Orlando first responder with PTSD pushes for mental health care

A Pulse nightclub shooting first responder who is worried about losing his job because of his PTSD may have his worries somewhat eased after a push to change Florida law.

Gerry Realin, 36, responded to the Orlando massacre in the early hours of June 13 as part of a hazmat team, and helped carry a large number of the 49 victims out of the building where Omar Mateen went on his rampage.

He spent two weeks back at work but was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder by a psychiatrist who told him that he should not go back on the job because of debilitating flashbacks and nightmares.

Realin is currently getting paid his normal salary by the Orlando Police Department, though he and his family worry that the money could stop at any point because while physical injuries are covered by worker’s compensation legislation in Florida, only mental wounds such as PTSD are not.

Pulse Orlando shooting survivor dies at party

His wife Jessica told the Daily News that the uncertainty of not knowing whether the police will send her family’s financial situation into tumult has added to the stress and anguish of memories from Pulse.

The family, who have made a GoFundMe to try to bridge a shortfall from when Realin was not being paid, has hired lawyer Paolo Longo as part of an effort to change the law, and at least one lawmaker has said that he will push for a change in the law after the Pulse shooting.

Florida Rep. John Cortes of Kissimmee, south of Orlando, told the Daily News by phone on Tuesday that he would try to bring a bill including first responders’ mental health problems into the law when the state’s legislature returns to session.

The Democrat, who moved down to Florida after 15 years as a New York corrections officer, said “I know I am going to win my election so I guarantee I know I’m going to do something if nobody else does. I’ll make sure I’ll have the paperwork done.”

Judge clears way for release of many more Pulse 911 calls

He said that he and his aides will look into the specifics of drafting a change to the law and added, “It’s got to be a law that’s in fairness to everyone. Everybody says ‘taxpayer money, taxpayer money’ but it’s going to cost you more in the long run if the guy gets sick and then you have to pay for him being out of work.”

Jessica Realin told the News that she had previously received little support from legislators but now hopes that the effort becomes bipartisan.

“This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. This is a human issue so that our first responders can get help … and eventually go back to work,” she said, adding that it is particularly pressing because mass shootings have become “the new normal.”

She met with Republican representative Mike Miller on Wednesday and said that he was also interested in becoming involved in the effort, but an aide for the legislator told the Daily News that he is still looking into joining the possible legislation.

While some states such as New York have workers comp laws that cover psychological only illnesses, Florida is among the majority of states that do not.

Realin is also not the only first responder to have tension with his department after responding to a mass shooting and being diagnosed with PTSD.

Newtown, Conn., officer Thomas Bean was unable to work after the Sandy Hook massacre and his police chief tried to fire him six months later.

The termination order was taken back after an outpouring of support for the officer, and last year a Connecticut state board ruled that, despite Newtown’s objections, the city would have to pay roughly $380,000 for Bean’s long-term disability.

Longo said that it is unfortunate that something like the Pulse shooting was necessary to bring the legal loophole in mental health coverage to people’s attention, but said, “I don’t think that it could frame the issue more perfectly.”

Tags: florida mass murder omar mateen mental health orlando nightclub shooting Send a Letter to the Editor Join the Conversation: facebook Tweet