Team Strong supports our community

Team Strong supports our community

by | Dec 6, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Change, Community, Courage, Growth, Our Team, Recovery

Team Strong supports our community

Monday was a powerful day as volunteers from our Landing Strong community gathered at the Windsor Food Bank (Matthew 25) to help with Christmas hamper preparations.

In true veteran/first responder form, we worked like a smoothly oiled machine with maximum efficiency. 500 bags were packed in just under two hours! Ashley the director at the food bank, marveled at the speed and productivity of the group. We left with an incredible sense of satisfaction and pride in our ability to give back to the community.

Our local food bank is an incredibly valuable resource supporting up to 600 individuals in West Hants monthly. This number represents a 20% increase over last year. Led tirelessly by a passionate volunteer team with Ashley and Tina at the helm, the folks at the food bank are working long hours to ensure no one in our community goes without.

Our Landing Strong community expressed great satisfaction at being able to do this volunteer work. Many noted that they felt unable to go out into the community individually to volunteer, but with the safety and support of their peers Team Strong was created.

How might you help? Thereā€™s a variety of ways. Feel free to contact Ashley or Tina through their Facebook page, or call 798-4313. You can also email matthew25windsor@gmail.com.

Weā€™re going back as a group again soon. Please reach out to Jen if youā€™re interested in joining Team Strong. We welcome suggestions and ideas for other volunteer opportunities as a team, reach out anytime.

 

Warmly,

 

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Just how good are you?

Just how good are you?

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Courage, Friday Inspiration

Just how good are you?

What do you say when people ask you where you are in your recovery?

ā€œIā€™m way better than last year thanks but not yet as good as next year.ā€

ā€œMoving in the right direction.ā€

Or my personal favorite shared by someone in group this week:

ā€œOperating at an advanced level with exceptionsā€

The reality is, recovery is a journey, not a destination. Itā€™s not something we ā€œarriveā€ at, with the trip ending at a gold ribboned finish line and a crowd cheering us on. Make no mistake, as you recover, we will be there to celebrate your accomplishments, handing you healthy snacks and encouragement along the way. But often the gains will be more stealth. Suddenly you can sit with your back to the door without worries. You may no longer jump three feet off your chair when someone coughs loudly. Or heaven forbid, you may even enjoy a shopping trip to Costco.

With physical health, we understand that there isnā€™t an end point; a time when we say ā€œgreat, my work is done, Iā€™m good for life.ā€ Itā€™s a lifelong commitment. Emotional health is no different. There is really no such thing as ā€œrecovery,ā€ because it isnā€™t an all or nothing concept.

Perhaps itā€™s more accurate to think of recovery from occupational stress injury as a continuum: a practice and commitment to long-term health.

For members of our community interested in deepening your tool kit, we will be offering an eight-week (2 hours per week) program of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, this program is designed to provide intensive mindfulness training to help manage stress and reduce anxiety, depression, and pain.

Please give Julie a call if you are interested (902) 472-2972.

 

We hope to see you soon,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Good things come to those who work

Good things come to those who work

by | Oct 11, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Courage, Friday Inspiration, Grief

Good things come to those who wait work.

Recovery can be a slow and arduous process.
ā€˜Will I be ready to get back to work by the end of the month?ā€™ clients might ask hopefully.

I shake my head knowing silently that after a career of service it will likely take more than a month to turn things around.

The good news is, good things do in fact come to those who are willing to put the work in.

We see it in our community. Veterans and first responders whoā€™ve been chipping away at their injuries are indeed emerging as new versions of themselves. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with anxiety at the thought of attending a group program, they strap on their athletic gear, rubber boots, sunhats, and hiking shoes as we climb tree tops, go fly fishing, forage for wild cranberries and complete hikes together.

Rather than trying to protect themselves by staying at home, these wise souls understand that with risk comes reward.

It is only through leaps of faith, breaths of courage and hard work that recovery starts to take shape. Every single one of the people behind the smiling faces you may have seen in recent photos, was likely at one point hesitant to leave the safety of home.

Not only are they engaging, they but they are eagerly asking when the next time is that they can bring their partners and spouses.

The work of recovery is good not just for those who are injured, but also for their families. When we look after ourselves the whole world benefits.

We are excited to be offering four great group programs in the upcoming months:

Community Connection 9-noon October 7th, 21st
Maintaining Health October 17th
Advanced Skills in Trauma Recovery
Thursdays November 7th, 14th, 28th, December 5th, 12th
Mind/Body Health & Recovery
Fridays November 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, December 5th

Call (902) 472-2972 or email Julie at info@landingstrong.com
to learn more, or sign up.


We hope to see you soon,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

When dreams become reality

When dreams become reality

by | Sep 6, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Challenge, Courage, Friday Inspiration, From Belinda, Gratitude, Our Program

When dreams become reality

 

Before Landing Strong existed, it was merely a concept on paper. In the paper version, I envisioned a Community Connection day where veterans and first responders who had been injured in service gathered in a supportive group to participate in a community event.

The picture I cut out for my vision board was an advertising image for OnTree Adventure Park. I dreamt that maybe one day our community could go there together. Monday, August 26th was a hallmark event as the dream became a reality.

Forty-five members of our Landing Strong community came together for a day of connection, challenge, and fun. This first Community Connection day was a special one, as we extended the invitation to family and friends.

Some of the feedback we received from the day speaks for itself (itā€™s long but well worth the read):

I wanted to thank you and Landing Strong for an incredible day. I was feeling it for sure the day after, but it was a good sore. The kind that reminds me how good it feels to be active, something Iā€™ve been really struggling with this past year. It was a confidence boost and I felt inspired to get out for some movement yesterday again. The first community connection day was an opportunity to try something that I might not have considered, and because the venue was wheelchair accessible, I was able to invite a friend to come and do something adventurous. I brought two friends that I recently met and we encouraged each other in our moments of hesitation and cheered those moments in the air. The drive home was filled with meaningful conversation and friendships were strengthened. We definitely bonded that day and have plans to do more together. It was great to see familiar faces from our Landing Strong community but not have the focus on us as a group but rather on our own family and friend groups. Iā€™m not in a financial position to afford these kinds of outings on my own so I really appreciate the opportunity to be involved. Thanks again for this day and to the Funders for supporting this initiative! – S

My goodness, it was a wonderful day! My husband and daughter got to meet some of the people in my life I hold so near to my heart. They appreciated seeing the people I share my deepest with. On a personal note, though I feel so physically broken, I was surprised my abilities! I am still extremely competitive and was able to almost complete a black diamond – hardest level. That did so much for my self-worth. Having my able-bodied young blood see that I am still in the game gave me a rejuvenated sense of self. Thank you so much for allowing my family to see the real me! – A

This community connection day was awesome. The soldier always says “you can take the girl out the soldier but you can never take the soldier out of the girl.” …the soldier is talking to the girl and telling her that she loves her soooo much that she is willing to let her go and let her stand up and be seen. At the same time, the girl is talking to the soldier and thanking her. This day boosted my confidence and has helped me in this journey forward. It was great to have my family be a part of it, and see the people in my Landing Strong family. – T

My daughter and I had a really great day. We had a lot of fun, pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone, and got to hang out with our Landing Strong community. I find it really beneficial to bring our families into a fun experience. It is cool to see other families and then my daughter knows where I go numerous times a month; I feel it removes the ā€˜wallā€™ between my two families. Thanks so much for putting this on, it was an incredible day!! -R

Thank you for helping make a dream become reality. Together we will create so many more.

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Taking that first step

Taking that first step

by | Aug 23, 2024 | Challenge, Courage, Friday Inspiration, Growth

Taking that first step

Iā€™m so excited!

Yes, itā€™s Friday, but thatā€™s not the reason. Monday is our big Landing Strong OnTree adventure followed by a pizza-lunch party at Bent Ridge.

Jen Whalen has been coordinating this event. Wanting to be a strong lead, sheā€™s been practicing for the big day by scaling buildings in Halifax.

When I asked her about this training regimen she shared that the hardest part was taking the first step. Once she got started, it wasnā€™t difficult and the feelings of fear transformed into exhilaration and excitement.

To tackle these high buildings, she followed these critical steps:
1) Convince herself that the harness was safe; trusting those around her to support her.
2) Believe in the possibility that she could do it.
3) Manage her breathing to calm her body, even when her adrenalin was pumping.

I love Jenā€™s description because itā€™s very much like the decision-making process for entering a new program. It just takes that first step. Once youā€™re there, things quickly get easier. No harness required.

Weā€™re loading up for our Identity and Transition group which starts September 20th. Our half-day Community Connection Program will be meeting every second week starting this Monday. Our next Maintaining Health session is September 19th. Come be part of the fun!

Have a great weekend, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Should she stay or should she go?

Should she stay or should she go?

by | Jun 28, 2024 | Belinda's Thoughts, Change, Courage, Growth, Recovery

Should she stay or should she go?Ā 

She looks so innocent sitting in the corner of my office. My little porcelain sparrow. Many a day Iā€™ve glanced idly at her while deep in thought. A simple dĆ©cor item that brings me joy. In the past week, three people have told me I must get rid of her. How has she offended them I wonder? Sheā€™s just been sitting there so quietly, minding her own business. Iā€™m informed that in a Netflix series entitled ā€˜Dead to Meā€™, my little feathered friend served as a murder weapon. Even looking at her triggers some of my clients.

A couple of questions come to mind: do I remove her, and therefore eliminate the offending associations? Or do I keep her, allowing my clients to realize that her presence is benign and that not all sparrows are created equal?

These questions form the basis of PTSD. It is an injury of isolation and avoidance. We often believe that by eliminating or reducing exposure to triggering stimuli, we can keep ourselves safe. In truth, this just keeps us injured. Only by allowing ourselves to experience triggers without the associated negative consequences can we recover.

So the bottom line isā€¦sheā€™s staying!

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong