{"id":1626,"date":"2011-09-09T09:24:53","date_gmt":"2011-09-09T13:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=1626"},"modified":"2011-09-09T09:56:12","modified_gmt":"2011-09-09T13:56:12","slug":"being-a-survivor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/09\/being-a-survivor.html","title":{"rendered":"Being a survivor"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Crouched behind the sofa my five-year old grandson delighted in jumping from behind to scare his family. \u00a0He would often accompany the surprise lurch with a growl, clawed fingers extended and a fantom face that was supposed to terrorize anyone that he felt was vulnerable. \u00a0Both his parents and I were on to his game and we knew that when he crawled behind the sofa that an attack was imminent. \u00a0His grandfather, however, never quite understood or appreciated the game.<\/p>\n

Each time Seb lurched to terrorize myself or his parents, we would fain surprise to his delight. \u00a0Grandpa, on the other hand, was genuinely caught off guard each time his grandson emerged from the back of his hiding spot. \u00a0Grandpa was never prepared for the attack. \u00a0After a few times of having Seb catch Grandpa off balance, we had to limit Seb’s attacks. \u00a0Grandpa was off bounds in allowing these surprises.<\/p>\n

Last year, while Grandpa and my husband, Frank, was in the hospital awaiting surgery on his broken hip and leg, I read Ben Sherwood’s book, The Survivors Club.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0The thing emphasized again and again by Sherwood is that people who prepare for survival usually do survive accidents and bad events.<\/p>\n

As we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on our nation, we are being reminded of the many brave people who helped others to survive and who were survivors themselves. \u00a0It is a\u00a0sorrowful\u00a0time for remembering and thanking God for the lives of those who died as a result of the events that day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When I first began working with The Special Gathering, I was pleased but surprised by all the health and safety precautions that were an active part of this ministry. \u00a0The philosophy that prevailed was that our members who are not only developmentally delayed but also medically fragile deserve every precaution that can be taken to be taken. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The other concern was the survival of the ministry. \u00a0We are small compared to other outreaches. \u00a0However, the past has proven that it is not feasible that any ministry can survive a major upheaval caused by a preventable accident. \u00a0Again, this is driven by concerns for our members. \u00a0Additionally, if First Baptist Church of OurFair City closes down, the members have the option of 250 other churches in town. \u00a0However, if Special Gathering closes, there are no options that can give them the depth of ministry opportunties that are offered through us.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We hate to think of ourselves as vulnerable. \u00a0Yet, our computers, radios and TV’s blare the news of attacks from terrorist almost daily. \u00a0Therefore, it is important that we think and plan for survival. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Here are a few things that I’ve learned about survival from working with Special Gathering. \u00a0They are appropriate for everyone.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Think the unthinkable. \u00a0What can go wrong? \u00a0And what will you do about it.<\/p>\n

2. \u00a0Prepare ahead of time. \u00a0When hurricanes Jean and Frances hit the east coast of Florida, we found that most of our members did not have hurricane boxes. \u00a0They had no idea what to do. \u00a0Those who lived in their own apartments were being left alone. \u00a0They weren’t allowed in special needs shelter; but they were certainly not appropriate for normal shelters. \u00a0Additionally, by law they were not allowed to go to the homes of their staff. \u00a0Too often, staff members left the state for higher ground. \u00a0This was a rude awakening for the entire east coast but especially for the mentally challenged community.<\/p>\n

3. \u00a0Keep a written record of your survival plan telling what should be done in case of disaster. \u00a0<\/p>\n

4. \u00a0Read the survival plan often.<\/p>\n

5. \u00a0Learn CPR and basic first aid.<\/p>\n

6. \u00a0Pay attention of details regarding survival. \u00a0As an example, we should all listen to the boring spiel given by the airline hostess at the beginning of each flight. \u00a0Take note of each part. \u00a0Your attentive awareness could save your life and your fellow passengers’ lives.<\/p>\n

7. \u00a0 If you are a parent with children, know where everyone will meet in the case of a disaster in your area. \u00a0<\/p>\n

8. \u00a0Remain calm but don’t be paralyzed by the events happening around you. \u00a0<\/p>\n

9. \u00a0Ahead of time, mentally rehearse what you will do should by face an unplanned event.<\/p>\n

10. \u00a0Don’t try to be a hero. \u00a0Calmly acting to save yourself is almost always the best thing you can do for others. \u00a0In this way, you become a model that others can follow; and you are getting out of the way of other people enabling them to act to save themselves.<\/p>\n

11. \u00a0Don’t speak to the press. \u00a0Remember this is not the time for your 15 minutes of fame. \u00a0In the height of trauma, you will not be able to express your feelings or opinion correctly. \u00a0<\/p>\n

12. \u00a0Follow the advice of the public officials regarding your safety. \u00a0If you are told to evacuate, then leave as quickly as possible. Don’t think you are smarter than everyone else on the planet.<\/p>\n

13. \u00a0If your transportation options are limited, strategize about ways that you can leave the area. \u00a0Train to be able to walk 10 miles. \u00a0When my husband was in a wheel chair, I trained myself to push him so that we could walk the 10 miles needed to get us to safely. \u00a0In New Orleans, when people were dying of heat strokes on an overpass, there was a shelter less than two miles away. \u00a0People did not think to walk to safely.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It is our prayer that none of us will have to use any of these steps to survival. \u00a0However, \u00a0should you be caught in a place where you, your family or community are facing unwanted trauma, you will be prepared. \u00a0The Bible tells us that we are to be as “wise as serpent and as gentle as a dove.” \u00a0Disaster preparedness may enable us to not only save our own lives and be a model of survival for others.<\/p>\n

What is a survival technique that you believe is important that I failed to mention? \u00a0Have you ever been caught unaware and used one of these steps to help yourself and others?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Crouched behind the sofa my five-year old grandson delighted in jumping from behind to scare his family. \u00a0He would often accompany the surprise lurch with a growl, clawed fingers extended and a fantom face that was supposed to terrorize anyone that he felt was vulnerable. \u00a0Both his parents and I were on to his game…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,3,182,40,186,49,16,8,4,41,268,1],"tags":[690,21,688,7,699,715,701,694,689,6,700],"class_list":["post-1626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autism-spectrum","category-developmental-disabilities","category-disability","category-faith","category-hope","category-inspiration","category-intellectual-disability","category-mentally-challenged-community","category-simple-truths","category-spirituality","category-survival","category-uncategorized","tag-autism-spectrum","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-faith","tag-hope","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-mentally-challenged-community","tag-simple-scriptural-truths","tag-spirituality"],"yoast_head":"\nBeing a survivor - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/09\/being-a-survivor.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Being a survivor - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Crouched behind the sofa my five-year old grandson delighted in jumping from behind to scare his family. \u00a0He would often accompany the surprise lurch with a growl, clawed fingers extended and a fantom face that was supposed to terrorize anyone that he felt was vulnerable. \u00a0Both his parents and I were on to his game…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/09\/being-a-survivor.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2011-09-09T13:24:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2011-09-09T13:56:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/files\/2011\/09\/child-hiding-peek-300x200.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda G. 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