So this semester I am interning at the American Red Cross in Kingston as part of my Disaster Studies Minor. We haven’t done much so far because I’ve only been there for 3 full days. Mostly just prep stuff, like when you start a new job or something. First day we basically filled out all of our information and got our ID cards, second day we did something called a Disaster Table Top which is a group assignment where you guessed, we sat at a table and basically went over a disaster scenario (Where was it? who was affected? how were people affected? where would we set up a shelter if it was necessary? stuff like that). On the third day we met with someone from the Disaster Action Team where we were entered into the DAT team (extra “t” I know, I questioned that right away when I saw it). So, if a disaster ever happens which hopefully it won’t because that usually means suffering for someone I’ll be able to go to the disaster scene and represent for the Red Cross. We also learned the necessary paperwork to fill out when responding to someone who has just suffered from a disaster. It basically just lists their name and information, a description of the scenario/disaster, and a whole bunch of other stuff. From there you’d refer to a little chart that shows you how much of a monetary donation clients will receive in order to get them going for the next week or so. Although it’s not a lot of money that the Red Cross provides it’s still something, and no amount of money would probably ever bring back the things people have lost.

Anyways, when we ( myself and my fellow interns Jen and Rose) were about to leave we were asked if we wanted to fill out some of the paperwork with a client who was currently there. We all replied no because we had only just learned how to do it but we all wanted to watch to see how this typically goes. So we went into the room with the client and her friend, and someone from the Disaster Action Team and we observed.

It was so sad. The client had been at work one day and came home to find their apartment in ashes with all of their belongings inside, including their pets. It was awful to watch this but after I left it really made me remember how grateful I have to be for everything that I have. Sometimes I forgot how easy I have it and I get caught up in everything that’s going on in my life that I begin to take things for granted. So, I’m going to try and be more mindful this semester, especially while I’m interning at the Red Cross because unfortunately I’m sure I’m going to be seeing a lot more situations similar to this.

Sorry if this was a little depressing. Although it is, it is a very good learning experience at the same time. Hopefully I come out of this a more appreciative person. To change the subject a little, I really like my internship so far and I really like the other interns that I am working with. The car rides are fun since we carpool and we’re going to try and get KFC after we get out from work a lot, which I have no problem with, even though my wallet and body will occasionally.

I think that’s all I really wanted to mention about my internship for now. I’m going to go do mail for my Residence Hall now and then off to Psychology of Infancy and Childhood. Then HEROES!!! I don’t know why I use exclamation points when I mention HEROES because I’m not that excited for it since it’s dumb now. Maybe tonight’s show will make me change my mind.

Okay Later,

Kevin

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