Frustration & Distant Grievers

There are tons of different kinds of frustrations that a distant griever experiences when tragedy has occurred ‘back home’. This is compounded even more when the tragedy is a massive tragedy such as a hurricane.

The first and long term frustration is that of communication. This issue comes in al shapes and sizes. There is frustration in not being able to call loved ones in the disaster affected area to find out what has happened.

Another frustration is often the language barrier that distant grievers experience. There is generally less native language communication programming that can offer quick and accurate information in one’s native language when someone is living away from their native homeland. For those who are acclimating to a different language it is frustrating trying to find out information when struggling with a new language that is not that familiar. In a disaster situation, distant grievers want information fast and timely just like the rest of us do when an emergency occurs in our lives. It often that information comes even slower and in more fragments pieces.

Another frustration in communication is the challenge that many have in expressing their fears and worries to others who are their neighbors and co-workers when there is a language barrier. Many distant grievers find it hard to express their feelings to the outside world. Fear of rejection is a possibility. Additionally, different cultures have different ways of expressing their feelings. For some their culture accepts intense emotions while others expect expressions of emotions to be limited in public areas. These cultural differences can at times be misinterpreted by the hosting culture.

Another frustration is the inability to help. The geographical distance is such a daunting and restricting inhibitor for many who are grieving from a distance. Many have skills that are so necessary during an emergency such as a hurricane but due to geographic distance they are not able to help. Their frustration mounts daily.

One of my frustrations is that this blog does not afford me the opportunity to go into more detail about the frustrations of distant grief! More information can be found in the chapter “Tears Far Away” in Train For A Hurricane.

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been a Distant Griever? Do you know someone who is or has been a distant griever in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

TOMORROW’S BLOG: In tomorrow’s blog I’ll offer suggestions on how to help those have who are ‘Distant Grievers”.

Please let me know what your thoughts or experiences are.

Peace and blessings

Terrie

www.trainforahurricane.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

International expert in dying, death, loss and critical incident individual and community disaster preparation and response, with over 60 courses, books and training manuals to her credit. She has 20+ years experience in assisting those in need. Dr. Modesto is available for consultations, lectures media interviews.

©2007 Train For A Hurricane.com All rights reserved

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.