Research trip: Sweden and U.S. 13-15

It has been a couple of very busy and long days on this trip. The last few days has seen me transfer from New York to Minneapolis, a two and a half flight west. Transfer day started with an early, cold and rainy run in Central Park. If I had not run in the rain I would not have run in NYC so I had to do it. It is a huge park and the large central lake is named offer Jacquie O who used to run around it!
It was the a train and plane trip to Minneapolis. I was met by one of the EMS chaplains and got straight into seeing their operation. We toured a few of their sites before a dinner with local chaplaincy and moral injury researchers and EMS chaplains. And, I ate grits! 

The next two days have been filled with touring around talking and learning from those on the ground. Lots of exciting things going on including meeting their therapy dogs and hearing about their set up for a dog program. I attended an “active shooter” training drill. 

Which brings me to another point. Guns. It is really interesting to see the many impacts a gun culture has. In New York the front doors of the police cars are armour plated, the windows have bullet proof inserts and they have bumper stickers offering a large reward for information about people shooting at police. There is something wrong here I think. Then there are signs like this that are a bit of a culture shock. 

However, people here have been so kind and generous to me. We have lots of deep and important conversations. Tomorrow I leave to return home so this will probably be the last blog for this trip. 

There is lots to digest and apply from three very different places, Sweden, NYC , and the rural mid west. I’m grateful for the chance to be able to do the trip. Looking forward to my own bed. See you all soon.