Eleni Kavros DeGraw

Each year we get a little further away from that fateful 9/11 in 2001, but the grief from that day is always within reach. We have never been the same and our connections to New York, Washington, and Shanksville are deeply personal.

Today, I’m taking a few moments to say the names of all of the people with Connecticut connections and the names of my friends who were never seen again outside of the World Trade Center. We honor and remember the first responders who ran into the buildings as heroes and the responders who worked for the pile at grave personal cost.

Please be sure to read the section below about the mosquito-borne EEE virus to protect yourself and your children. As a reminder, September is Hunger Action Month. I hope you’ll take a moment, if you are able, to donate your time or treasure a local food pantry or Connecticut Foodshare. 

Have a great week,

Eleni

• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting
• Dress children in clothing that covers their arms and legs
• When using an EPA-registered insect repellent on your child
• Always follow label instructions
• Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old
• Do not apply repellent to a child's hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin
• Adults: Apply repellent onto your hands and then apply it to a child's face

Please click on the image I've included below for more information on preventing mosquito bites.

• Open-ended questions mean that the person has to reply with more than a “yes” or “no.” Usually, open-ended questions start with how, what, or where. 

Be supportive

• During your conversation, comment on their strengths. It can be easy to tell them all the things they’re doing wrong, but it can close them off to asking for help. Thank them for being willing to speak with you.

Show you're listening

• Listen carefully to what they’re saying. When it’s your turn to talk, repeat back what you heard them say. This helps them to feel understood and corrects any misunderstandings. You can do this by saying, “I heard you say____.

Bring it all together

• These conversations can be about many different feelings and plans. At the end of your talk, give a summary of what you heard them say and any actions they want to take. If they want to get help, ask how you can support them. Also, ask if you can follow up with them to check on them.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.