Acupuncture Without Borders

Continuing their work with victims of hurricane Katrina

I am back from Louisiana, along with our first team of this next phase (see photo and names below). I am more convinced than ever that Acupuncturists Without Borders is there at exactly the right time, with the services we have to offer. The stress and trauma has reached monumental proportions. People are really struggling, with a lot of pain, and the ongoing need for a lot of hard work. I want to shake the shoulders of this country and say “look at what is going on here, DO NOT LEAVE THESE PEOPLE BEHIND!!” Almost a year after the storm, and the situation is still so desperate. Almost anyone will tell you that people just don’t get it unless they have seen it with their own eyes.

Some things people said: The cautious fire chief looked me straight in the eye and said he was “worried about his people…how often could we help them with treatments?”

An acupuncture client said: “I could survive the storm, but this is so much harder…”

Another client said: “Some days I just want to give up.”

A police officer told one of our supporters: ‘Even the docs are overdosing due to overstress…”

An acupuncture client told a story about her brother, who had seen his wife floating off after the storm, he swam out and saved her. Months later he was suicidal. They called 38 hospitals in greater area and couldn’t find a psychiatric bed. He committed suicide.

Someone talked about the elderly – whole lives have been so disrupted, and they so badly need stability, knowing where things are…so many of them are going downhill and can’t recover…

An acupuncture client said, after treatment for him and his wife: “I haven’t seen my wife’s eyes sparkle like that since I can’t remember when….”

Diana Fried, M. Ac., MA
Executive Director, Acupuncturists Without Borders

We can do so much more in Louisiana with more funding. We need the support of those of you who understand the value and power of acupuncture in this type of setting. We are applying for grants, and hope to get some, but some of the traditional funding sources that have received a lot of money (Red Cross, United Way, Catholic Charities) are not coming through with support for us. Donations can be sent to: AWB, 37 Kelly Lynn Dr., Sandia Park, NM 87047 or online at www.acuwithoutborders.org

Treatments at New Orleans Fire Department

From Jordan Van Voast (current Team Leader in New Orleans): Things are going well with the Team here in NOLA. People are demanding our services more than we can really keep up with. The healing work required ahead is huge, but one needle, one person, one centered breath at a time, we are making a difference. All of us are incredibly fortunate to be a part of making this work happen.

Team in New Orleans at Odyssey House –
(L to R) Daphne Jochnick (Wash, DC),
Marcey Rosin (AZ), Stephanie Trzaska (NY)

Thank you Daphne, Marcey and Stephanie!

Diana Fried, M. Ac., MA
Executive Director, Acupuncturists Without Borders