Episode 20: Honoring Legacy and Transforming Pain into Purpose

Hosts:

- Dr. Ashlee Gethner DSW, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

- Jennifer Woosley Saylor LPCC S: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

Guest:

- Hannah Knox: High school, college, and career guidance counselor, teacher, and child of a firefighter

- Michaela Terry:  Firefighter, paramedic, as well as a master's level social worker, and child of a firefighter

Overview:

In this powerful episode of "When The Call Hits Home," hosts Jennifer and Ashlee are joined by guests Hannah Knox and Michaela Terry, the daughters of Chip Terry. Together, they explore the profound impact of being children of a first responder and delve into the journey of starting the Chip Terry Fund. They share personal stories, challenges, and triumphs in their collective mission to support first responders dealing with PTSD.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to the Hosts & Guests:

   • Jennifer and Ashlee introduce themselves and their guests, Hannah Knox and Michaela Terry, daughters of Chip Terry, who started the Chip Terry Fund.

2. Growing Up as First Responder Kids:

   • Hannah and Michaela discuss the differences in their experiences as children of a career firefighter and the impact it had on their perceptions of their father.

3. The Impact of PTSD:

   • They open up about how their father's struggles with PTSD affected their family dynamics and how it was not commonly addressed in the first responder world during his time of service.

4. The Loss of Chip Terry to Suicide:

   • Hannah and Michaela share their father's battle with PTSD, the missteps in his treatment, and the ultimate loss of their father to suicide, highlighting the critical need for awareness and proper care.

5. The Birth of the Chip Terry Fund:

   • The sisters discuss how their family turned their personal tragedy into a mission to help others by founding the Chip Terry Fund, focusing on mental health resources for first responders and their families.

6. Services and Support:

   • Michaela explains the different services provided by the fund, including therapy sessions and stellate ganglion blocks, noting their success in helping hundreds of first responders.

7. The Importance of First Responder-Focused Therapy:

   • Discussion on the need for culturally competent therapy for first responders, and the challenges in finding and funding these resources.

8. Fundraising and Future Goals:

   • The fund operates solely on donations. The discussion highlights their fundraising efforts, challenges around grant funding, and their ongoing mission to expand support nationwide.

9. Personal Reflections and Family Dynamics:

   • The sisters reflect on how their father’s legacy inspires their work, the uniqueness of being first responder kids, and plans to support younger generations facing similar challenges.

You can support the Chip Terry Fund, whether by donations via the website or encouraging agencies to host speaking engagements with their mom, the fund's passionate advocate.

Contact and Resources:

• Chip Terry Fund website:

  Chip Terry Fund

• For inquiries about the fund or to donate, visit the website or contact Michaela and Hannah through the provided site.

Special Thanks: A heartfelt thank you to Hannah and Michaela for sharing their moving story and their work to support first responders nationwide. Additional thanks to all the first responders and their families for their continued service and sacrifices.

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