The Foreign Service Journal, October 2015

60 OCTOBER 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS FAMILY MEMBER MATTERS Transfer Trauma: Spicing Up the Medical Clearance Update Another move, another Medical Clearance Update (form DS-3057) with its not- too-subtle questions trying to determine whether I’ve become or am in danger of becoming a barking lunatic while at post. I figure, after 30 years without incident, I’ve earned the right to check “no” in the boxes. But for some of the questions this time around, I was tempted to answer “yes.” Question: Have you been treated for any ongoing medical or mental health condition? If yes, please explain. Checked: No. Wanted to answer: Yes. Perpetual anxiety from cumulative transfers. Question: Do you have any physical or emotional concerns that you feel should be evaluated? Checked: No. Wanted to answer: Oh, good God, yes. Physical? Alarming chunks of gray matter flying out of ears as I prepare for stateside pack- out. Emotional? Why, yes, I am, thank you. Question: In your life, have you ever had any experi- ence that was so frightening, horrible or upsetting that, in the past month, you: (a) Have had nightmares about it or thought about it when you did not want to? Checked: No. Wanted to answer: That nightmare where it’s departure time, and we just discovered that the mov- ers forgot to pack up three rooms of the house. Or the one where we’re wandering around the airport tarmac trying to find the right plane. Or the other one where our pets have been slaughtered and eaten by the airport bag- gage handlers. Or, how about the one where we forgot to bring our young children to post and they are now alone in our empty house 15,000 miles away? (b) Tried hard not to think about it or went out of your way not to think about it? Checked: No. Wanted to answer: Oh, you mean packing out? I try hard not to think about it. However, since the movers are coming in one week, I should probably start think- ing about it. (c) Were constantly on guard, watchful or easily startled? Checked: No. Wanted to answer: Is that them? Did the truck just pull up a week early? Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, no no no! Oh, wait, it’s a Peapod delivery for the neighbors. Never mind. (d) Felt numb or detached from others, activities or your surroundings? Checked: No. Wanted to answer: I wish. n Francesca Kelly is a freelance writer, editor and college application tutor. She served as AFSA News editor from 2009 to 2012 and is a frequent contributor to the Journal . She is married to Ambassador Ian Kelly, an FSO since 1985. the nation: This year, AFSA received more than 450 sub- missions from 41 states. The contest is governed by an advisory committee chaired by retired U.S. dip- lomat Eugene Schmiel. The judging panel comprises high school teachers, AFSA staff and active-duty and retired Foreign Service personnel. The winners and their essays, as well as the 21 students receiving honorable mentions, can be found at www.afsa.org/essaycontest. The 2016 essay topic will be posted on the website in November. If you are inter- ested in serving as a judge or would like to learn more about the contest, please contact AFSA Special Awards and Outreach Coordinator Perri Green at green@afsa. org. n —Maria C. Livingston, Associate Editor HS Essay Winner • Continued from page 49 AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson with the 2015 AFSA National High School Contest Award recipient, Thomas Keller. Keller and his parents kicked off their busy day of meeting foreign policy leaders with a welcome breakfast at AFSA headquarters. AFSA/MARIAC.LIVINGSTON