Torres: How much more can Orlando take?

ORLANDO – The blows add up, one gut punch after another. And there is no question that they will eventually take their toll.

They always do.

Have we ever seen a city — not currently involved in a war — experience three horrific and entirely different national stories in less than a week? Sure bad things take place in Orlando, like any other major city, but things like this are not supposed to happen.

Not here. This is where people from around the globe come to escape reality, to set aside the daily grind and set foot in a fantasy world of Disney characters, Hogwarts or the latest thrill ride.

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They say bad things occur in threes. Let’s pray that is so as this city may not be able to take any more bad news.

Pop singer Christina Grimmie was gunned down after her Friday night show as she was signing autographs for her fans. A home-grown killer, who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State, murdered 49 unarmed club goers at the Pulse night club about 24 hours later in what is the worst mass shooting in the country’s history.

Then this: A two-year old boy from Nebraska, perhaps making his first trip to this land of make-believe, was snatched from a beach at an upscale Walt Disney World resort by an alligator on Tuesday night. His body was recovered Wednesday.

Right now Orlando is running on adrenaline, anger, bravado and compassion. But those body blows, they take a toll especially when you think you’re all right.

“Oh it’s going to hit us all, once the dust settles,” said therapist Colleen Chandler who has been helping those affected by the week’s events at The Center, an LGBT hub in downtown Orlando. “I would tell people to reach out. Reach out and talk to people and start to look for some signs that maybe you’re not doing too hot.”

Chandler and a rotating team of counselors have been working non-stop at The Center, which unlike Monday’s hectic pace had slowed just a little by Wednesday afternoon.

At one point, officials from the American Red Cross arrived offering to coordinate counseling and other services with the Center because they too know once the story fades from the front pages it will hit residents the hardest.

They say there would be no mountains without valleys and that it is always darkest before the dawn. The clichés are true of course but offer no relief to a city stunned by the back-to-back hits, maybe only being propped up by the ropes.

A few miles away, at Disney, came the announcement that everyone had known since hearing the news of the rare attack by the gator. The search and rescue efforts were now just an attempt to recover the poor toddler’s remains.

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"Everyone here at the Walt Disney World resort is devastated by this tragic accident," Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said.  "Our thoughts are with the family and we are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist them."

Rob Domenico, who sits on the board of directors of The Center, said there is no doubt that things have changed forever.

“This is the new world we are living in,” he said.

Chandler recommends slowing things down and taking time to de-stress.

“Maybe keep a journal, listening to some good music or just sitting outside, a glass of wine, whatever the things are that calm you and center you are the things that you want to take advantage of,” she said, stressing that people “need to reach out for the help they need.”

Merritt Island therapist Jessica Stebbins, who made her services available in Orlando earlier this week and who has offered free services for anyone affected by the week’s events, said it’s difficult because everyone reacts differently to traumatic events.

“With so many incidences and such variations in the types of trauma experienced most people are being affected in one way or another, with many feeling the weight of all three, leaving them wondering when the tragedies will stop and the pain and heartache will subside,” she said. “People are remarkably resilient though and with enough support can overcome even horrible challenges.”

Still, as a city, it’s hard to accept. The magic is still here but the real world has crept in. No, it barged in and things will never be the same.

One look at Charlie Puracchio’s eyes and you know that to be true. The HIV counselor hasn’t left his post behind the front desk at The Center all week.

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“Sometimes tragedy does strike more than once and all we can do is pick up the pieces and continue,” he said sadly. “But the community has been outstanding with support. Orlando is strong.”

No matter how strong, eventually the city may have to rely on those ropes.

And that’s OK . We all need the ropes from time to time to keep us from falling. That’s why they are there.

Added Stebbins: “It is important to remember there are more people there to help than those wanting to harm.”

Like I’ve been saying, ropes.

Contact Torres at 321-242-3684 or at jtorres@floridatoday.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter @johnalbertorres or on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/FTjohntorres.