Buddhability I Gotta Get it Together. Like… Yesterday.
Jan 30, 2026
Kaitlin Todd, a firefighter, EMS worker, and mother from Gretna, Louisiana, used SGI Nichiren Buddhist practice to build stability while pursuing emergency services. She talks about finding direction after a life-changing pregnancy, using chanting and small wins to push through training and setbacks, and balancing single parenthood with the grind of academy life and career progress.
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Values Over Rules Simplify Choices
- Caitlin valued a practice based on dignity and respect rather than rigid rules.
- She found decision-making simpler by asking if actions respect life rather than following strict prohibitions.
Crash That Redirected Her Path
- Caitlin moved from party jobs to EMT training after a scary car crash that highlighted first responders' role in her life.
- She passed the national registry while pregnant and started working on ambulance duty five months after her son was born.
Pregnancy Sparked Urgency
- Caitlin described pregnancy amid a breakup and partying, then intense emotional swings that made her practice stronger.
- She leaned on her Buddhist community for encouragement and practical support during that time.
