Grain Valley EMT deploys to New York for COVID-19 Task Force

Grain Valley EMT deploys to New York for COVID-19 Task Force

EMT Audrey Anderson was just months into her new career when asked if she would be willing to deploy in the middle of a global pandemic.

JUST MONTHS INTO HERCAREER - A LOCAL E-M-THEADS TO NEW YORK CITY- TO WORK THEFRONTLINES AMID THECORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.NOW - SHE'S HOME WITHHER FAMILY - BUT WHATSHE SAW IN THE NATION'SLARGEST HOTSPOT WILLSTAY WITH HER FOREVER.41 ACTION NEWS ANCHORGABRIELLA PAGAN GOTTIPS FROM AN EXPERT ONHOW TO COPE.SHE STILL REMEMBERSHER FIRST CALL IN NEWYORK.Audrey Anderson/EMT"We were called for an elderlywoman in respiratory distressand so we got on scene andshe was in respiratory failureand as my partner and I areworking on her we are a bigthud and we turn around andher husband, he had gonedown he was in cardiacarrest."NOW BACK HOME INGRAIN VALLEY - SO AREALL THE CALLS, PATIENTS,SCENES AND INFORMATIONANDERSON CAN'T FORGEAnderson"there's times where yknow... PTSD is real andthere's many nights since I'vebeen back that I will lay in bedand I just don't want to go tosleep.AUDREY WAS ONE OF 15ON A COVID-19 TASKFORCE ASSIGNED TO THECENTRAL BRONX.AFTER 3 WEEKS THERESHE SPENT ANOTHERUNDER QUARANTINE INTHIS RV CAMPER.Anders"The kids would come up andI think that's what was thehardest thing for me is beinggone for so long and thenthem coming and I could seethem but just trying yourhardest in your heart not tojust run up and hug them.Whitney Logan/LicensedProfessional Counselor for 'TheBattle Within'"That's a part of trauma ishaving some corner stone ofyour psychological resilienceripped away from you whichcan include your sense ofbeing effective or capable."WHITNEY LOGAN IS ALICENSED PROFESSIONALCOUNSELOR FOR THEBATTLE WITHIN - A NONPROFIT THAT NOW SERVESFRONT LINE WORKERS INADDITION TO VETERANSAND FIRST RESPONDERS.SHE SAYS HALF OF FOLKSWHO REACH OUT NOW,ARE HEALTHCAREWORKERS.Whitney Logan/ LicensedProfessional Counselor for 'TheBattle Within'"Everyone is reportingincreased stress increasedanxiety sometimes panicattacks trouble sleepingtrouble eating trouble focusingincreased depressivesymptoms..."LOGAN SAYS IF YOU'REEXPERIENCING THINGSLIKE PANIC ATTACKS,RACING THOUGHTS ORANY OF THESE YOU MAY BEHAVING SOME KIND OFTRAUMA RESPONSE.TO FEEL BETTER - THEREARE A VARIETYTHINGSTHAT INCLUDEPLUGGING INTO ACOMMUNITY THAT MAKESYOUR EXPERIENCES FEELNORMAL.BUT ANDERSON SAYSTHERE IS NO SUBSTITUTEFOR THERAPY.Anderson"You feel alone in thissituationcoming back but you're notalone there's others out therethat feel the same way as youdon't be afraid to reach outwe're all here."IN GRAIN VALLEY, GP, 41ACTION NEWS.IF YOU'RE A VETERAN,FIRST RESPONDER, ORFRONTLINE HEALTHWORKER - AND NEEDMENTAL CARE - HEAD TOTHIS STORY ON OURWEBSIT