A Passion for Compassion

By Bob Cox

While we were growing up in the mean streets of suburbia during the peace, love, dope era of the 1960’s, my three older sisters and I looked forward celebrating the 4^th of July while enjoying at least two great shows: lighting off loud and flashy fireworks and then chuckling at Dad as he ducked for cover after each thunderous boom.

Looking back, Dad was a pretty good sport about it all. I suppose he could've gotten really angry with us for our blatant lack of respect and insensitivity for the severe trauma he endured during years of combat in the Pacific during WWII, but more than anything, Dad enjoyed laughing at everything in this crazy and dysfunctional world, especially himself. What a great gift he gave to us, the insight to laugh at ourselves

Unfortunately, not everyone has the same light hearted experience when dealing with a substantial trauma in their lives. How many millions of Americans suffer silently from an unresolved trauma and feel paralyzed when trying to break free from the past? If you’re not in this boat, chances are good you know someone that is. Does it seem like no matter how hard they try to patch up all the leaks, a new one opens up? If that’s the case, they could be victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Victims of PTSD are not limited to combat solders like my dad. Literally anyone that’s on the north side of dirt can be hit by a traumatic event and have a difficult time recovering. Just last week, my 21 year old Grandson Zack was stuck while on his motorcycle by a man who ran a red light while driving with a suspended license. For the past 11 days, Zack has been fighting for his life while he tries to regain consciousness from a medically induced coma. He was struck with such force, his helmet flew off and a nurse who happened to be at the scene rolled him on his side, which prevented him from choking to death. The doctors said it would take at least 6 months for Zack to be able to walk again.

I believe that the key to helping others that have suffered a traumatic event that they cannot move past begins with genuine empathy and compassion. Compassion is defined as an emotion that one feels in response to the suffering of others that motivates a desire to help. If you know someone that’s been impacted by a severe trauma and they are not able to laugh it off, resist the temptation to judge them by advising them to just get over it. Take a few precious moments from your life and really listen to them. You never know if your act of compassion may be the catalyst that kick starts the miracles of healing.

If your spirit moves you to do so, any positive thoughts, feelings and prayers for Zack's recovery will greatly appreciated by everyone in our family. Thank you and bless you for being a part of our Go For It family.