President's MessagePosted: October 5, 2022 First of all, I would like to extend the Academy’s hopes for safety for all those who were affected by Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida. The pictures coming out of the Fort Myers area are shocking—the damage is devastating in many areas. Life is short. Mother Nature may alter our lives through phenomena such as hurricanes, or it may simply be the delicate human condition. I learned last week that a classmate from PT school died—she chose to end her life for reasons that we may never know. She left a husband, two daughters, and numerous friends, colleagues, and classmates. I wasn’t close to this colleague/classmate, but it struck me just the same. Should you, or anyone that you know or love, feel that alone and without choices, you need only pick up a phone and dial 988. This number has been in place for about two months now. It is one more option for anyone having a mental health crisis. We all know how challenging life can get—physically, mentally, and emotionally. The 988 hotline is one more way to take care of ourselves and each other. A final note in the vein of staying connected—if you are coming to the NAHC Annual Conference in St. Louis, please stop by the Academy’s booth and say hello. I will be there, along with Deputy Director Matt Hansen and a couple of volunteers. Sincerely,
Phil Goldsmith |
