UpClose & Personal - Complementary Therapies

First and foremost along with people all over the world, I will never forget the process of events September 11th. The kids were off to school, I was getting ready for work when the phone rang; it was Bill Jackson, CMT of Bensalem, PA and our “Massage Mobile” therapist. Bill asked if I was watching TV, then told me to turn on the news. I was horrified, yet had to pull myself way from the TV to open the massage therapy studio to receive clients by 10 am. It’s truly amazing what you cling to in catastrophe.

It’s not as though we were first on the scene as some people we all heard about who got in their cars or on buses headed for New York City. Personally, I was pulled by the need to help others and balancing the emotional needs of our three children to try to understand what and how September 11th could have happened and to feel somewhat secure that it wasn’t going to happen again.

Phone calls were exchanged with Cynthia Covington-Huang, CMT in Philadelphia and again will Bill Jackson. The three of us had met working on the Philadelphia 2000 relaxation area during the Republican National Convention and have been together since. Cindy has a keen working knowledge of researching on the internet and went to work on a way to assist in New York. I made phone calls to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan as well as surrounding hospitals in addition to trying to contact the NYC Department of Health.

I believe it was September 13th when I received a phone call from a massage therapist I had never met, her name is Kate Barry. Kate called as she had also wanted to help in NYC and had spoken with Carlton Daily an active ABMP member in Philadelphia whom I had met at a city council meeting in Montgomery County, PA regarding their ordinances restricting massage, which Bill Jackson had asked for my support. Kate told me that Carlton had given her my phone number and told her “if anyone is going to NYC Monique is”. I had to laugh; I was surprised and humbled by her confidence. In actuality I don’t think we would have gotten the end result of providing over 500 massages at the Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) command center if it wasn’t for Kate Barry.

I told Kate what we had done so far and what we were continuing to do through proper channels. A few more days passed, scuttlebutt and discontent was growing moment by moment via internet massage info; New York is a licensed state, only those licensed in NY need volunteer, MERT restrictions, etc., etc. Which, in my opinion is all well and good with the exception of acts of war or tragedy and volunteering vs. charging for massage? Cindy continued to update me with her efforts, a couple more people called, yet Kate Barry called me several times a day. I smile as I write this, KATE WAS PERSISTENT and in the best way, checking in, seeing if she could help, listening and making formulations of her own, I love that! I LOVE SELF STARTERS! Kate wanted to go to NYC. I told her I had contacted my fried Frank McCall our city council president and director of Cape May County New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and faxed him an outline which offered 11 massage therapists to head to New York with their emergency volunteers which would be in turn faxed to next morning to the FBI (as they were now in charge of Ground Zero) along with other “assets” of Cape May County that could be utilized at their discretion. I told Kate to hang tight. There was no way I personally was going to NYC without a specific place to provide massage. Previous years of experience in the logistics field taught me that the NYCOEM had enough to deal with and I would not be one to get in the way nor send others to do so. Frank and I spoke again, he told me security was getting tighter and “things” were happening at Ground Zero.

Kate decided to head to New York with her friend Tom to “check it out”. I told Kate that if she was able to secure a place to provide massage I was 100% behind her and would send my staff while rallying volunteers to continue to support whatever place needed massage and off she went.

Upon reaching the barricade surrounding the new perimeter of Ground Zero Kate was told that she may need a letter from a state representative to get past the barricade and gave me a call. I went to work on her behalf by calling my Senators office. The Senators checked my story with Frank McCall with my counties OEM and he told the assistant to “do whatever you can to help them”. In the mean time Kate continued her persistence and was able to massage a NYFD Captain who assured Kate that he would be able to get her “massage team” security clearance by noon of the following day. Late that evening I sent a fax to the Senators office explaining that we were able to secure security clearance yet requested that we would like to keep the lines of communication open in case we should require assistance.

The morning of September 19th Linda Iffert, LPN, CMT from my office and me were on our way to NYC; of which I had previously had the most horrible driving experience of my life, to meet a massage therapist I have never met before during this most terrible time in our country. At least we started off on a positive note.

As we got closer to the tunnel into NYC the traffic was thick we got our first look at the Manhattan skyline which was less two wonderful towers and where smoke was still billowing into the sky on a unseasonably hot September day. Few words were exchanged between Linda and I. Cars and trucks were being stopped before heading into the tunnel. Traffic was slow and I wasn’t sure which direction to go once we got through the tunnel so we asked a truck driver who had a large sign denoting he was carrying supplies. Officers asked what our business was and gave us quick directional assistance. Thankfully, we were on our way. We stopped one more person for directions on our way to meet Kate. Certainly the attitude in New York was different from the last time I had driven there.

We found a parking lot within a couple of blocks from our meeting point and decided to leave our massage chairs in the van until we had a spot to put them. I had spoken to Kate who had found out that the security clearance wasn’t through yet. We were relieved to find Kate and her friend Tom at the perimeter of Ground Zero. At least we weren’t on our own anymore.
I am a patient person, however, I’m truly not fond of standing around in 80 plus degree heat, in a crowded area with nothing to do, and so I walked up to one of the policemen at the barricade and said “we’re massage therapists waiting for our security clearance where are you guys taking your breaks?” “Nooooo” was the officer disbelieving response. Then he told me they were taking breaks where ever they could get some shade, in particular a park about two blocks down and we were off. Kate already had a massage chair and Tom was so wonderful as to be the designated “schlepper”. As we approached the park you could see a few people on benches and a small memorial area. I saw three officers walking towards us and stopped them. “We’re massage therapists waiting for security clearance, where are you guys taking your breaks?” “Nooooo” was again the response then told us about Nino’s restaurant which was closed to the public as they were providing hot meals to rescue and police only 24/7. We were on the move yet again. As we approached Nino’s there was an entire corner of the building which had stickers with thoughts and prayers posted and a small table next to the entrance which had a table and more stickers for continued messages. I went through the front door and was immediately met by an officer; I restated our story and quickly received the disbelieving “noooo” then he checked with the restaurant owner. They would allow for one massage chair. Well, at least it was an opportunity to begin massaging and get out of the sun. Quickly a few tables were moved to allow for space. Kate and I set up the chair while Linda and Tom waited outside. Then Kate decided try calling her contact within Ground Zero again while Linda and I got started. It didn’t take us long before we started massaging officers. Many had said they felt guilty receiving massage when we should be “inside” massaging firefighters, we said we’ll get there. In the meantime it was an honor to assist them. So many had lost people they knew. So many experience things we can’t even image everyday and then September 11th was added to their burden. Kate came back in after a while; her contact was still trying to work out details. We devised a plan that Tom would take me to the family crisis center and I would see what I could do about getting a spot to provide massage.

Tom was great, quite and helpful with a trusty subway map as our guide. I had never been in a NYC subway before just buses, cabs and other people’s cars. I looked around at my fellow travelers in the subway car; somberness was worn by international faces. My heart felt heavy. As we reached street level again the landscape was immediately different. Papers were tacked up everywhere by people hopeful to find loved ones. The papers got thicker as we got closer to the family crisis center heart and feet felt heavier with each step closer. “What the hell am I doing here” whispered my mind. I was definitely not in a comfort zone. I can’t express the depth of feeling I experienced standing in front of what must have been hundreds of photos with pleas of contact. One dimensional people I had never seen before staring back at me now a week after September 11th and unfortunately lost to the WTC tragedy.

On the steps of the building there were two volunteers handing out flyers with the new address of Family Crisis Center and phone numbers that never worked for the Red Cross. It was getting late so Tom and I headed back to Nino’s where Kate and Linda had been doing massage for hours. While eating a dinner offered by Nino’s we devised yet another plan. We decided to head out of the city by around 7 pm if we hadn’t heard from Kate’s contact. I really wanted to stay one more day with Kate and Tom in NYC to give setting up massage a thorough effort even though Nino’s would have us back and had taken pictures of our licenses to keep us on file should we return. Linda was going to try to catch a bus to Atlantic City and have her husband pick her up; if there were no buses we would drop off Kate and Tom then Linda and I would drive home. Linda’s a real sport. Tom took Linda into the Port Authority and luckily a bus for Atlantic City was boarding. While waiting for Tom and Linda or just Tom I returned a phone call from Frank McCall back home. I appreciated his concern and guess he was keeping the lines of communication open. I told him about the events of our day, he was happy that we were providing massage in a safe location as he told me that “things” were happening, cautioned me to be careful and ever so sweetly reminded me that I have a family to come home to.

As soon as Tom returned we were headed to the piers to give our last efforts and the trip was not fruitful. We were told by officers that no more volunteers were being accepted and our pleas “but we’re massage therapists” came upon deaf ears. We headed to Kate’s friends apartment in Manhattan to get a good nights sleep. We listened to stories of Kate’s friend who is a teacher in Harlem, and I brought out my trusty Thumper to share with everyone. Thumper went over really well then we were off to bed. It was around 1 am when Kate’s cell phone rang. I could hear her whisper. She didn’t have to wake me, I was on the edge of my comforter/fold out chair/bedding a foot or two away from her when the phone call was ended. We had our security clearance and place to provide massage. I remember hearing Kate say “we really want to be able to provide massage at Ground Zero”.

Well, it wasn’t Ground Zero we were to report to; it was the NYC Office of Emergency Management’s Command Center. Who knew… When we arrived at Pier 92 we were received by four officers who asked our business and thoroughly searched my van. Then at the top of the ramp there were two more officers who asked us our business there and gave us directions. Then there were two more officers as we first entered the building and gave us more directions. Then there were at least 5 officers. Then we finally reached the table outside of the Command Center that we were to ask for “the podium manager”. I know…what is a podium manager? I decided we should carry the red, white and blue massage chairs I brought (previously donated by Golden Ratio for the RNC2000 massage effort) without cases to easy getting though the heavy security. It was a good call because they helped us make a grand entrance. I never imaged what was behind the doors we were being lead through. Computers everywhere, people everywhere, signs with FEMA, MAPPING, SECURITY, FAMILY ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, NYCFD, NYCPD, ANIMAL CONTROL, and on and on. I just followed closely to our guide for a quick stop at “the podium” to meet “the podium manager” apparently this was “the person” who was in command of THE ENTIRE COMMAND CENTER for his shift. We made the introductions, I handed him my card then were again on the move. We were stationed next to a Red Cross Psychologist and directly across from the Mayors Office of Communications. We set up the chair without saying a word, and then Kate finally spoke “you make some entrance”. I laughed and said “not a bad spot Kate”. It was all I could do to start breathing again. Thank God I stayed in the moment or I would have been overwhelmed. Can you imagine…two massage therapists walking through the command center of hundreds of people of which you didn’t even know existed behind the doors? You try staying composed.

We quickly spotted the restrooms, washed up and got started. I think I must have left the impression on Kate “works well independently” my motto is “get there and get started, ask only what you need to know and start massaging” this is crucial not just at a command center but anywhere, corporate work, special events as usually where ever we do chair massage there is usually the potential to touch a lot of people. It didn’t take long to fill the chairs a simple question “would you like a massage?” will get you moving and it did. Many times it was easy figuring out who we were massaging many had the initials of their departments on their shirts, some were in uniform and then there were those who were in business clothing and you had to ask.

I remember massaging people and looking out the window at the USS Comfort which was docked right next to us and thinking “I wish I was there” and then one woman I was massaging told me she worked for the NYC Office of Emergency Management who was in building number 7 which also fell to the ground September 11th, she had to walk all the way to Brooklyn, it took her over 8 hours to get home to her husband and two small children then she was called back to work at 1 am and had been working 16 hours a day since. Many people we massaged were not only at Ground Zero, but arranging operations at Ground Zero.

We were allotted the shift of 12 pm to 6 pm, permitted two massage chairs and provided massage for nearly two weeks, everyone commuting from home at least 2.5 hours away from the Command Center and two of our massage therapists which were directed in error to the USS Comfort were told they were needed there during their day in NYC. Kate and I both participated in massage on several occasions at the Command Center. It was only when the USS Comfort departed when we were asked to end our operations as security was tightening. During our stay at the Command Center not only did we provide much needed massage we had the opportunity to show some of the highest officials involved with the Ground Zero and NYC operations how valuable massage is in times of crisis. So many people walked by two busy massage therapists, with two red, white and blue massage chairs, some of which were Senators, Congressmen, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his staff, the Governor of NY, Mohammad Ali, Bill Clinton, and more importantly those who stopped to receive a massage.

Working at the Command Center was truly felt like an oxymoron; inside we were giving compassionate and therapeutic touch while when we would enter or leave many times we were waved on by men with flack jackets and rifles.

We have regained normalcy in our Ocean City, NJ massage therapy studio, however, several times a week as I stand to face the huge flag American flag for the National Anthem at the hockey stadium where we also provide massage faces of those we touched flash before me. Will any of our lives feel “normal” again.

It was a privilege and an honor to serve our fellow man in a time of great need. It was a privilege and an honor to receive citations from the US Congress and the State of New Jersey for our efforts. I personally would like to thank Kate Barry, CMT, NCBMT for the opportunity and our staff who volunteered their time Cynthia Huang, CMT, Linda Iffert, LPN, CMT, Florence Andrus, LMT, NCTMB, Melissa Huitt, CMT, XI Jun Liang, LMT, Detelina Stoyakova, CMT, the volunteers from the ABMP, Jan Kent, LMT, Michael Kennedy, CMT and to the many who were interested in continuing to serve the Command Center.

It is a privilege to accept these honors and share them with our fellow therapists who also served yet may not have received recognition and those who have continually supported us in our efforts such as Associated Bodywork and Massage Therapists and Golden Ratio Woodworks.

God Bless.

Monique Frost, CMT
Compass Massage and Bodywork, Inc.
A new direction for the mind and body…™