Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Lock Down Equals PTSD Risk

Unfortunately in our world practicing for the unthinkable is necessary in a lot of places....especially schools.  As a school secretary I get to see the other side of these drills and know how vital they can be if there is a need to go into a lock down at school.

As a parent of two sons who have been on the front lines to some pretty horrendous actions of nasty people, thieves breaking into the orphanage, soldiers searching around and in the orphanage for "bad" people and many more incidents, I dread lock down drills at school.

Eli has moved past a lot of his triggers for Post Traumatic Stress.  Lucas still struggles with crowds, trigger words and these drills.  Thank goodness once again the school and teachers are aware and prepare him as much as possible.  We talk about the drills at home...a lot.  They can still bring on nightmares and "quiet" periods.  

We've thought about not having him present during these drills but they could save his life.  It's a hard balance for everyone.  Tonight we talked some more.  Lucas told me he still sees the "bad men" from the orphanage days but they don't make him feel like holding his breath so much.  I'll take that as a good sign that he's put some distance between then and now.

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