Go to the Back Issues page at http://www.socialworker.com/backissu.htm to find links to these articles. Here you will also find information on ordering back issues either in print or electronically.
Our online discussion forum/message board is a place for open discussion of a variety of social work-related issues. Join in our discussion at http://www.socialworker.com/discus -- you do not have to be a registered user to participate, but registering allows you to use some additional features of the message board. Recent discussions have focused on ethical dilemmas, applying to graduate school, and more.
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IN PRINT
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SUMMER ISSUE AVAILABLE SOON
The Summer issue of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER magazine will be available soon. Here are some highlights of this issue:
Ethics: Asserting Myself-Do I Dare?
Field Placement: Shaping Your Professional Self in the Practicum
Traumatic Stress and Prostitution: Reexperienced Trauma for Regained Control
A Miracle Among Devastation: My Semester in Zimbabwe
Reflections on Social Work for Graduates
Career Talk: Getting Prepared for the Job Interview
How to Avoid the Crash and Burn
New Technologies Reshaping Social Work: Emerging Issues
and more!
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GIFTS FOR GRADS
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Do you know someone who is graduating with a social work degree? Here are some graduation gift ideas:
Subscription to THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER magazine--$15 for 1 year (to U.S. address)
Books-DAYS IN THE LIVES OF SOCIAL WORKERS offers an overview of "typical" days in 50 different social work settings! THE SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICANT'S HANDBOOK is a great gift for a graduating BSW who is thinking about graduate school.
"I Am a Social Worker" Buttons-We have received a new shipment of the red buttons with yellow lettering. Stock up on them and give them to your fellow classmates, or the student interns in your agency.
These items and more are available at our online store at http://www.whitehatcommunications.com/store
We also have specialty items (social work mugs, teddy bears, and more) at http://www.cafepress.com/socialworker -- you won't find these ANYWHERE else!
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JOB CORNER
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CURRENT JOB OPENINGS:
Chief Clinical Officer, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, Cincinnati, OH-http://jobs.socialworkjobbank.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=122&jb=457763
Qualified Social Workers, CareandHealth Overseas Recruitment, throughout the UK-http://jobs.socialworkjobbank.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=122&jb=470608
Financial Benefits Counselor, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco, CA-http://jobs.socialworkjobbank.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=122&jb=470594
Click on the links above (or copy and paste them into your browser, if they do not show up as links in your e-mail) to see the full detailed listings for these jobs at SocialWorkJobBank.com.
Find more jobs at http://www.socialworkjobbank.com, THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER's online job board and career center. Both new grads and experienced social work practitioners are included in our ever-growing candidate profile bank, which now includes over 3,700 confidential profiles/resumes of social work job seekers! We are proud of the fact that this site was chosen as one of 350 (out of 40,000+ employment sites) to be included in Weddle's Recruiter's and Job Seeker's Guide to Employment Web Sites 2004.
SocialWorkJobBank.com is easy to use and affordable for employers, too. If you or your agency are hiring social workers, please include SocialWorkJobBank.com in your recruiting efforts. Please check the SocialWorkJobBank "products/pricing" page for job posting options and SPECIAL offers.
All job seeker services are FREE-including searching current job openings, posting your confidential resume/profile, and requesting e-mail job alerts. Please let employers know that you saw their listings in the SOCIAL WORK E-NEWS and at SocialWorkJobBank.com.
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NEWSLETTER NECESSITIES
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® SOCIAL WORK E-NEWS is published by:
White Hat Communications (publisher of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® magazine and THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® ONLINE)
P.O. Box 5390
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0390
Linda Grobman, Editor
linda.grobman@paonline.com
http://www.socialworker.com
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