I am Reggie, a former EMT who acquired PTSD line of duty during my
rescue efforts on 9/11 at the WTC. My EMT work was mostly as a
volunteer since I had a full time job. I had worked for pay for 2
yrs at the start before I returned to work on Wall Street.

I was fortunate that during my crisis, early on, I found this group
Amy created and received help from so many here.

I have moved on to Oklahoma where I met some of the people who were
either victims of the bombings (Called survivors) or lost someone.
I am glad you survived Katrina and I am sorry you endured what you
did.

There is one thing I learned, which once I accepted it, helped me to
start my recovery and healing, that is...DONT LET ANYONE tell you
how you should feel, that you need to get over it, that it cant be
affecting you like this, etc.

First understand that while they dont understand, you cant make them
understand and its irrelevant to your recovery. It's something that
I've had to deal with at different levels from different people.

The one thing that helped me was saying, OH, (paused and sighed) WE
NEED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE! and immediately followed it with
a question. This gave them the opportunity to answer.

I have memory loss and cant remember what "EMDR" is so someone
please refresh my memory.

I just started going back to counseling on Mondays and Warren is
going with me so he can learn more about PTSD. He has been very
supportive and understanding and when he doesnt understand, he just
says, he realizes he needs to be patient!!!

In the past two weeks my puppies had run off after digging a huge
hole. I found them on death row at the pound and paid for their
bail $106.00.

It's starting to get cold here, its gone as low as 42 at night. I
am going to start walking my puppies at night to the 7 eleven (about
1/2 mile).

My lungs are kicking my ass!!!!! Been sick two weeks almost. I
sound like a walrus. Warren teases me and says Im doing mating
calls when I cough and he's gonna keep coming over to me, lol,
although he is mostly wanting to know if I need anything.

sign me
Yankee Reggie