TRAUMA DIRECTOR LAUDS RESILIENCE OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Trauma director lauds resilience of young people
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
THE DIRECTOR of the NI Centre for Trauma and Transformation has lauded the resilience and fortitude of the many young people who were caught up in the Omagh bomb and the accomplishments they had achieved since then.
David Bolton was speaking as the town faces another sorrowful anniversary the sixth since the horrendous deed was carried out.
Commenting on the continuing impact of the bomb Mr Bolton said, "It is clear that many people who have been affected by the tragedy have gained strength and have found ways of positively overcoming their experiences, sometimes after great struggle and difficulty."
He added that the Centre continues to receive enquires from people including those who have had difficulties in more recent times.
"Even though they might have coped well in the early days some people have experienced problems as time has passed, perhaps due to other difficulties in their lives."
He thought that anniversaries were very significant.
"In our experience the meaning and marking of anniversaries can vary from person to person. Clearly, they can be very sad occasions and often anniversaries, particularly in the early years, are approached with dread. On the other hand some find them special moments when they choose to remember in very personal and special ways not alone what they have come through, or where there has been bereavement, the person they have lost, but to mark that they have come through another year."
He believed the recovery of the Omagh community was an important goal 'as we all need to live in an environment that upholds us.'
The improvements in the town itself and the surrounding countryside were an important part of that recovery, he said.
He noted the positive and creative mood of many young people, whose responses to what had been a frightening and distressing event were uplifting, who had accomplished great things, both personally and collectively, and had turned their efforts to the concerns of others, notwithstanding what they, their families and friends had been through.
He felt that many people wanted to be forward looking whilst remaining concerned for those who still carried the loss, scars and distress of their experiences.
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
THE DIRECTOR of the NI Centre for Trauma and Transformation has lauded the resilience and fortitude of the many young people who were caught up in the Omagh bomb and the accomplishments they had achieved since then.
David Bolton was speaking as the town faces another sorrowful anniversary the sixth since the horrendous deed was carried out.
Commenting on the continuing impact of the bomb Mr Bolton said, "It is clear that many people who have been affected by the tragedy have gained strength and have found ways of positively overcoming their experiences, sometimes after great struggle and difficulty."
He added that the Centre continues to receive enquires from people including those who have had difficulties in more recent times.
"Even though they might have coped well in the early days some people have experienced problems as time has passed, perhaps due to other difficulties in their lives."
He thought that anniversaries were very significant.
"In our experience the meaning and marking of anniversaries can vary from person to person. Clearly, they can be very sad occasions and often anniversaries, particularly in the early years, are approached with dread. On the other hand some find them special moments when they choose to remember in very personal and special ways not alone what they have come through, or where there has been bereavement, the person they have lost, but to mark that they have come through another year."
He believed the recovery of the Omagh community was an important goal 'as we all need to live in an environment that upholds us.'
The improvements in the town itself and the surrounding countryside were an important part of that recovery, he said.
He noted the positive and creative mood of many young people, whose responses to what had been a frightening and distressing event were uplifting, who had accomplished great things, both personally and collectively, and had turned their efforts to the concerns of others, notwithstanding what they, their families and friends had been through.
He felt that many people wanted to be forward looking whilst remaining concerned for those who still carried the loss, scars and distress of their experiences.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1680
Published Date: 12-Aug-04
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