Joe Stapel isn't a man that's planning on quitting his commitment to "The Force" anytime soon. We're not talking about the Star Wars kind either. Joe is a retired Police Officer and way back when, when he was on the street, it's was the Police Force that kept our neighborhoods safe and sound and we all slept good at night right? That may be a bit of a romanticized view of police, fire, ambulance or ER workers, but it was certainly a different era that Joe knew, but the "job".....it doesn't really change what happens to those who do it, and sometimes, that requires some help from professionals during or after the job is "done".
PTSD isn't a condition exclusive to those who have served in the Military. The letters actually stand for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and that an be applied to any kind of situation that causes a great deal of panic and chaos once or multiple times. Imagine the life of a policemen, firefighter or EMT that sees the repeated worst of all of us? Not because we're necessarily bad people, but chances are if you are interacting with any of our frontline people, you are not in the ideal situation of life at that moment. There's more than likely been a tragedy, a loss or a situation that's presented itself that requires special training to handle. If you are one of those specially trained, you are going to carry a lot of memories with you for a long time and to try and manage them on your own....it can get dicey. The day to day can lead to the need for some mental health help, and the cost of the copays...that's where the Help Michigan Heroes fund was born.
Joe and some friends began the non profit to assist those still working in or retired from their specialty of those frontline jobs. There's a remarkably unique bond between those who work in the field and an understanding about people and life that not many get to embrace. There's a lot of call to be stoic in situations that make anyone else crumble. Accidents, violence and illness and death are daily occurrences for those of us who serve in this way, and to help those who need it, it's the least we can all do.
The Help Michigan Heroes fund invites you to a wonderful kick off to a Saturday at the Muskegon Central Fire Station on Terrace Street September 20th starting at 8am. The Muskegon Host Lions will have the griddles fired up and ready to go with the pancakes and sausages for only $5 bucks! Kids under 8 are eating free thank you very much, and please...feel free to donate a little something in return. You'll get to learn more about how the organization works and helps. Your kids will get to be up close and personal with the big trucks and fire equipment and of those who work in the field of police, fire and rescue...what a gift to be able to interact with the public in a way that's anything but what they usually endure. For all of us...what a way to say thank you in a deeply personal and meaningful way both with a handshake or a hug and some funding to help the long term of it all.
Don't miss the event on September 20th.
