Host's Note: If you'd prefer to watch this interview, check out the Youtube video.
This episode features our guest, Geralyn Ritter, survivor of the 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment and author of Bone by Bone, a memoir including her lessons learned during her arduous recovery process.
TOPICS COVERED:
- Unexpectedness of sudden trauma and the most difficult parts of her story
- Uncertainty and learning to give up the need to know and control
- Being inside the pain makes it so hard to see progress and the path ahead
- Resiliency - how her family kept her going
- Being as present as she could for her teen sons
- Finding positives in her journey
- The impact of her husband and kids being unexpected caregivers
- The importance of caregivers having outside support
- Recovery is hard and different for every single one
- Optimism v. realism (finding balance)
- Not being in charge of her healing time table
- Realizing how broken she was and why she sometimes felt like a failure
- PTSD and the depths of depression and darkness
- Physical pain and mental health link
- Why she wouldn't have had such a desire to live had it not been for her prescription drugs
- The patient perspective on the opioid crisis
- Stigma and shame of fighting for pain medications
- Opioids have to have room for nuance and the new CDC guidelines and initiatives
- The risk of suicidality without weaning off drugs
- Why laughter kept her going and why it's okay to find joy and silliness inside of heartache
GUEST'S MOST USEFUL RESOURCES IN THEIR HEALING:
1. Laughter! Laughter gives you a glimpse of normality inside of grief.
2. Learning about trauma to find ways to connect to others to be less lonely.
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT OUR GUEST:
1. Website
2. Book site
3. Organon & Co - a company launched in dedication to women's health where Geralyn is an exec VP
4. FB
5. IG
Tags: #traumarecovery #traumarecoverycoach #traumahealing #healingfromtrauma #traumasurvivor #survivorhood #ifsinformed #amtrakderailment #amtrak188 #acutetrauma #bonebybone #broken #suddentrauma #uncertainty #resiliency #findingpositives #caregivers #optimism #realism #ptsd #physicalpain #opioids #findingbalance #patientperspective
Trauma Survivorhood is hosted by Sara Miley, CTRC-A, IFS - an IFS-informed certified trauma recovery coach with her own private practice called Full Circle Wellspring LLC. For one-to-one coaching, IFS guidance, classes, and more - visit: www.fullcirclewellspring.com
To learn more about coachsulting and the Personalized Trauma Healing System™:
www.personalizedtraumahealingsystem.com
Like and Follow for latest news and promotions:
https://www.instagram.com/coachsaramiley
www.facebook.com/fullcirclewellspring
For all past episodes, check out the Trauma Survivorhood’s podcast home: www.traumasurvivorhoodpodcast.com
For all the episode videos, check out:
www.youtube.com/@fullcirclewellspring
© 2024 Trauma Survivorhood with Sara Miley and Full Circle Wellspring LLC
