In Memory of Warmer Summers

Ochoco Lake, OR to Sisters, OR

Friendly horn taps: 1

Miles: 50

Total miles so far: 4,436

Early morning, leaving Lake Ochoco

When I was very young, maybe in the third or fourth grade, I was exposed to a multiple choice question regarding a boy that was scared of lightning.  The question pertained to how to best help the boy overcome his fear of lightning.  The correct answer was to give the boy a camera and have him take pictures of lightning.  I never agreed with, or understood, that answer, so much so, that I remember it even today.

In my life I’ve dealt with a lot of tragedy.  State troopers do that.   I’ve certainly had my own personal losses too.  There are those who say that trauma is cumulative and one can get to the point of overload.  I cannot argue with that.  I’ve certainly seen that happen enough times.

My function at MADD is complicated, but mainly summed up as one of liaison to law enforcement.  However, there isn’t anyone at the National Office that doesn’t occasionally encounter a victim support issue or experience.  I certainly encounter my share.

In my association with MADD, I’ve always monitored myself closely when it comes to other people and their traumas — I’ve asked myself to be careful.  Could it be that my ability to cope effectively with their trauma is diminished by my own?  Am I capable in the role of victim advocacy when called upon?  Read the dedication below and understand what it is like for me to write that out and not be overwhelmed by the traumas experienced by the woman who requested a dedication for her husband.  After experiencing so much of my own trauma, am I afraid of the lightning?

A while ago, I volunteered to help take calls on the Victim/Survivor Helpline (877-MADD-HELP or 877-623-3435).  To qualify for this, I had taken the appropriate Victim/Survivor Advocate training, but I was very tentative about my capacity for this.  What about that lightning thing?

I think I’ve been taking calls two nights a week for about a year and a half now.  I’ve lived with people’s trauma at all hours.  I reflect now that there may be something to that multiple choice question I didn’t agree with when I was so young.  The lightning is still there, it’s still frightening, but Victim Advocates play a role in diminishing other people’s fear and trauma, and maybe, just maybe, that helps me in my fears too.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving serves a victim or survivor of drunk driving every ten minutes.  Please support MADD in their lifesaving work.  Donate now in support of this cross-country journey.  Thank you.

The street scene at Sister, Oregon. A very popular place to visit.

Speaking of visitors, we had a visit from our new friends from Gainesville, Florida, Chuck and Judy Broward - see my post, "Gaining Gainesville" in April.

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Roy McConnell as submitted by his wife, AmyVolker:

Roy McConnell

This is Roy McConnell of Orlando, Florida.  He was killed August 1, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida by an underage drunk driver, at the age of 51.  Amy’s 19 yr old son and two stepsons – 24 & 28- were also killed.  Amy says, “We had a family weekend vacation and my guys had gone to a movie for fun.  They were killed on the way back from the movie.  My husband started triathlons a few years ago.  Here he is on his pink bike – his training friends called him the Pink Rocket.”