東日本大震災を振り返って

Reflecting on the Great East Japan Earthquake

　本シンポジウムのテーマである「自身が被災者でありながら感じた困惑」の観点から東日本大震災を含む宮城県内の災害を振り返るべく，宮城県言語聴覚士会の言語聴覚士に対して「個人の被災体験」に焦点を当てた調査を行った．「勤務先が数日間孤立」「自宅が全壊」するなどしたなかで，勤務先では支援する側としてどのような思いで当時を過ごしていたのかについて数名からお話を聞くことができ，それらを可能な限りありのままに紹介した．他のシンポジストの先生方の発表やパネルディスカッションを通じては，災害リハビリテーションは被災地域の災害関連死や生活不活発病を防ぐだけでなく，被災した専門職の心の支援にもなることに気づくことができた．阪神淡路大震災から30年が経とうとするなかの神戸学会にて，学会長があらためてこのようなシンポジウムを企画された思いについてこれからも考えつづけながら，平時からのあり方を含めた災害支援に携わっていこうと思う．

　To reflect on the Great East Japan Earthquake and other disasters in Miyagi Prefecture through the theme of this symposium “what I felt and experienced as a disaster victim,” a survey was conducted among members of Miyagi Speech Language Hearing Therapists Association. The survey focused on their “personal experiences as disaster victims.” Stories were collected from several therapists about their experiences, such as being stranded at their workplace for several days or losing their homes entirely, and their emotional responses to these circumstances as professionals who were providing support at their respective workplaces. These accounts were shared as accurately as possible. Through the presentations and panel discussions with other symposium participants, I realized that disaster rehabilitation plays a crucial role in not only preventing disaster-related deaths and disuse syndrome in affected areas, but also in providing emotional support to professionals who themselves have been affected. Appreciating the thoughtful theme of this symposium held in Kobe the year before the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, I will continue to engage myself in disaster support and build disaster preparedness in normal times.