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Lessons
Learned
by
Tammy Miser
Being
Active
What
to expect
Going
to the National COSH conference I had some preconceived ideas but
wasn’t quiet sure what to expect. I assumed it would be semi
formal, they would have all the answers, and I wouldn’t quit
understand half of what they said. All of which was fine because in my own little world; I have
no need to be nervous. Well
everyone knows what happens when one assumes!
The COSHians were incredibly inviting and laid back. Everyone
freely offered information and ideas, it was very enlightening.
What
it’s about
I
am sure there is much more to it however from what I could tell of
the inner works; is that until recently they have all been connected
with the COSH Network, which now is trying to evolve into the
National COSH Network. Each
individual facility is non-profit and gain their funding by grants
and memberships; which can incorporate unions, and faith based
organizations. Each of the regional originations have a different main focus.
Most of this is because of the localized needs.
Some of the interesting focuses were: immigrant, youth,
injured, ill, death. COSH tries to tackle these issues with
training, awareness and advocacy for Heath and safety.
My
thoughts
There
is a great deal of information and recourses available and once they
have risen past their growing pains they will be a force to reckon
with, not to say that are not now each have preformed a great deal
in their region. As it
stands now so many other organizations have either dismantled or
lost funding for this struggle of lost workers and The National COSH
are willing to step forward and attack this crisis head on.
If you have been out there you know this is no easy task.
COSH is defiantly deserving of our respect and support.
They have been posted on our recourses for some time now and
you can check them out in your area at:
ARCOSH
Arkansas
Coalition on Safety and Health
CACOSH
Chicago Area Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
CNYCOSH Central
New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
ConnectiCOSH
Connecticut Council on Occupational Safety and Health
GCOSH
Georgia Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
Houston
COSH
Houston Initiative for Worker Safety
MassCOSH Massachusetts
Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health
National
COSH
NCOSH
North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Project
NHCOSH New
Hampshire Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health
NYCOSH
New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
Philaposh
Philadelphia Project on Occupational Safety and Health
RICOSH Rhode
Island Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
SCWCOSH
South Central Wisconsin Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
SEMCOSH
Southeast Michigan Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health,
SEMCOSH
Web Log
SoCalCOSH
Southern California COSH
U.S.
COSH
WesternMassCOSH
Western Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health
WISCOSH
Wisconsin Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
WNYCOSH
Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health
Taking
Honor in a Unusual Satiation
*On
A Personal Note
Since
I was trying to ease some fears of what to expect, I had something
interesting happen after the convention.
My son had been sick prior to my leaving but seemed
better so I took my leave. I
was called and come home early, home to a sick family, even my dog was sick.
Feeling sorry for myself I thought, “my word; I’m gone for
a day and my home falls apart”.
After every one was well again I went on my normal schedule.
Some
time ago I was ask to help out with this sweet little couple one of
which had cancer and was battling it for the fourth time (two of
which I knew him). I
visited him every other week and called often to make sure things
were going well. I
arrive on Wednesday to find all his family was staying with him and
he was not doing well. They informed me that he had been asking about me and wanted
to know when I would come next and we discussed the progression and state of mind he
was in. The next day Bill
and discussed his condition as he seen it, food, family and then
I whipped him down with a washcloth, he loved that and I’m not sure
why I started that but when my kids were sick it comforted them so I
passed it along. He expressed
he was tired so I went off to work on the home.
Within a few minutes he was ringing his buzzer and we (one of his daughters
and I) went in to help. He
insisted we get him up so he could use the restroom.
After getting him back in bed he pronounced he felt like he
didn’t have much longer and ask for his other daughter who had stepped
out. My response to him was
“Oh Bill you’ll be fine, your not going on my shift". Then he started convulsing, I will not get into the details
but we spent about an hour working on him and with him; to keep him with
us. Ultimately he passed
away.
On
my way home I called my husband and told him what happened.
I explained to Mark that I couldn’t deal with this (seeing
another person die in front of me). I
really did love this little man and what are the odds?
If you had any experience in nursing homes you understand that
people do know when they are short of time and need to have that last bit
of control. They may chose to have loved ones around them or want to
go alone so that they may keep their dignity (not that they loose it but
that’s how they feel). My
Husband reminded me of all of this and that I should feel honored that he
chose me to be with him and I should be proud I was able to help comfort
him.
So
why was it important to share this with you all.
As many of you know I had to make a decision to take my brother off
his life support, something that has haunted me daily.
This is something many have and will have to endure.
It is not an easy resolve however keep this in mind: YOU were one
of the few who had the honor of being with them in their last moments, to
let them know that YOU loved, cherished, comforted and fought for them.
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