Hurricane Helene Recovery - Asheville Wellness Response Team
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The Asheville/Western North Carolina region has been devastated by the impact of Hurricane Helene. Whole towns wiped away, an entire region still without power, internet, potable water, or cellular service. Homes and businesses lost. And more than 100 confirmed lives lost, with hundreds more still missing and areas that cannot yet be reached by emergency crews.
Traumatic stress is one of the primary causes of modern illnesses, and every single person living in this region is experiencing it right now.
I am a Doctor of Chinese Medicine in practice in Asheville, and live in the city as well. I am grateful my home was spared and my family is safe, but so many in my community can not say the same.
We all say "somebody should do something". Well, today, that somebody has to be us.
Our goal is to mobilize a response from wellness practitioners (acupuncturists, massage therapists, movement specialists, and bodyworkers) to serve our community free-of-charge in managing the effects of ongoing trauma on their bodies and nervous systems, and recovering as well as we can. This will not be the work of a moment, but of weeks and months at the very least.
I have already reached out to the county both online and spoke with someone in person about trying to get practitioners into the emergency shelters - there is a lot of red tape. Whether we can get in there or not, we are looking at setting up centralized spaces where people can receive free care.
We will need funds for gasoline to get to location, medical supplies, water, rubbing alcohol, latex gloves, cotton balls, paper towels, tents/pop-ups, and more. We will be working to secure as many physical donations as possible, but anticipate needing to purchase a significant amount in the coming weeks.
Anything you are able to give will help us to serve our community in getting through this unprecedented disaster. Thank you so much for your gracious support.
Dr. Christina Velderman
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Editor: Ethics for Acupuncturists
Organizer
Christina Velderman
Organizer
Asheville, NC