“Anything that human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.” – Fred Rogers
PTSD doesn’t only affect combat veterans, although it is largely associated with our men and women who have served overseas. PTSD can happen to anyone after they’ve experienced a physical or psychological trauma.
In the early morning hours of June 24th, 2021, the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Florida, collapsed, trapping many people under a heap of rubble. A total of 98 people died that day. Among the fortunate who were rescued was then-fifteen-year-old Jonah Handler.
Since that day, Handler has needed help coping with PTSD that resulted from the tragic event. Although his mother perished in the collapse, Jonah and his father, Neil Handler, have found hope in helping others to heal from PTSD. And in reaching out to help others, Jonah has helped himself to heal as well.
Jonah’s father, Neil Handler, started a nonprofit called the Phoenix Life Project to help those who have experienced trauma and are suffering from PTSD as a result. He has a lofty goal of raising 3 million dollars to help the Surfside collapse survivors, and the first responders who experienced trauma that day, to get the mental health help they need.
Neil Handler said, “I want him [Jonah Handler] to learn that no matter how bad something is, we can turn it into something good. When we turn our attention to helping others, we heal ourselves, and that’s the goal.”
To read more about Handler’s story, click here.
We, at Sheltering Grace, are passionate about helping homeless mothers and babies end the devastating cycle of homelessness. Please contact us at 678-337-7858 to learn how you can help. Your one act of kindness can make all the difference to mothers and babies in need.
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Sheltering Grace Ministry, Ltd. is a 501(c)3 Ltd. non-profit ministry. We resolve the initial crisis of homelessness by providing mothers with a safe place to live during pregnancy. We also equip them with the tools they need to improve decision-making, enhance employment options, and increase family income to act responsibly as the head of their household. All of our services develop their self-reliance to progress to permanent independent living. Please join us in renewing and rebuilding the lives of these brave women – #Be1of5000.
