Janice Landry - The Legacy Letters

What reviewers say of Janice Landrys books

In The Price We Pay, Janice Landry offers us a straightforward and compassionate discussion of trauma and PTSD among first responders and others involved in shock events. Landrys narrative is a delicate balance of journalistic inquiry, tempered by a respectful and protective treatment of the men and women who shared intimate and often painful details of their lives. This is a much-needed human and hopeful story during an age where scientific jargon, unfortunately, continues to mystify our understanding of the cause and recovery from the effects of terrible and unexpected events. The book contains a gentle caution about the power of secrets in contributing to lingering personal turmoil and suicidality among those who have been traumatized.

Dr. John Whelan,
Psychologist, Author, Military Veteran

Janices interviewing skills from her years as a journalist show in both her books, The Sixty Second Story and The Price We Pay. She lets her subjects tell their own stories in a way that puts you there in the situation with them. Emergency first responders, and those who have gone through traumatic events, can read Janices books knowing theyre not alone.

Paul Greene, former journalist

The Price We Pay is so well-written with many incredible stories between its covers. Each story spoke loudly to me, both as a first responder and a human being. I really believe there is no single audience for this book; anyone who reads it will connect with its words in one way or another. The interviews are candid, intimate, and, at times, very deep, raw and emotional. This book contains many stories of traumatic events and the vicarious trauma that affected those who lived through these events. But a much stronger message of hope and resilience, in the face of trauma, permeates each and every page; it left me feeling even more privileged to be a member of the first responder family and of humanity. This book is an absolute masterpiece

Christopher Boudreau, Paramedic,
Emergency Health Services Nova Scotia

There are many traumatic incidents discussed in this book. The descriptions are detailed enough so the reader can have a clear understanding of what has taken place; however, care has been taken to not be overtly graphic for the sake of sensationalism, or to possibly trigger readers who may live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other mental health issues, or operational stress injuries.

Despite that, this work is not appropriate for children or youth, as it discusses violent crimes, including murders, war, abductions, rapes, plane crashes, workplace accidents, an earthquake aftermath, a riot and hostage taking, shootings, and one case involving a pedophile.

Please take care while you read.

Triggers are unique for each person. It is impossible to omit all of them for every reader.

The aim of my work is to educate the public, encourage discussion and awareness around mental health, and to ultimately help people impacted by trauma. I do not want, or intend, to revictimize readers.

Take heed of what is said by all the people in these pages. Start discussing and debating mental health and trauma before people deploy, respond, leave the workplace, classroom, or newsroom.

Janice Landry

Pottersfield Press, Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia, Canada

Copyright Janice Landry 2017

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used or stored in any form or by any means graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or by any information storage or retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any requests for photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems shall be directed in writing to the publisher or to Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (www.AccessCopyright.ca). This also applies to classroom use.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Landry, Janice, 1965-, author

The legacy letters: how trauma affects our lives / Janice Landry.

ISBN 978-1-988286-10-5 (softcover)

ISBN EPUB 978-1-988286-26-6

1. Psychic trauma--Canada--Case studies.

2. Missing persons--Nova Scotia--Case studies.

3. Murder--Nova Scotia--Case studies.

4. Criminal investigation--Canada--Case studies. I. Title.

BF175.5.P75L36 2017616.8521C2017-902767-0

Cover design: Gail LeBlanc

Pottersfield Press gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities. We also acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Province of Nova Scotia which has assisted us to develop and promote our creative industries for the benefit of all Nova Scotians.

Pottersfield Press

83 Leslie Road

East Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2Z 1P8

Website: www.PottersfieldPress.com

To order, phone 1-800-NIMBUS9 (1-800-646-2879) www.nimbus.ns.ca

Printed in Canada

Pottersfield Press is committed to preserving the environment and the appropriate harvesting of trees and has printed this book on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper.

This book is dedicated to those who have lost their lives to or who have been affected by trauma, emergencies, accidents, and crime. It is for the victims, their families and loved ones. We care about you.

This work is also for the people, across professions, who selflessly and repeatedly try to help others in the face of adversity, conflict, and danger. Thank you.

Lastly, my writing is always dedicated to my immediate family: Rob, Laura, Theresa, and Betty, and especially to my late firefighting father, Captain Basil (Baz) Landry, M.B. Love you all.

When Janice gave me the opportunity to introduce this book, I was thrilled and intimidated. Her understanding of trauma and her ability to write clearly on such a difficult topic are gifts she shares willingly. My own battles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) make trauma a topic I fear, even as I care deeply about it. We hear about trauma in the news quite often now. We see stories about PTSD and tragically much of it is about suicide, a topic we try to avoid. In this book, Janice points a bright light into the dark hole that is traumatic injury. She lets us see beyond the headlines into the very nature of trauma and those affected by it.

The Legacy Letters is much more than a book about trauma, though; its also a true crime fans treasure trove. Janice reviews many of the crimes she covered as a journalist, and even breaks new ground in one of Halifaxs oldest unsolved cases. That alone makes this a good read, but I believe her treatment of trauma elevates it to greatness.

Ive known Janice for more than twenty years. We were adrenaline junkies back then, chasing trauma from the old ATV newsroom. The clich about TV news is that if it bleeds, it leads. Trauma is drama, and drama is story. A good story is what TV news thrives on. Besides, with trauma there was always plenty of blood.

Janice worked exhaustively on human trafficking stories. It was a trauma-filled beat to cover. I chased the drug war the Hells Angels were waging with a former club member. It gave me nine bodies and the trauma that comes with murder. We worked side by side, but we were in competition for that lead slot every day. We joked recently that, in all that time, amid all that blood and violence we never asked each other a simple question: How are you holding up? We werent insensitive we were addicted to the adrenaline, and neither of us understood the danger of trauma. Now I do, and as youll see in these pages, so does she.