A Shoulder To Cry On
Dr. Susan Silk offers support and direction to
families and friends of Comair Flight 3272 crash
victims.
LYNNE MEREDITH COHN STAFF WRITER
T
hankfully, Dr. Susan Silk
was not called to the site
of the Comair Flight 3272
crash, but it has become a
personal event for the South-
field-based clinical psychologist.
She has been spent her days and
nights since last week's ill-fated
crash offering support to the
families and friends of the 29 vic-
tims.
As a mental health officer for
the Southeastern Michigan Red
Cross, Dr. Silk has voluntarily of-
fered her time and attention af-
ter several tragic situations,
including the bombing of the Al-
fred P. Murrah Federal Building
in Oklahoma City in April 1995.
"There was a tremendous
problem taking care of the fam-
ilies of the victims ofValujet and
TWA Flight 800 [crashes]," said
Dr. Silk on Monday. "The fami-
lies didn't really feel as though
anyone was really representing
their interests."
As a result, "there's a new role
that's been federally mandated
for the Red Cross to work with
the National Transportation
Safety Board, to work with the
airlines and to be the agency in-
volved with facilitating, regulat-
ing ... contact with the families,"
she said.
When the Comair plane went
down, aviation authorities im-
mediately contacted the Red
Cross, said Dr. Silk. The NTSB
has stayed at the crash site, re-
trieving evidence and recovering
the victims. The Red Cross has
been offering care, support and
assistance to family members
"who are waiting for word on the
identification of their loved ones."
About seven families of vic-
tims, sometimes totaling nearly
75 people at a time, have stayed
near the site, Dr. Silk said.
They are not yet in a true pe-
riod of mourning, she said Mon-
day.
The families' first priority is
"to recover and bury their loved
ones. And of course, they're over-
whelmed. The last thing in the
world these people have the en-
ergy for is any kind of real ther-
apeutic process. That can't, and
that isn't their priority right
now, and shouldn't be."
Dr. Silk pointed to "a miscon-
ception about trauma and the
time table involved in counsel-
ing and recovery. In the very
first phase, we're involved in
support."
The crash site, described by Dr.
Silk as "very inhos-
pitable — acres and
acres of snow-covered
ground in sub-zero
weather," is not where
the families of victims
are spending most of
their time. Instead, the
airline has offered hous-
ing in a hotel in Monroe
County, not far from the
site, Dr. Silk said.
The mood fluctuates
between a somber tone
and one of hope, she
said.
"One of the things
that is hopeful to me
about an eventual pos-
itive outcome for most
of these people ... is the
extent to which there
are just so many layers
6PITZEQ'6
ORECK
Get our best!
HEBREW BOOK and GIFT CENTER, INC.
YOUR "PERSONAL" STORE
WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING
PERSONALIZED SERVICES:
• personalized kippot for simchas
• individual names embroidered on kippot
• engraving on kiddush cups
• name necklaces in 14k gold or sterling silver
• personalized tallit bags
• goldstamping on books
• personalized benchers for simchas featuring all new
laminated pieces
• and more
The Oreck XL Hypo-Allergenic
8 lb. Hotel Upright
Filters 99.7% of breathable air
particles down to 0.1 microns.
Features a state-of-the art roller
which rotates at over 6,500 times
per minute, picking up dust mites, pet hair,
pollen, lint and fine sand, all in one sweep.
Five-Year
Service Agreement
Protect your invest-
ment with preventive
maintenance. Five years
of free tune-ups, plus
five free rentals of the
Oreck floormachine.
We are still accepting orders for the
Stone Tanach edition at the
pre-publication price of
'39.95
Just arrived from Israel:
educational posters for classroom or home
AVROHOM PLOTNIK, Owner
of extended family and ... the po-
"These are very courageous,
tential for tremendous support. resilient individuals who are ap-
"There are days, times of propriately turning to friends and
days, when it's very, very sad family for support. Our job is to
and somber. There are times help them get through some of
when there are pockets of laugh- the red tape."
ter, as I imagine people are re-
Dr. Silk emphasized the im-
counting funny stories."
portance of giving continuous
Religion has offered
support to victims' rela-
some comfort and strength
tives.
to the families, said Dr. Dr. Sus an Silk:
"Sometimes we can
Silk, who is Jewish. Pas- Short m emories have a very short memo-
about
t
ragedy.
toral counseling is avail-
ry about tragedy, and the
able right alongside
primary victims are still
support from community health suffering when the community
officials, she said.
has gone on to other things."
Oreck Power Brush
Weighs only 4.2 lbs.
but strong enough to
remove lint from
clothes and drapes.
Even spot dry cleans...
and it's FREE*!
The
Companion
*OP
Oreck XL
Compact Canister
Perfect for home or
shop. Powerful
enough to lift a 16-
pound bowling
ball...and
it's FREE*!
The Oreck Compact, Power Brush & Service Agreement are f ee with the purchase of the "Most popular pkg."
610 MONTH*
NO INTEREST
FINANCING
AVAILABLE
21790 W. 11 Mile Road • Southfield • Harvard Row • 356-6080
OPEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS UNTIL 7:00
ARNOLD
Automotive Group Ltd.
Gratiot Ave. at 12 Mile Road, Roseville, Michigan
445-6080
Just 25 minutes from the Birmingham/Bloomfield area
off of 1-696"
■
MERCURY
LINCOLN
445-6000
MADE IN
U.S.A.
FLOOR CARE CENTERS
WEST BLOOMFIELD (Old Orchard Shopping Center, near Farmer Jack)
6663 Orchard Lk Rd... (810) 737-6446
00reck Corp. 1996 All rights reserved
Visit us on the internet at httplAiAmoreck. corn