Clay Center and Clay County Dispatch

Clay Center and Clay County Dispatch The official city newspaper of Clay Center, Kan., county newspaper of Clay County, Kan. and the USD 379 school district

The Stepford Supporters: MAGA's scripted response to literally everything. By J. Basil Dannebohm  In most cults, having ...
06/30/2025

The Stepford Supporters: MAGA's scripted response to literally everything.



By J. Basil Dannebohm





In most cults, having an independent opinion is discouraged and even punished. Group leaders often suppress critical thinking and skepticism, viewing them as a threat to the movement's unity and control. Members who express doubts or disagree are often viewed as "traitors" and a threat. Finding themselves forbidden from drifting off script, they are forced to parrot talking points handed down to them by the cult lieutenants.



Bertrand Rusell once observed, “As soon as we abandon our own reason and are content to rely upon authority there is no end to our troubles."



When the TACO gestapo descended on Los Angeles to conduct ICE raids, three MAGA “influencers” - Charlie Kirk, Jack Posobiec, and Matt Walsh - all posted the same message to X within a few hours of each other:



“It's time to ban third world immigration, legal or illegal. We've reached our limit and we have a huge cultural, educational, housing, financial, and essential services problem to fix now because of it. We need a net-zero immigration moratorium with a ban on all third worlders.”



It wasn’t long before MAGA armchair soldiers started posting the same message, verbatim, in comment threads across multiple platforms.



Granted, the rhetoric was far more articulate than what had been peddled by the cult leader himself. Regarding the first “50501” rallies that took place in the spring, Harris Faulkner of Fox News asked Mr. Trump, "What do you think they [protestors] need, right now, from you?”



"Protesters for different reasons. You're protesting also because, you know, they just didn't know. I've watch - I watched very closely. Why are you here? They really weren't able to say, but they were there for a reason, perhaps,” the 47th President of the United States replied. "But a lot of them really were there because they're following the crowd. A lot of them were there because what we witnessed was a terrible thing. What we saw was a terrible thing. And we've seen it over the years. We haven't, you know, this was one horrible example, but you've seen other terrible examples. You know that better than anybody who would know it. And I know it. I've seen it, too. I've seen it before I was president. I've seen it. I think it's a shame. I think it's a disgrace. And it's got to stop."



When the second round of rallies, known as the “No Kings” protests, made headlines, it was obvious the lieutenants handed out the official response. Once again, cult member upon brainwashed cult member took to comment threads offering the same line: “If a king were in power, you wouldn’t have the right to protest.”



The French Revolution was, in part, a protest against King Louis XVI. It stemmed from widespread discontent with the monarchy's absolute power as well as social inequalities and economic hardships faced by the common people.



It’s mildly ironic that on June 11th, just days before the protests, Mr. Trump attended a performance of Les Misérables, a musical about the French Revolution. It’s downright humorous that some patrons paid $2 million to sit in a performance box, attend a VIP reception with the President, and take a photo with him; while others paid no less than $100,000 to attend the performance, a reception and receive a photo of the demagogue.



A week or so later, following the unprovoked strike on Iran, the official response posted by the Proud Boys, Gravy Seals, and Meal Team Six read: "If you're no longer MAGA because Trump wiped out Iran's nuclear sites, you were never MAGA to begin with."



Henry David Thoreau wrote, "Think for yourself, or others will think for you without thinking of you."



Ezra Klein seems to agree.



"Trump is acting like a king because he's too weak to govern like a president. He is trying to substitute perception for reality. He is hoping that perception becomes reality. That can only happen if we believe him,” the New York Times columnist observed.



The MAGA movement, on the other hand, believes and says what they’re told, when they’re told. Theirs is a Stepford approach. To observe this, one only needs to revisit the faces, void of emotion, that sparsely lined Constitution Avenue for Trump’s military parade-charade.



Attempting any form of dialogue with a member of MAGA is often like trying to communicate with a brainwashed clone. Whether out of fear or ignorance, they’ll rarely drift from the assigned talking points. Hence, most efforts to foster understanding are futile.





---

J. Basil Dannebohm is a writer, speaker, consultant, former Kansas legislator and intelligencer. His website is www.dannebohm.com. Mr. Dannebohm is a member of the Virginia Press Association and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. He writes from the Washington DC metro in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Commentary: On war and peace Trump is all over the mapBy Kimball ShinkoskeySix months into his second term, President Tr...
06/30/2025

Commentary: On war and peace Trump is all over the map

By Kimball Shinkoskey

Six months into his second term, President Trump is manifesting one of the primary characteristics of an unreliable chief executive: flip-flopping, spinning off hypocrisies at a furious pace, speaking with a forked tongue, trying to please everyone, whatever you want to call it.

For example, just a day before bombing nuclear sites in Iran, the President complained that he should have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize four or five times already. Which is it, Mr. President, peace prize or “30,000 pound bomb” prize?

Trump is only a part-time peacemaker. One morning after shaving, he says to himself, I think I’ll give peace a chance today. Tomorrow, after coffee, he says, I think I’ll be a warrior today and “put warheads on foreheads.” Every day, after breakfast, he says, I’ve found a new clause in the Constitution I want to obliterate.”

Contradictions abound with this kind of serpentine approach to international relations. For example, Trump has convinced NATO to greatly increase their defense budgets, but at the same time he wants to greatly expand the U.S. defense budget. Whaaat?! With Europe now handling Putin, seems like our military budget could take a little breather. Do we need loads of new money because we may go after Greenland or retake Panama? Does China want to engage in war with the United States with their economy currently in the tank? Besides, the U.S. military-industrial complex will benefit just fine with all the new business from Western Europe.

Meanwhile, Trump’s new defense policy is self-destructive on its face. JD Vance says on X that “overwhelming force” is the new Trump program for getting things done in defense affairs. The U.S. first stakes out an American interest, “aggressively” pursues negotiation, and when that doesn’t work then defaults to “overwhelming force.”

Following this approach in international economic affairs, Trump aggressively outlines a reciprocal trade arrangement that he deems appropriate for each country. When the country does not heel to his expressed wishes, he unilaterally announces a steep and punitive tariff on the country and hopes to see them come limping into the Oval Office to concede ground.

Trump says America needs to be extremely aggressive in stopping the flow of migrants across the border. Congress negotiates a bipartisan deal that is not aggressive enough. Trump then demands that Congressional leadership drop their legislation so he can deport folks at will once he’s in office.

It seems like one new commandment has replaced the original ten: “If you have plenty of money and power, first play nice, then do unto others whatever you want.”

In military affairs, it looks like we already have the pattern we will see for the next three and a half years. America is letting a handful of little men wearing big boy britches make military decisions for a nation of 335 million people. Our Constitution was written by our ancestors who knew what they were doing, and it says only the Congress can commit the nation to war.

These testosterone-bloated personalities have names like Hegseth, Rubio, and Vance, and of course, Trump. Individually and collectively, they have little conscience, little humanitarian heart, and almost no honest intellectual capacity, although at least one of them goes to church.

Any other process than Congress handling war and peace, like the one we are defaulting to now, is an abandonment of reason, humanity, concern for neighbor, love of spouse and children, enjoyment of paycheck, personal empowerment, love of God, you name it. All those things are put at major risk when we allow propaganda-minded politicians who have gold, fame, extra-marital affairs, power, and hate on their minds continually.

Trump first said, “I may do it, I may not do it,” clearly delirious over the immense personal power he has taken for himself, as indicated by use of the word “I.”

Trump then went ahead and took that risk with only “notifications” to Congress after the Iran-bound birds were already in the air. He committed 335 million people to the risk of possible involvement in World War III. A little too much power for one misguided felon to hold don’t you think?

Have you heard the happy screams of youngsters liberated from school recently and playing in yards and parks across America? Think of them for once, people. Just once, before you consign those little children to the hellacious prospect of having their lives directed by a junta of ignorant, violent, hateful racketeers who have no souls whatsoever.

The Highway Overpass Is Our Public Squareby Tamar WyschogrodIt’s late afternoon, and most of the cars are pulling out of...
06/30/2025

The Highway Overpass Is Our Public Square

by Tamar Wyschogrod

It’s late afternoon, and most of the cars are pulling out of the parking lot behind a nondescript office building in Whippany, New Jersey, as I arrive. Our small group has been gathering here since March, so we know the drill. After some quick greetings, we pop our trunks and unload. There are flags, banners, signs, bungee cords, rolls of tape, noisemakers, and, most important of all, letters. A stack of black, 20-by-30-inch foam boards, each bearing a single white letter, has been carefully prearranged to spell out the day’s message.

I’m part of a Visibility Brigade, the rush-hour resistance groups that take to highway overpasses to display protest messages for all to see. The first one started in Paramus, New Jersey, in 2020. With Donald Trump’s second election, the movement grew via social media and word of mouth as a way for small groups to make an impact using investments of time and creativity, but not a lot of money.

Our supplies assembled, we trudge up the hill, across the street, and onto a bridge spanning I-287. With practiced ease, we begin transforming the overpass from grimy traffic artery into makeshift protest billboard.

First, we post our letters, using bungee cords to attach them to the chain-link fence facing the highway. Recent messages have included “Freeze illegal ICE arrests,” “Democracy dies in silence,” “Our constitution isn’t optional,” and, of course, “No kings.” Adding color to the display are Pride flags, banners reading “Dissent” and “Resist,” and plenty of American flags, some upside down, once a signal of distress used by America’s ships, and now, by its people.

Even before we finish setting up, we start getting honks. For the next couple of hours, we hold up our signs, wave our flags, and flash thumbs up and V for victory at passing cars. In North Jersey, we tend to get more positive than negative responses, though we can’t always be certain what the honks mean, unless they’re accompanied by angry shouting and middle fingers. There are plenty of those, too. Thousands of cars go by while we’re on the bridge, and every driver sees our message; hundreds respond.

From time to time, the police pay us a visit, which can be nerve-racking, especially in light of the violent response to recent protests in Los Angeles. We’re within our rights, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be hard to concoct some charge on which to arrest us. But so far, the local cops have been polite and even amiable, simply telling us that someone has reported us, but that we’re not violating any laws.

Our form of activism seems odd to a lot of people. After all, tiny overpass protests don’t get much media coverage or attention from politicians. I’ve been asked what I hope to accomplish by standing on a bridge waving at cars.

In the lead-up to the 2024 election, I canvassed for Democrats in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. Especially in small towns, I saw loads of Trump yard signs, but none for Harris. So I started asking people who planned to vote Democratic to put out a sign. Over and over again, I got the same response: “I’m too scared,” and even, “People around here have guns.” Most other canvassers I spoke to reported hearing similar statements.

Even before the election, people were feeling intimidated by Trump supporters. As soon as he became president again, Trump ramped up his threatening rhetoric and issued a deluge of executive orders designed to chill free speech and curtail due process and other rights. This was followed by the mass detention and deportation of immigrants, most of whom had committed no crimes; when these actions prompted protests in Los Angeles, Trump responded by sending in the military. The administration is stoking fear to frighten people into silence, leaving the President and his allies free to act in an ever more authoritarian manner, without having to face a defiant public.

I know that a small group protesting in New Jersey isn’t going to bring down this presidency or end authoritarianism alone. But by standing on that bridge, we’re telling our neighbors that we’re not afraid, and that we refuse to surrender our constitutional rights without so much as a fight. And we’re inviting them to find their voices, too.

Sure enough, our movement is spreading, with similar groups springing up around the country. The website visiblitybrigade.com, created by the original Paramus group, now lists more than 100 Visibility Brigades in 35 states. In April, several New England groups organized simultaneous protests on more than 20 bridges over I-91 in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. On June 14, the day of Trump’s much-hyped military parade, Visibility Brigades took to more than 50 overpasses in the Washington, DC, area to display “No Kings” messages. The first national Visibility Brigade action took place earlier in June, with dozens of groups on more than 60 overpasses in 25 states sending a unified message.

I was on the bridge in Whippany standing behind the words, “NJ Fights Fascism.”
______________________________________

Tamar Wyschogrod is the copy editor of New Jersey Monthly magazine and a freelance writer and editor. She is also a member of the Morris/Essex Visibility Brigade in northern New Jersey. If you see her on an overpass, honk!

Senator Marshall Announces Funding for Homeless Veterans in South Central KansasWashington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall...
06/30/2025

Senator Marshall Announces Funding for Homeless Veterans in South Central Kansas

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), is pleased to announce the awarding of $500,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to the Workforce Alliance Center of South Central Kansas for homeless veterans reintegration.

“As a veteran myself, I believe that our nation should do all it can to support those who have served their country,” said Senator Marshall. “As Kansas and the Wichita community continue to develop programs and opportunities to help homeless individuals learn skills and gain employment, the Workforce Alliance’s focus on veterans will provide unique services for members of that community. The targeted service area of the Workforce Center faces unique challenges, including a poverty and violent crime rate that is greater than the national average.”

The Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), and the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC) grant from the Department of Labor will provide the Workforce Center and resources it needs to serve the veteran community, help members overcome unique obstacles and re-enter the workforce.

Remember, if you live in Clay County and your last name begins with H and I, today is the deadline to purchase your new ...
06/30/2025

Remember, if you live in Clay County and your last name begins with H and I, today is the deadline to purchase your new vehicle tag.

06/30/2025
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: More smoke to cover 'Big Beautiful Bill'Editor:The Dr. Marshall "Big Beautiful Bill" just keeps wo...
06/30/2025

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: More smoke to cover 'Big Beautiful Bill'

Editor:

The Dr. Marshall "Big Beautiful Bill" just keeps working its way through the Senate. If it is passed it will be the biggest transfer of wealth from the middle and lower class to the upper class in the history of the United States. Why on earth are we giving Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk and their cohorts a tax cut?

Why are we giving them a tax cut and cutting Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Meals on Wheels, Headstart and so many other programs. Speaker Johnson lied and said medicaid was not being cut, but Republican senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina produced a graph showing how many billions each state would be cut. (You can google his speech and graph).

Senator Mitch McConnell advised Republican senators not to worry about all the cuts to programs in the bill saying the voters would "get over it". President Trump said this week that if the bill doesn't pass, we would all see a 68 percent tax increase. Nobody knows where this figure came from as it is certainly not remotely true. But it is smoke to cover what is actually in the bill.

Ron Svaty, Ellsworth

Ron Svaty is a retired district judge who served Ellis County

Finding common groundBy Jackie Mundt, Pratt County farmer and rancherGood friends can have a good time no matter what th...
06/30/2025

Finding common ground

By Jackie Mundt, Pratt County farmer and rancher

Good friends can have a good time no matter what they are doing together. That is how I ended up helping with a Yoga on the Farm event at Hildebrand Dairy near Junction City recently. The event was organized by CommonGround Kansas, an organization of farm women in Kansas who share information and personal stories about farming and the food they grow.

Yoga on the farm events have been around for years but this was my first time attended one. I was pretty impressed to see around 50 people show up on a hot June weekend to moo-ve through poses on a lush green lawn next to cattle grazing in a pasture. The cows didn’t make anyone too self-conscious because they only stared at the humans in the strange poses for a little while before they got back to snacking on the grass.

Participants in the event got a lot more than a yoga session. Melissa Hildebrand Reed, one of the farm owners, gave a tour of the farm including a sneak peak of two milking robots they are installing. Participants were also able to learn what the dairy cattle eat by building a trail mix version of the ration, and everyone got delicious soft serve ice cream at the farm’s dairy store.

One of my favorite parts of the day was getting to see Melissa and her staff connecting with curious people. She does such a good job of teaching people about the farm, showing them how they take care of their cows and explaining how they make the dairy products you can buy in their farm store or at grocery stores throughout the state.

Looking around the crowd it was obvious some people were hardcore yoga enthusiasts, others were there for the novelty of a unique experience, a great photo op, to see the cows or for the post-workout ice cream. Regardless of the reason, everyone walked away having met a real life dairy farmer, more clearly understanding of how dairy farms work and having a great story to tell their friends about where dairy products come from.

Events like this are so powerful because they demystify farms, give people the chance to ask questions and help the public build confidence in how their food is grown or produced. The farm women who volunteer for CommonGround Kansas are really effective advocates because in addition to being farmers, they are wives, mothers, caretakers, grocery shoppers and so many other roles. They have so many of the same concerns, fears and goals as all of the rest of us — we have so much common ground.

One of the most important needs we all have is to be well fed. Meeting a farmer and realizing you have something in common can completely change your perspective. Having the opportunity and comfort to ask questions about how food is grown can lead to confidence and peace of mind. Opening farms to the public creates more informed, loyal consumers.

My first time at Yoga on the Farm was delightful, and I look forward to more opportunities like it in the future. If you have the opportunity to attend yoga or any other event on a farm, I hope you will take advantage because you will likely learn something new, make powerful connections and may even get a cute selfie with a farm animal.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Senator Marshall: This is $1,000 a Month for Hard-Working KansansSenator Marshall Joins NewsNation to Discuss The Republ...
06/30/2025

Senator Marshall: This is $1,000 a Month for Hard-Working Kansans

Senator Marshall Joins NewsNation to Discuss The Republican Reconciliation Bill

Washington – On Sunday morning, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Chris Stirewalt on NewsNation’s The Hill Sunday to discuss the current state of the Republican reconciliation bill as the Senate seeks to hold a vote early tomorrow morning and specifically address the rumors circulating from the fake news media.

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sU5qViAOoc or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.

On the home stretch of the reconciliation bill and getting it across the finish line:

“Well, I think if it weren’t for President Trump and John Thune and John Barrasso, [it] would be next to impossible. Vice President also came in and got involved as well, JD Vance. So, I think it’s constantly listening, it’s pushing, it’s the art of the deal. Both sides are saying they’re unhappy – we’re probably right over the target.”

On the need for more cuts down the road:

“Look, I think we have significant commitments from the White House and from leadership to continue to address this. Look, I actually think this bill will help shrink the debt. I think it’s going to grow the economy so much, just like it did under President Kennedy, President Reagan, President Clinton, and then again, under President Trump 45. I think it’ll grow the economy, shrink the debt. This is phase one. It’s not the end-all; we have a lot of work to do.

“I think what your listeners need to understand … is we’re extending this debt limit. If we don’t do that, it could help, it would hurt us, or on our debt, our bond rating. And number three is the Democrats will extract a pound of flesh to give that to us, because whoever’s in power gets blamed for it, right?”

On whether or not ‘unpopular’ cuts will get removed:

“I don’t. I think that's only affecting one person. There are too many great things in this bill to vote for. We’re going to prevent the largest tax increase in history – this is the extension of President Trump’s legacy. If you supported President Trump, you should support this bill. We voted for him to secure the border. He’s going to run out of money soon. This bill is going to fund border security for four years, 2000 miles of barriers along with it, and tax cuts for everybody. This will mean $1,000 a month to hard-working Kansans back home.”

On how Medicaid is actually being strengthened and preserved:

“I’m not sure there’s ever a good time to cut anything up here. But I want to emphasize, we’re not cutting spending. We are actually increasing spending on Medicaid over the next years, at a rate higher than inflation. We’re gonna end up spending $200 billion more per year than what we are right now. We’re going to protect and preserve it for those who need it the most, for seniors in nursing homes, for people with disabilities, pregnant women, and children. So we need to protect and preserve it – make it financially solvent.

“But I’m so proud of what we did on this bill, $25 billion for rural hospitals and community health centers. Look, only 5% of Medicaid dollars end up in rural hospitals – the urban hospitals take 95% of that money. So we have $25 billion to help make those rule hospitals solvent. I think it’s an incredible solution. I compliment Susan Collins and Rick Scott on their work on that as well. They’ve done a great job helping get that across the finish line.”

On the major wins for Kansans:

“Look, you need to laser focus the message here. What you didn’t show is that if you address these one title at a time, it actually polls positively. So you need to go back home – I’m talking to union workers in Wichita, I talk about no tax on overtime. If I’m talking to farmers, there’s this 199A pass-through, crop insurance, 45Z. So you have to tailor your message if you do them one at a time.

“Talking to hardcore conservatives like me, we talk about President Trump’s legacy, that we’re securing the border. The left media has done an incredible job of labeling this bill bad, Trump bad, bill bad, but what we have to do is focus on the real message here: how much this is going to help Americans. This is the start of a new golden era for the Americans.”

K-State experts offer Fourth of July tips for those with sensory sensitivitiesHaving a plan can help prepare children an...
06/30/2025

K-State experts offer Fourth of July tips for those with sensory sensitivities
Having a plan can help prepare children and those with PTSD.

MANHATTAN — With the Fourth of July approaching this week, people will soon gather for fireworks, food and fun. But for those with sensory sensitivities, especially children and individuals with PTSD, the holiday might not be one they look forward to.
Two Kansas State University experts are here to help with tips for sensory-aware Fourth of July preparation.
Jennifer Francois, professor of practice in the applied human sciences department and early childhood education program, and Arianna Williams, a licensed clinical professional counselor and the veteran and military-affiliated services counselor at Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services, say important steps include having a plan, paying attention to behaviors and reactions, finding a safe space, and having conversations about the situation.
Make a plan for firework anxiety
The Fourth of July can create a lot of anxiety and stress for individuals who have sensory sensitivities because of the loud and sometimes unexpected noises from fireworks. Francois suggests planning ahead to avoid extra stress in the event of a reaction.
"Having a plan before an event is important," Francois said. "For example, what is my plan going to be if my child becomes upset? Where are we going to go if I need to remove us from the situation?"
For those with post-traumatic stress disorder, Williams suggests knowing where to go and having skills, such as grounding, mindfulness and meditation, that work for you if you do get triggered by something.
She added that folks can also be aware of their neighborhood and discuss plans about fireworks with neighbors to find out if they are planning to start celebrating before the Fourth of July or continue celebrations after the holiday.
Watch for noise reactions and listen to requests for adjustment
One of the most important things for parents is to listen to their child, Francois said.
"Pay attention to the child's reactions and behaviors, and watch for increased anxiety and stress," she said. "If the child becomes visibly upset and starts to cry or covers their ears or eyes, or says that they want to leave, then you want to honor that, and try and figure out a way to give them some respite from those sensory experiences."
Francois also encourages parents to keep their child close.
"Have your child sit on your lap at first to give them the opportunity to stay close to someone they are familiar with," Francois said. "If the child seems comfortable and is having fun, then maybe the child could sit next to the adult."
It's also important to be aware of signs that someone with PTSD might be struggling or need help during holiday celebrations.
"Sometimes it can be hard to recognize when someone with PTSD is triggered," Williams said. "They might become withdrawn, emotionally guarded or disengaged from those around them. In some cases, you might notice heightened alertness or hypervigilance to their surroundings. If someone starts talking or behaving in a way that is unrelated to the current situation, it could indicate they're experiencing a flashback. In these moments, it's important to engage empathetically to develop a better understanding of what may actually be occurring."
Williams emphasized that responses to triggers can vary widely from person to person.
"The most important thing is to offer support in a way that's respectful and non-intrusive," she said. "Avoid physical contact unless the person explicitly gives permission, and gently encourage them to take a break or step away if they need to."
Find a quiet place for a break from holiday hustle and bustle
The Fourth of July brings not only fireworks but also large crowds and activities that can be overwhelming.
Francois suggests watching fireworks from an indoor space where a child can feel more protected from the noises and sensory stimuli.
For those with PTSD, Williams advises finding a safe, quiet place within their home or a friend or family member's home.
Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs are also a way to reduce auditory stimuli that might disturb those with sensory sensitivities and PTSD, the K-State experts said.
Talk about what will happen on the fourth
While the events of the Fourth of July can be stressful, discussing what it will be like or sharing your concerns with neighbors and loved ones in advance can be helpful.
For young children, Francois encourages adults to have an age-appropriate conversation with them prior to the holiday's events.
"Talk with your child about what's going to be happening in a way that they can understand, such as using a simple vocabulary when describing things," she said. "Another great resource is using videos to show them what happens when fireworks go off, because a young child may not even know what the fireworks look or sound like."
Both Francois and Williams encourage folks to talk with neighbors and friends about any sensory sensitivities and PTSD.
"If you feel comfortable sharing about your child's sensory sensitivities, it can help others understand that your child might need support or that you might need to leave."
Williams added, "Making sure that your loved ones know about the experiences you are having so they can be a support person for you is important."
The holiday will bring noise and activity, but if you follow the advice of Francois and Williams, you can be more prepared to handle sensitivities.
If you need additional support, view the community resources page on the CAPS website. Other national resources include the 988 su***de and crisis lifeline and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

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Clay Center Dispatch

The official city newspaper of Clay Center and county newspaper of Clay County, KS. We publish five days a week and specials sections at least once a month. Page maintained by Dispatch Publisher Alicia Paul, Senior Editor of Flint Hills Media Group Joshua Smith, Layout & Design Ali Smith.

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