By Vanessa Stapleton – President Armor Up West Virginia
Now, more than ever, as I watch the news or scroll through social media, I see story after story of chaos and violence. In the midst of all the chaos are the brave heroes sworn to protect and serve. This year has brought a wave of new and unprecedented circumstances like we have never seen in our generation.
Continue reading “America… We Are Failing Our First Responders & Their Families”
By Vanessa Stapleton – President Armor Up West Virginia
In 2013, our world was suddenly stopped as police cruisers pulled into our driveway with the news that every wife fears. As I sat in the hospital later that day, I wondered what I would tell our children when I saw them again. What news would I bring them about their dad? Would I tell them that it would just be us for the rest of our lives on earth? Would I tell them their dad would never walk again? Would I, by the grace of God, be able to tell them their dad would be ok? I thought about them standing on the porch that morning as their dad drove off in his cruiser flashing his lights for them. I thought about our youngest son asking for “just one more hug” that morning. Did he know something horrific would happen that day? Surely, he couldn’t have known his dad would be shot answering a call within a few hours.
By Vanessa Stapleton – President Armor Up West Virginia
I answer calls for first responders in crisis. I do that because at one time it was our family in crisis. Coming out on the other side gives me hope to share with others. More and more, what I find is that people sometimes don’t want help as much as they want a magic cure. There is no “magic” cure. When you are in a crisis, it is possible to do the work to get out of the crisis. Unfortunately, and especially more recently, people want us to do the work for them. When they learn that overcoming their problems will require work on their end, they don’t want the “help” anymore. Why is that?
