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Tuesday, January 08, 2013
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Yoga Teacher Helps Sandy Hook Responders |
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Weeks
after the December 14 shootings at Sandy
Hook Elementary School, yoga teacher Linda Antignani read a news story
about the police officers who were first on the nightmarish scene. Many were
struggling to cope with the trauma, but the town’s insurer wouldn’t cover
post-traumatic stress-related illnesses, and several officers were nearing the
end of their paid sick leaves, still unable to return to work. Because a number
of yoga students at Antignani’s studio, Mother’s Embrace Yoga in
Shelton, CT, are police officers or married to officers, the story hit her
especially hard. “I was feeling very helpless,” she admitted.
Antignani reached out to the Newtown Police Department and asked how she could assist the Sandy Hook responders who were facing financial difficulties. After determining that grocery store cards were the best way to help the officers purchase necessities and put food on the table, Antignani launched the Adopt A Sandy Hook/Newtown Cop program. Antignani’s yoga students told their friends and families about the Adopt-A-Cop program, and a post on Facebook caught the attention of a reporter. The Connecticut Post ran a story that was picked up by Yahoo News. “Once Yahoo News did an article, I started hearing from all over the country, even from people in Mexico,” Antignani says. She has since been contacted by yoga teachers from around the U.S. who have volunteered to use their classes to raise funds for the project. Several who specialize in yoga for post-traumatic stress disorder have asked Antignani if they could offer classes or healing sessions for the officers most affected by the tragedy. (Similarly, yoga has helped military veterans cope with PTSD.) Three weeks ago, many of us in the yoga community felt as helpless as Linda Antignani did when 20 children and 6 staff members were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary. Today she says, “I feel as if I am giving direct help to those who were on the front line.” Antignani’s efforts are a reminder that each of us has the power to be a force for good. If you wish to make a donation to Adopt-A-Sandy Hook/Newtown Cop, you can use the Pay Pal link on the fund’s web page. Cash donations will be converted to grocery store cards. To leave a message of support or gratitude to those who were first on the scene that awful day, visit the program’s Facebook page. 1 Comments
Kathleen.. thank you for helping me to get the word out. The officers who are in need of help are following the Facebook page as invisible participants to protect their privacy. If anyone feels the need to send them positive thoughts or words of thanks, please feel free to do so. The Adopt A Sandy Hook/Newtown cop program will continue for as long as the need is there. Linda Antignani
1
January 09, 2013
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