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The acute trauma
SAID ALOUD
The acute trauma
Aim. To learn about initial reactions to a traumatic event and how to respond to such reactions with respect and patience.
Trainer. I will continue the story. I want you to observe the Butterfly Woman’ s immediate reactions carefully and think about what scares her. What troubles her thoughts, feelings, breathing, heart, and body? How can she be approached? Is there any way to get near her? Do the things that scare her have common features? Do some things help her?
PART II: THE TRAINING
The Butterfly Woman was hiding behind some bushes. Having walked for days she realised she had nowhere to go and was completely alone. She felt her loneliness spreading like ice to all her limbs. She lay completely still, looking dead. Her yellow dress was torn to pieces.
When staff at the health centre were informed that a woman had been raped, they decided to search for her. After looking for some time, a helper saw something move behind a bush and a woman screamed“ Go away!” She moved slowly and paused so that the woman could see her from a distance. Not wishing to scare her, she sat down in silence, waited for a while, and then told the Butterfly Woman that she helped women in her situation. At first the Butterfly Woman just shouted“ Go away” again. Her voice was filled with despair, anger and fear. The helper continued to sit, and repeated that she was there to help.
After a while the Butterfly Woman started to listen to the helper. She could feel some of her inner ice starting to melt and was able to move her arms and legs. She was not able to speak, but felt gradually that the lady wanted to help her. This first feeling of confidence weakened her feelings of fear and shame.
She managed to sit up. Then she dared to raise her gaze and meet the helper’ s eyes. She could see that the helper’ s expression was free of contempt and that her eyes were warm. At last the Butterfly Woman said:“ Come”. The helper went slowly across and sat down beside her. They sat in silence for a while. The day turned towards night. At that moment the Butterfly Woman felt how tired she was, and she leaned towards the helper who put her head on her shoulder.
Trainer. We will pause for moment here. I do not expect you to remember the story by heart, but I would like to ask you to do an exercise.