President’s Report May 8, 2020
My heart is breaking. There has never been a time in my lifetime that touch was as badly needed as it is right now. And it has never been so dangerous to touch as it is right now. This is tragic. The entire continuum of hands-on professionals is sidelined. When will it be safe for us to go back to work, and how can we work safely? There are many organizations in the Coalition of National Massage Organizations that are working on guidelines for reentry to practice and teach or considerations for how to do so. AFMTE is one of the organizations that is working on this big question. We will share our ideas as soon as they are fully vetted.
Now is a time for compassion. The massage world is full of big-hearted people who have a giving nature. Most of us came into this work feeling “called” to do so. Yet, now we are unable to act on our calling. I feel compassion for the whole massage profession. The entire population of this country could use a massage right now, whether they know it or not, and many of them cannot wait to get back on our tables. I feel compassion for everyone in this country and on this planet who is suffering through this incomparably stressful time devoid of therapeutic touch from a massage professional as well as the other issues that have come with this pandemic like financial devastation.
And yet, my heart is full. There is room for more than despair. I am moved to happy tears almost daily hearing stories about care givers on the front line. I am full of appreciation for grocery store workers, police and firemen, nurses, doctors, and all essential workers. They are risking their lives so that we can shelter in place and stay safe. I am deeply heartened by the outpouring of appreciation for essential workers that is expressed every night at 7 pm. There is so much good in people. Love, understanding, appreciation, and compassion – we can see it every day. It was never more obvious how interdependent we are. We need each other, and it is great to see the good works being done daily. We are being given a huge lesson in appreciation for each and every person and the role they play. Do you think we will ever underestimate the value teachers bring to the world again?
Just as massage therapists often have a calling, massage and bodywork teachers have their own calling. What is massage and bodywork education going to look like after this pandemic finally passes? I am deeply concerned for the losses that are inevitable for the world of massage education. How many schools will have to close because they could not survive this crisis? Will there be a change in the demand for an education in massage and bodywork? The callings will still come, but will heads overrule and choose different paths? There are many unknowns in this area. I just pray for the educators, too.
My heart is breaking and overflowing every day as it fills up with admiration and love for people. I know I am not alone.
News item: Earlier this week the Coalition held a virtual meeting during which the main topic was what each organization is doing to help its members/constituents cope with the current crisis. The Coalition will meet again in August to follow up with each other on the latest developments. Each organization will share its own thoughts and plans. This is not a report from the Coalition, but merely my personal comment about the gist of the meeting.
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