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HeroicStories Resources

HeroicStories salutes organizations and individuals working worldwide to "Make the World a Better Place".

Many of our stories touch on important, topical and lasting issues. Here we list resources provided by authors and readers to organizations working worldwide on these issues. We hope these resources will be valuable for you to use personally, to help other people, to network, or to get involved with organizations which work to assist others.

If you have a favorite on-line resource for any of the topics below, please email us at our Comments address.

HeroicStories #592: Then An Angel Appeared

Joyce's intro

• The EMDR Institute
• Answers.com - Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
• HealthyPlace.com - EMDR for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• David Baldwin's Trauma Information

HeroicStories #441: Archie and Abby

Archie and Abby told of a child who was being sexually abused. Her school's puppet show about sexual abuse gave her the courage to tell her parents what had been happening -- and her mom protected her from further abuse.

We were inspired when several readers spoke up and said they'd like to get involved in similar education and prevention efforts.

• Child Protective Services - Child Abuse Hot Line (USA)
• Though now retired, the woman who performed "Archie and Abby" is still in charge of the Child Abuse Prevention Council in Montgomery County, IN.
• ReCAPP: Learning Activity - a lesson plan for "Helping a Friend Who Has Been Sexually Abused".
• Good Touch, Bad Touch - a curriculum and set of training materials for teachers and parents.
• The Stop it Now Resource Guide for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
• From Darkness to Light offers, among other things, the booklet: "7 Steps to Protecting Our Children from Sexual Abuse."
• Yello Dyno - Professional & Parent Tools for the Prevention of Abduction, Bullies, Abuse, Drug Abuse, Internet Stalking and Violent Kids.
• Books Beyond Words are picture books for adults with learning disabilities, explaining difficult issues which are often not talked about. "Bob Tells All" and "Jenny Speaks Out" are designed to enable a person to open up about their experience of sexual abuse. "Hug Me Touch Me" is about a woman learning what physical contact is and is not appropriate.
• Women's Services, Inc. of Meadville, Pennsylvania, has an excellent curriculum available for working with children from preschool through 3rd grade. It includes a book, "Three Kinds of Touches", a video, and teaching curriculum. Women's Services, Inc., can be contacted at PO Box 637, Meadville PA 16335, Phone: 814-724-4637

Thanks to an Anonymous Mom in New Hampshire, Ruth in Pennsylvania, Sandy in Indiana, Cynthia in Oregon, Emily in the U.K., and to Barbara Feldman, syndicated columnist of "Surfing the Net with Kids" for several of the links above.

HeroicStories #425: When We Need Her Most

When We Need Her Most told the story of Kathleen, a caregiver who went above and beyond to help a family dealing with both Alzheimer's and a sudden grave illness.

• The Alzheimer's Association is the definitive resource for individuals and families dealing with this devastating disease.
• Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center is a service of the National Institute on Aging
• CareGivers.Com "Solutions for Better Aging" include references and many informational articles dealing with all aspects of aging and care giving.
• Elder Care Online ... "is a beacon for people caring for aging loved ones ... committed to providing an online community where supportive peers and professionals help you improve quality of life for yourself and your elder."
• The Eldercare Forum is an open discussion group for caregivers, family, elders and others that the author of When We Need Her Most found particularly helpful.
• Most states or other government agencies have a department responsible for monitoring nursing homes and other long term care alternatives. In Washington State, the Long Term Care Ombudsman fills this role. Please remember it can be very important to seek references for any facility or service you might use to care for an elder.
• ARCH National Respite Network is a U.S. national Respite organization. Folks involved in respite give a much-needed break to caretakers of all kinds: those of the elderly, handicapped, foster families, and more.

Thank you to Leo in Washington and Susan in Florida for recommending some of the links above.

HeroicStories #388: Benjamin's Trip

In Benjamin's Trip a 10 year old boy with an uncommon form of dwarfism, SED, is given the chance to meet other children with dwarfism at the Little People of America (LPA) annual conference.

• A young woman with SMD has created a website, which is filled with practical information for those who have SED, SMD or Kniest (other forms of dwarfism).
• Information about all types of dwarfism can also be found at the LPA website.

Thank you to Laura in Louisiana for recommending some of the links above.

HeroicStories #360: Online Lifeline

In Online Lifeline the author, a 75-year-old widow with failing eyesight, told of her troubles getting an particular device to work for listening to audio books, and the assistance she received from a complete stranger who made it work.

Many readers sent us links to sites and organizations relating to audio books and sight issues in general.

• Free reading material for the blind is availble by applying to the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped .
• Bookshare.org is a program to bring books to people who can't read a regular book for whatever reason.
• Find resources for the visually impaired, or volunteer to help at The American Printing House for the Blind.
• For anyone wishing to be a volunteer reader, two services are Talking Books (via the Library of Congress, listed above) and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, which records textbooks and business and professional materials.
• Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of failing sight in the elderly. Hope, help, information, support and resources are available from the non-profit Macular Degeneration Partnership.

Thank you to Judi in California, Michael in Tennessee, Heidi in Pennsylvania, Penny in Arkansas, Kathleen in Washington, David in Kentucky for recommending some of the links above.

HeroicStories #359: Safe Again

Safe Again recounted the abduction of Anna and Emily Nunez, and their eventual return due to the diligent work of an investigative reporter.

• The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• The Polly Klaas Foundation
• The Vanished Children's Alliance 
• Amber Alert Now promoting adoption of the Amber Alert system in each state.
• Knights of Kindness has a wealth of information on all kinds of subjects including abduction.
• Child Quest International dedicated to the protection and recovery of missing, abused and exploited children, and at-risk adults.

Thank you to Maryann, Catherine, Sharon for recommending some of the links above.

HeroicStories #353: Gifts Beyond Price

In Gifts Beyond Price the author, a Vietnam veteran, recounted a visit to The Wall in Washington D.C. by participants from "The Bamboo Bridge" weekend -- a group of soldiers who made it home -- and their encounter with an anonymous woman who thanked them for their wartime service.

We received several pointers to both resources for veterans as well as sites paying tribute to their service.

Please feel free to pass the specific URL for this section of HeroicStories Resource Page on to anyone you think would benefit from it: http://www.HeroicStories.org/reference.html#353.

• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page includes photos, a search function for the names of those memorialized on the wall and much more.
• The Virtual Wall includes a virtual viewer allowing you browse the panels of The Wall and create your own personal tributes.
• The Bamboo Bridge and The Gaia Healing Center's page for the Bamboo Bridge. These sites give information about it as well as dates for upcoming Bridge Weekends and contacts in the Bridge Leadership. A Bridge weekend is free to any veteran.
• Salute to Veterans in Columbia Missouri.
• In conjunction with National Military Appreciation Month, an on-line thank-you note to those who serve. It only takes a second to add your name to a thank you list.
• Vietnam Picture Tour
• Illyria.com - a flavor for what the war was like from a nurse's point of view.

Thank you to Richard in Missouri, Deborah, Resha in Washington, Jan and Tom in Ohio for recommending some of the links above.

And of course Thank You to our veterans and those in the armed forces for putting themselves on the line every day protecting our freedoms.

HeroicStories #309: Talk With Bob and Be Honest

Talk With Bob told the story of a man who became addicted to crack cocaine. Things got so bad he decided to kill himself, but turned to Bob for help instead. Bob found the author a long-term treatment program, and he is now in successful recovery.

We asked our readers for their recommended resources relating to addiction.

Please feel free to pass the specific URL for this section of HeroicStories Resource Page on to anyone you think would benefit from it: http://www.HeroicStories.org/reference.html#309.

• Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous -- The time-proven 12-step programs.
• Al-Anon and Alateen For families and friends of Alcoholics.
• Online Recovery Has links to 12-step recovery groups dealing with many different types of addictions.
• She's In Recovery is an online community for women recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.
• PrevenTragedy is a non-profit that seeks to "Prevent Tragedy" by helping friends and family avoid the destruction -- financial and otherwise -- caused by addicts.
• Renaissance Institute is a treatment center providing a comprehensive continuum of care for chemical dependency.
• The KCI web site has information about crystal meth: facts, letters from users, even a chat room.

Thank you to Marilyn in British Columbia, Canada, Peter and Mary for recommending some of the links above.

HeroicStories #298: The Pen

The Pen told the story of a woman who gained the courage to leave a deteriorating abusive relationship -- through support and help from her friend.

Readers have recommended various resources relating to domestic violence -- verbal, emotional, or physical. These include: how to identify it, understand it, determine if you are involved, how to deal with it, as well as discussion areas and resources for help.

Please feel free to pass the specific URL for this section of HeroicStories Resource Page on to anyone you think would benefit from it: http://www.HeroicStories.org/reference.html#298.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a self evaluation to help determine if you may be in an abusive situation. (It also includes some helpful instructions: "How to Keep Others From Knowing You Were Here" -- follow the link on their home page.)
• The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a useful Getting Help page that includes a national hotline, as well as references to coalitions in each state of the U.S.
• Dr. Irene's Verbal Abuse Site covers verbal and other types of abuse -- the "boards" are very helpful to anyone that needs a sympathetic listener and Dr. Irene has an extensive list of resources including book titles.
• Victim Assistance Online includes many international references.
• endabuse.org from the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
• TEAMCares is an organization committed to ending abuse for all men, women and children.
• In addition to being a relevant site itself, Tahoe Women's Services has a nice page of recommended reading and links.
• Patricial Evans is an interpersonal communications specialist. Her three books describe in helpful detail the process of verbal abuse and the damage it causes. See also her Verbal Abuse website: "Verbal Abuse: How to Recognize It, How to Respond".

Thank you to Karen in Nevada, Kathie in Michigan, and Samuel in Oregon for recommending some of the links above.

HeroicStories #283: Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue recounted the author's experience with depression and the encouragement she received when a friend also battling the disease called 'out of the blue'.

Reader recommended resources for depression and related issues:

• About.com has an excellent depression resource area with articles, references and links, and an online discussion group.
• The National Institute of Mental Health has information for both the general public as well as the mental health professional on a wide range of issues including both depression and anxiety disorders.
• depressioNet, out of Australia, has helpful information and inspiring stories.
• Dr. Ivan’s Depression Central
• The Uniquely Gifted website has many useful links for depression as well as many other topics.
• The Mental Health Infosource has educational references, as well as various forms of support including an "Ask the Expert" section.
• Suicide Awareness Voices of Education has a good information, checklists and questions and answers.
• The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is a grassroots organization that is dedicated to educating people about mental illnesses and working to eliminate the stigma associated with them.
• Silver Ribbon Campaign is dedicated to fighting stigma, and promoting public awareness of the need for support of people with brain disorders and disabilities including depression and mood disorders.

Thank you to Meredith in Massachusetts, Jan in Australia, Alice in Oregon, Kathy in Florida and Kathy in Washington for recommending some of the links above.

HeroicStories #278: A Night To Remember

A Night To Remember described some of the challenges faced by a child with disabilities, and the positive impact one such young person had on the author.

We've received several recommendations from readers for more information on this important topic.

• Parents With Disabilities has a nice set of links under Rights/Advocacy. Navigating the site itself will show some personal stories of families breaking the "mythical rules" for PWD's [People With Disabilities]: don't marry, don't have sex, don't have children.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America
• ADAPT an advocacy group working "so people with disabilities can live in the community with real supports".
• The Access Board a federal agency committed to accessible design.
• TASH is an "international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm."
• http://www.equipforequality.org/ is an organization for Illinois residents operating the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy System.

In response, several readers send links to some of their favorite sites addressing this issue.

• Wheelchair Etiquette on http://www.wheelchairnet.org, "A Virtual Community for Wheelchair-Minded People."
• Wheelchair Etiquette courtesy of the Florida Commission on Community Service.
• Disability Etiquette
• Use Words With Dignity: a page for suggestions for words or phrases to use in place of words with negative connotations, from Community Resources for Independence.
• Interacting with People with Disabilities: from the same site.
• Ten Commandments of Etiquette for Communicating with People with Disabilities courtesy of Rochester Gas and Electric.
• The Utterly Adaptable Etiquette Guide includes terminology, definitions and etiquette, all courtesy of the Labor Commission of Utah.

Amber also mentioned the heroes she sees every day participating in the Special Olympics. You can find out more about the Special Olympics here.

HeroicStories #269: Mirror Image

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition brought about by circumstances often not under an individual's control. HeroicStories "Mirror Image" (#269) dealt with the author's ongoing trauma caused by an unprovoked act of violence which left scars on his neck. In fact, the story told how the author was able to overcome the trauma, substituting positive memories from his past on the advice of his doctor.

Resources for dealing with PTSD include:

• About.com's Mental Health has a good list of Trauma and PTSD Resources.
• The Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute has a number of Articles on Trauma and PTSD.
• The PTSD Sanctuary also has a number of articles.
• National Center for PTSD tends to be a little more clinical in its coverage, but also has good information.
• Gift From Within includes resource materials including a penpal support network.
• Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is effective in treating anxiety, depression and severe PTSD. Case studies at http://www.tir.org/metapsy/case_menu.htm. Definition at: http://www.healing-arts.org/tir/index.htm.

HeroicStories #258: The Waiting Room

Cancer Resources

There are a tremendous number of on-line resources related to both breast and prostate cancer, the two cancers mentioned in The Waiting Room. Rather than list numerous individual organizations, you can go to the following sections of Google or Yahoo for listings:

• Breast Cancer: Topic page on Google, Topic page on Yahoo
• Prostate Cancer: Topic page on Google, Topic page on Yahoo

HeroicStories #256: Get Busy
HeroicStories #448: An Unexpected Reward

Organizations Working World Wide to end Bullying in the School and Work Environment

If you're a kid these links can help you or friends with this problem:

• NoBully, New Zealand
• Bullying Online, Great Britain
• www.bullying.org, Canada

If you're a parent or involved with kids, try these links:

• Committee for Children Information on Bullying and Sexual Harassment
• Bullying Online, Great Britain
• Anti-Bullying Network, Scotland
• Maine Project Against Bullying "Brave Enough To Be Kind", USA
• NoBully, New Zealand also has more great references: click here.
• The kidquestions group on Yahoo groups has a number of practical advice messages on bullying from parents & others.
• Education World has two articles of interest: Bullying Intervention Strategies That Work and Stop Bullying Before it Starts!.
• PeaceBuilders, a community based program promoting peace and safety in schools.
• Information about the "Kindness is Contagious" project from the Stop Violence Coalition, USA.
• Book: Parents Do Make a Difference: How to Raise Kids With Solid Character, Strong Minds, and Caring Hearts
• CBC (Canada) documentary on bullying: Bullies.
• Roots of Empathy is a powerful idea whose time has come. An evidence-based charitable organization, its mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies through the development of empathy in children and adults. Its vision is to change the world - child by child.

Adult Bullying is an issue also. Try these links:

• Adult Bullying - a problem of relational violence
• Campaign against workplace bullying: BullyBusters.org.

As a result of An Unexpected Reward, readers also suggested the following resources for building and promoting a healthier, more positive environment:

• Operation Respect: Don't Laugh at Me works to transform schools, camps and organizations focused on children and youth, into more compassionate, safe and respectful environments. Founded by Peter Yarrow of the folk group Peter, Paul & Mary.
• Operation Respect is the website for the chapter in Connecticut.
• Character Counts! is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of schools, communities and nonprofit organizations working to advance character education by teaching trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Our thanks to Clive in Texas, Paul in Maryland, and Jason in Canada, who provided several of the links above.

HeroicStories #251: Testifying
HeroicStories #254: The Woman Named Love

We received the following list of great links from Susan in Florida.

• Abusenet - This site provides information on Florida's Child Protection Teams and services provided through this association, such as supervision, peer review, second opinions and consultation for sexual abuse and assault cases as well as other types of cases. These services are available to physicians and nurse practitioners in the state of Florida.
• Adopting.org - Assistance for adopting children, information on how to adopt, domestic adoption, special-needs-adoption, crisis pregnancy, international adoption, open adoption, pregnant, birth mother, birth family, adoptee information, surrogacy, search adoptive, etc.
• Child Abuse Prevention Network - A network of information for professionals in the field of child abuse and neglect and one of the most comprehensive national web sites regarding child abuse and neglect. This site provides information on issues related to child abuse and neglect, reading materials, news, resource centers affiliated with the network and an opportunity to join the network email list.
• Comeunity - Resources and parental support for families of children with disabilities and special needs. Includes information on various disabilities, adoptions of special needs children, international adoptions information, etc.
• Florida Children's Services Council - Florida Children's Services Councils in Florida are officially created by action of a county government, and have a 10 member board, five which are appointed by the governor, five which are defined by the 1997 Florida Statutes, Section 125.901. Generally, the Florida statute authorizes juvenile welfare services related to the general well-being of children in the county. Programs and services may include school readiness, neighborhood development, prenatal care, prevention services and early intervention, youth development, and foster care review.
• Florida Department of Children & Families - Organization that helps children, elderly citizens, individuals with disabilities or mental illness, and families in solving their problems and becoming better able to take care of themselves.
• National Adoption Information Clearinghouse - a comprehensive resource on all aspects of adoption, including infant, intercountry, and special needs adoption.
• Prevent Child Abuse America - Prevent Child Abuse America is committed to promoting legislation, policies and programs that help to prevent child abuse and neglect, support healthy childhood development, and strengthen families.
• TEAM Florida Partnership - coordinates and develops opportunities for agencies and other partners to work cohesively to enhance the safety and well-being of Florida families and their children.

HeroicStories #234: Special Edition, 12 September 2000
HeroicStories #235: Remembering Their Smiles
HeroicStories #236: The Spirit of Service

How You Can Help

• Donating to the Red Cross
• Red Cross Canada
• American Red Cross New York chapter
• A special collection of pictures of people around the world honoring our loss

Donating Blood

Many of our readers have recommended blood donation -- not only in the wake of the 9-11 tragedy, but as something that is needed every day. Suggestions include:

• Donating Blood via the Red Cross, if they serve your area.
• If the Red Cross does not handle blood donation in your area of the United States, check out America's Blood Centers to find and contact the agency that does.
• For readers outside the US, we have the following blood donation links for various countries: Australia, Canada, China, United Kingdom. (Know of the appropriate link for your country not listed here? Please let us know!)
• Consider donating platelets or plasma through a process called apheresis. Apheresis donations can be made more frequently, and have the potential for helping more people, than regular blood donations. Check with your local blood center for more information.
• Consider organizing a blood mobile visit to your school or place of work.

HeroicStories #233: Strangers at a Rave

Facts about Ecstasy and its dangers

• Slide show describing basic effects/potential damage of MDMA (Ecstasy)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse information on MDMA
• Partnership for a Drug Free America
• Ecstasy FAQ from Dr. Drew
• Prevention Efforts from The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

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