I am still coming back home from this last trip- and the processing is slow. My daughter and I have spent the last two days in a daze (we got home late Monday), looking at pictures, putting feelings into words as we see friends and family, as she goes back to school, I try to get back to work. Yet, the transition from living in NY for two weeks must continue and to put this in perspective will take some time. As awesome as the first one, this trip was ten times more intense. I am going to have to give you my impressions in installments- partly because I learned so much I want to share with you, and partly because I can only deal with a little at a time as I get back to reality.

There is no way to put into words what we experienced, though we are trying to give you some ideas. This was the most emotionally and spiritually charged time of giving and receiving that I have ever experienced in and the most love-ing I have ever given or received in my life. The reward of giving hands-on love to these workers, and having them be so appreciative was incredible and quite addictive. Working in St. Paul's, landfill, fire stations- we got to be an integral part of the relief effort. We made new friends from workers and volunteers. We found out first hand how it is working 12 hour shifts in the pit, or landfill. We saw how firemen live as a brotherhood/family in these stations, and how they now have other families to take care of besides their own. We heard them say "when this is over" as they continue to do their tours, build houses and provide for the families of the lost ones, while trying to get back to normal. But it will never be normal. Things have changed. And things will continue to change. Emotions are high, grieving and anger come out in many ways.

By the end of the trip I felt like a New Yorker, giving directions in subway and helping someone at the post office. I found out how it really is there in the stations- they live there yet they must buy and prepare their own food, they supply and maintain their own uniforms, they furnish, repair, and maintain the station, all on their own money. I learned who these men really are- many wanted to do this since childhood and could not do anything else, and they put up with the low pay, supplementing with other jobs to support their families. I learned how the FDNY is not taking care of these men, financially, but more importantly they are not taking care of their respiratory health. This is where we come in.

My last day of work at St.Pauls, I had chosen to work the night shift-2am to 8 am, yet when it was over I could not leave. At night the operation continues, yet in the church, the lights are dim, candles are lit so those that need it can sleep. It was less busy than the day but operations continue. In the morning, I got a private tour of the newly opened ramp, and still I couldn't leave. I stayed on hoping to see friends I'd met earlier in the week, to say goodbye till next time. I decided to lay down on a cot for a quick rest as I had been up all night. All the cots and the pews have blankets and a stuffed animal (donated), so I chose one near end of row. Three times some papers fell on me (I had picked them up to lay down and placed on a box beside me), and two times I brushed them away. The third time I looked at them, misc 2 pg. WTC FDNY orders, with a separate sheet on detoxing from PCB, asbestos, etc. As I looked at it it clearly said among other stuff use vaporizer with eucalyptus!! I got so excited, I went up to three guys putting their jackets on to go back to work, and asked if they had seen this. They said yes the orders they had seen, but not the detox paper, nor has anyone addressed this, nor brought to their attention the desperate need. They agreed they had not worn respirators in those first 3 months, and many now suffer from chronic irritation. They understood that if they dont clean out they all will be suffering later. One pulled out from his pocket his "sniffee" and spray we had given days before, and said he goes no where without those!! I explained we had already created the "adopt a station program" and they begged to be first on the list. So sometimes there are no accidents, and my staying past my shift, having the paper fall on me 3 times, clearly pointed my new direction.

What I propose is someone donates $150-200 depending on how many are in the station. This will provide one or two vaporizers, a professional diffuser, enough EO blend to last a year, and a separate kit for each man to use at home as well (with blend, personal air purifier, flannels, dry skin cream, etc). A big problem besides respiratory problems, is cracked dry skin and sore muscles from months on the "bucket brigade". We can help with that too. So I desperately need help with this- I need a source of /humidifier/vaporizers ASAP. I've already spoken to Christophe on the diffusers. I want to have the first 50 stations set up by end of next trip- there are 300 total, but we will start with the ones from lower Manhattan first. The ones who adopt will get T-Shirt/hat from that station, and be in touch with the awesome guys- many stations have computers so email is possible. Plus if you ever visit you will be treated like royalty!! Anyone interested in adopting please email to sylla@atlanticinstitute.com with Adopt A Station in header so I can separate. The details will be forthcoming, but we need to start on this right away. I will need lots of help with this so please if you have any contacts or sources for vaporizers, please let me know privately ASAP.

Another thing, one station we visited Engine 6, lost 4 men. They purchased t-shirts to sell and give the profit to the widows fund. Only problem is they are a small station, off the main streets, near St. Paul's, therefore they are stuck with a dozen boxes of t-shirts (6 dozen in each box!)- without a chance to recoup their money. They are not allowed to sell on the streets, etc so we thought we could help. We want to make these available at the NAHA east expo in spring, but meanwhile if you would like to help you can order one on your own ! Please write them and order one www.fdnyengine6.org tell them we sent you! feel free to link to this and pass the need on.

Ok enough for one day, will send more tomorrow, and Nyssa promised to have her impressions ready by weekend. and the pictures will get on the site shortly as soon as I collect them.

Once again, thank you for your support, this mission cannot happen without each and every one of you reading this. Feel free to fwd this to any other lists!

Happy New Year my friends!

love
Sylla