Fluffy buddies to fight the effects of childhood trauma

At some point, any of us may experience some sort of trauma.

For a child exposed to trauma, such as an accident or house fire, the result could be devastating.

To be handed a fluffy, cuddly buddy to cling to, talk to and to comfort them could mean the world to that child.

Desbarats Women's Institute (WI), with its motto of 'Women Involved', presented the Johnson Township Volunteer Fire Department with four Trauma Buddy kits Saturday should they be needed in the future.

The timing of the presentation was made after just receiving the books.

It was the first presentation made by the WI to the fire department.

The four kits were accepted and placed in its rescue truck. 

The children's book, Quincy and his Quilt: A Northern Adventure was written by Loreen Ambler of Kincardine, Ontario, a member of the Reid's Corner Branch Women's Institute.

The book takes a stuffed buddy on an adventure to a remote region to deliver medicine.  

Each kit contains a stuffed buddy, a book and a embroidered blanket. 

In 2015, Johnson Fire Department responded to 32 calls.

At three of those calls, children were involved.

Emergency services have given teddy bears to traumatized children across the province for years.

Three members of the WI group including the president, Marlee Hopkins, Ann Bell and Ann McHale were on hand to make the presentation to three members of the fire department.

Present were Fire Chief Ron Smith, fire fighter Dave MacDonald, and Cpt. and Training Officer Jason Kern.