Rebuilding After the Fires

FEATURE

We’ve just witnessed one of the worst bushfire seasons on record. AMANDA MAC looks at rebuilding lives and properties in the aftermath of Australia’s tragic summer.

To be honest, I can’t even begin to image what it would be like to see a massive multi-storeyhigh bushfire roaring towards me. Nor can I begin to fully comprehend the terror experienced by people who have recently lived through that exact scenario.

This fire season has been horrific – so bad, in fact, that it’s received global attention.

Just witnessing those events unfolding during news broadcasts is enough to trigger feelings of anxiety, helplessness and depression – how much more so for those that have come face-to-face with such catastrophic devastation?

The big question, of course, is how to go forward from here? How to even begin re-building when for many that must seem like an impossible task?

You are your first priority

Taking care of your own physical and mental well-being is critical – without that, everything else will seem insurmountable. If you’ve suffered smoke inhalation, burns or other injuries, don’t assume that ‘you’ll be right’ – seek medical assistance. And don’t underestimate the depth of the trauma you’ve endured. The fear, loss and displacement caused by the fires can have serious consequences for your mental and emotional health, including the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – the signs and symptoms of which include reliving the event through vivid memories, sleeping difficulties, irritability, lack of concentration, losing interest in day-to-day activities, feeling cut off and detached, or emotionally flat and numb. As Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Advisor at Beyond Blue notes: “Everyone responds to disasters differently, there’s no right or wrong way to feel. It’s about recognising when you are having a hard time and getting help early.” If you are at all concerned about the way you are feeling, help is available 24/7 from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Lifeline on 13 11 14, or pay a visit to your GP.

Your horse’s well-being

Horses that have been exposed to the trauma of bushfire, and have subsequently suffered the disruption of being moved into an environment that is not their own, or have lost friends or family in the fires, can also suffer from stress. This can manifest as distraction or anxiety while being ridden, fidgeting while being tacked up when previously this was not an issue, sensitivity to grooming, resistance to being led, or, if stabled, exhibiting behaviour such as weaving or cribbing.

Be mindful of any changes in your horse, and if you’re concerned, seek out the help of a practitioner who specialises in healing horses after trauma. Herbs such as camomile, therapy with essential oils and supplementing with minerals such as magnesium, can go a long way to helping your equine friend come to terms with the trauma and grief it’s suffered. And it goes without saying that increasing the usual doses of wither scratches, pats, patience, love and reassurance are highly recommended!

A horse that’s been exposed to fire and smoke inhalation is likely to require attention from a vet. If not properly treated, significant swelling may occur around the site of a burn, which can be difficult to manage and is also vulnerable to infection. It’s always better to have your horse thoroughly checked over as soon after the event as possible, and to arrange for regular re-checks to ensure that any symptoms that arise in the days that follow are adequately treated.

If your horse has inhaled smoke, or smoke remains in the air, the ill-effects might not necessarily become obvious for several weeks. Should he or she begin to show signs of reduced lung function, higher than normal body temperature, or soot stained discharge from the nostrils, contact your vet immediately.

General care should include access to plenty of fresh, uncontaminated water, shelter, feed, and a safe, adequately fenced environment. Limiting exercise when smoke is present is also critical to your horse’s well-being. And be on the look-out for colic, which is a common problem when horses undergo a sudden and dramatic change to their diet, as might occur when they’re moved to a new environment. If they’re

suddenly off their feed, or become restless and want to roll excessively, they need immediate veterinary attention.

Note: If you have veterinary insurance, be sure to ask what documentation you’ll need to support your claim.

One step at a time

A strategy recommended by survivors of previous bushfires who’ve managed to rebuild is to take on one task at a time. Make a list of the things that need your attention, and then prioritise. You can’t possibly fix everything at once, so don’t even try! Take breaks when you need to – trying to push yourself when what you really need is to rest will do you no favours.

If you have been unfortunate enough to have lost everything, take time out to re-evaluate. You don’t have to decide immediately whether or not you’re going to rebuild, so take your time and discuss your options with family and friends before rushing into anything. Making important decisions too soon after experiencing shock, loss, or trauma of any kind is generally not a good idea.

India Morris, a social worker from the Northern Rivers points out that following significant events, such as natural disasters, it’s only normal to feel out of sorts and down. “Taking care of yourself and resisting the urge to just keep pushing through is an essential for sustained wellbeing and recovery,” she says. “Things like maintaining supportive social circles, getting adequate sleep, exercise, good nutrition, time for yourself and talking through your experience can all be helpful in processing events. However, sometimes it can feel like the things we’ve experienced won’t shift. We have a sense that the threat and trauma are in the present, as opposed to the past, and it can stay with us. These are potential signs that a person is developing PTSD and must be taken seriously.”

PTSD, she explains doesn’t discriminate. “People on the front line, those with a trauma history or preexisting anxiety disorder and those who have experienced a direct threat to life may be more susceptible, but it really can affect anyone who has been impacted. It is a normal response to extraordinary circumstances. The best chance of a full recovery is to get on top of it quickly so it is very important not to dismiss any persistent or pervasive thoughts, especially if you feel like you are reliving events.” She points out that while our social circles can be great to debrief with, professional counsellors and psychologists are best equipped to support the recovery process, and that by contacting a professional you are giving yourself the best chance of taking control of the situation and returning to a feeling of balance and wellbeing.

Another aspect of PTSD is the being aware of delayed onset PTSD. “This is particularly relevant to people who have taken a front line or active role during the crisis,” India says. “As the immediate danger and the ability to be active in response subsides, the symptoms of PTSD may start to increase. I encourage anyone who has been affected by disaster to take the way you are feeling seriously and access support regardless of when symptoms present.”

Infrastructure

Assuming that you are insured, your insurers are your first port of call. Is your house, its contents, outbuildings and sheds, cars and other mechanical equipment, floats, fencing, gates, round yards, or saddles and other tack covered? Then contact the relevant insurer as soon as you can to get your claim underway. And make sure you’re across the claims process: for example, find out what information or documents you will need to provide, whether an assessor will be involved, and how long it will take for your claim to be finalised.

Your next task (whether you’re insured or not) should probably be to obtain quotes for everything that needs to be replaced. Not only is it a good idea to shop around and compare prices, it might also be helpful to find retailers that stock a number of the items on your list – and that applies to every category, from household appliances to the supplies you’ll need to repair or replace fire damaged infrastructure on your property. By purchasing as many things as possible from one retailer, you might be able to negotiate a better price for a ‘bulk’ buy.

This too shall pass: If you’ve been involved in the recent bushfires, or if you’re impacted by a natural disaster of any kind in the future, it’s understandable to feel that your world has tilted on its axis – an uncomfortable and disorientating state to find yourself in, for sure. But with time, and the help of your family, friends and community, healing will come and life will resume. So be kind to yourself and to others, give help and receive it, and rest assured that the tide will eventually turn.

To all our wonderful HorseVibes readers who’ve been impacted in any way by the fires, our hearts and thoughts are with you. We wish you and your equine companions the speediest of returns to security and well-being.

Information for this article was sourced from: ABC News, PubMed, Agriculture Victoria, Beyond Blue, and Happy Horse Training.