-------- Original Message --------
Subject: My day talking to the survivors of Katrina
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:47:02 EDT
From: Fight4Terri@aol.com
September 13, 2005
Dear Friends,
Today, I spent approximately 5 hours on the phone volunteering my time with the Katrina Caravan; a volunteer organization created by a wonderful group of concerned citizens wanting to help with out- of- state transportation for those who were left homeless by Hurricane Katrina.
I spoke to many Katrina survivors and listened carefully as they each told me their frightening stories about what they have been through over these last two weeks. I cannot even begin to imagine how they are emotionally holding up, let alone, how they are capable of dialing a phone and asking for help, whilst still living in loud, crowded conditions and what sounded like utter chaos in the background. Many survivors are still in the Astrodome. Some have been separated from their families and are living in different shelters. Others are in hospitals or held up in airports not knowing what tomorrow will bring. What I ascertained, is that there are still hundreds, if not thousands, who are still seeking host families who will take them into their homes until they can financially become reestablished.
I volunteer as an intake coordinator for transportation. Consequently, one of the questions I have to ask of the evacuees is, how many bags of luggage or belongings they will be transporting with them. Essentially, they have nothing.....nothing at all! Despite only having the clothes on their backs, and maybe a bag or two, each and every one of them were all so courteous and thankful for my time and for anything the Katrina Caravan could do for them. I could hear their fears of the unknown, but more importantly, I could hear how many have faith in God, and how God's love was protecting and embracing them.
Regretfully, many of them recounted stories of being turned away by the Red Cross and FEMA. The numerous complaints I heard today about the Red Cross were all consistent. The tales of the untenable encounters the survivors were having with these two organizations was quite frankly, more then I had wanted to hear. It appeared that if they were fortunate enough to even get through to FEMA or the Red Cross people, they were given the run around and eventually either denied the help they needed, or not given any confirmation if, or when, help would be given to them. With regard to all the millions of dollars I have heard the Red Cross recently collected, I was disappointed when hearing from the survivors that their immediate and urgent needs were not being acknowledged. None of the people who survived Katrina were asking for much. After two weeks of being herded around like cattle, they were focused on obtaining help to connect with their lost families, transportation, prescription medications, and the minimum assistance required for them to have a place to reside while seeking new employment and the opportunity of rebuilding a home.
I might add, how I was also surprised when I had received four calls while on my shift, from the American Red Cross asking for Katrina Caravan, (a volunteer group of citizens organized for the survivors of Katrina needing rides to other states, and who have been given none of the financial resources available to them that the Red Cross has been given) to provide local rides to the people at the Astrodome, to such places as the DMV in Houston. I could not help but to wonder why the Red Cross wasn't using some of the millions of dollars donated to them to have shuttles already available to the people at the Astrodome who are in need of local rides.
On a more personal note...last year when Hurricane Charley hit Port Charlotte, Florida, I had decided to rent a 17 foot u-haul truck and fill it with goods and drive into the devastated and less populated areas. Before I had departed into the areas of devastation, I was warned that my safety might be in jeopardy because the people in their desperation might become rowdy and storm the truck all at once. I decided to ignore the warnings and instead allow God to decide my fate when on my Hurricane Charley mission. The areas I encountered in Arcadia, Wachula and Zolpho Springs, Florida were indeed devastated from the hurricane. Hundreds were homeless, but not in the high numbers like the people left homeless from Katrina. I had come across people standing in front of their splintered homes, picking up clothing that was literally strewn all over the land. What I saw and heard from the survivors of Hurricane Charley was similar to what I heard today from those who survived the Katrina hurricane. Despite the shock, they were all kind, humble, grateful, and very patient. Most of all, they were as equally worried over their fellow neighbors, as they were of their own plight.
I will be volunteering three days a week from here on in. I must convey that hearing the stories of the survivors is very heart wrenching, however, I could not think about wanting to be doing anything else with my life right now other then trying to help these people. They are in such desperate need of help from fellow citizens.
The phones ring off the hook the entire time I am on call. The need is still great in the areas that were hit by Katrina. By writing this email to you, I am hoping that you will consider volunteering your time in some way to the citizens who were harmed by Katrina, and will remember to tell others how much their prayers are still needed. To volunteer with the Katrina Caravan contact Annie at hobbledog@yahoo.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am heading off to bed now so I am prepared for another day with the Katrina Caravan tomorrow.
Good Night All!
Cheryl Ford RN
http://www.Fight4Terri.com
Cheryl Ford, RN (www.Fight4Terri.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.
Subject: My day talking to the survivors of Katrina
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:47:02 EDT
From: Fight4Terri@aol.com
September 13, 2005
Dear Friends,
Today, I spent approximately 5 hours on the phone volunteering my time with the Katrina Caravan; a volunteer organization created by a wonderful group of concerned citizens wanting to help with out- of- state transportation for those who were left homeless by Hurricane Katrina.
I spoke to many Katrina survivors and listened carefully as they each told me their frightening stories about what they have been through over these last two weeks. I cannot even begin to imagine how they are emotionally holding up, let alone, how they are capable of dialing a phone and asking for help, whilst still living in loud, crowded conditions and what sounded like utter chaos in the background. Many survivors are still in the Astrodome. Some have been separated from their families and are living in different shelters. Others are in hospitals or held up in airports not knowing what tomorrow will bring. What I ascertained, is that there are still hundreds, if not thousands, who are still seeking host families who will take them into their homes until they can financially become reestablished.
I volunteer as an intake coordinator for transportation. Consequently, one of the questions I have to ask of the evacuees is, how many bags of luggage or belongings they will be transporting with them. Essentially, they have nothing.....nothing at all! Despite only having the clothes on their backs, and maybe a bag or two, each and every one of them were all so courteous and thankful for my time and for anything the Katrina Caravan could do for them. I could hear their fears of the unknown, but more importantly, I could hear how many have faith in God, and how God's love was protecting and embracing them.
Regretfully, many of them recounted stories of being turned away by the Red Cross and FEMA. The numerous complaints I heard today about the Red Cross were all consistent. The tales of the untenable encounters the survivors were having with these two organizations was quite frankly, more then I had wanted to hear. It appeared that if they were fortunate enough to even get through to FEMA or the Red Cross people, they were given the run around and eventually either denied the help they needed, or not given any confirmation if, or when, help would be given to them. With regard to all the millions of dollars I have heard the Red Cross recently collected, I was disappointed when hearing from the survivors that their immediate and urgent needs were not being acknowledged. None of the people who survived Katrina were asking for much. After two weeks of being herded around like cattle, they were focused on obtaining help to connect with their lost families, transportation, prescription medications, and the minimum assistance required for them to have a place to reside while seeking new employment and the opportunity of rebuilding a home.
I might add, how I was also surprised when I had received four calls while on my shift, from the American Red Cross asking for Katrina Caravan, (a volunteer group of citizens organized for the survivors of Katrina needing rides to other states, and who have been given none of the financial resources available to them that the Red Cross has been given) to provide local rides to the people at the Astrodome, to such places as the DMV in Houston. I could not help but to wonder why the Red Cross wasn't using some of the millions of dollars donated to them to have shuttles already available to the people at the Astrodome who are in need of local rides.
On a more personal note...last year when Hurricane Charley hit Port Charlotte, Florida, I had decided to rent a 17 foot u-haul truck and fill it with goods and drive into the devastated and less populated areas. Before I had departed into the areas of devastation, I was warned that my safety might be in jeopardy because the people in their desperation might become rowdy and storm the truck all at once. I decided to ignore the warnings and instead allow God to decide my fate when on my Hurricane Charley mission. The areas I encountered in Arcadia, Wachula and Zolpho Springs, Florida were indeed devastated from the hurricane. Hundreds were homeless, but not in the high numbers like the people left homeless from Katrina. I had come across people standing in front of their splintered homes, picking up clothing that was literally strewn all over the land. What I saw and heard from the survivors of Hurricane Charley was similar to what I heard today from those who survived the Katrina hurricane. Despite the shock, they were all kind, humble, grateful, and very patient. Most of all, they were as equally worried over their fellow neighbors, as they were of their own plight.
I will be volunteering three days a week from here on in. I must convey that hearing the stories of the survivors is very heart wrenching, however, I could not think about wanting to be doing anything else with my life right now other then trying to help these people. They are in such desperate need of help from fellow citizens.
The phones ring off the hook the entire time I am on call. The need is still great in the areas that were hit by Katrina. By writing this email to you, I am hoping that you will consider volunteering your time in some way to the citizens who were harmed by Katrina, and will remember to tell others how much their prayers are still needed. To volunteer with the Katrina Caravan contact Annie at hobbledog@yahoo.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am heading off to bed now so I am prepared for another day with the Katrina Caravan tomorrow.
Good Night All!
Cheryl Ford RN
http://www.Fight4Terri.com
Cheryl Ford, RN (www.Fight4Terri.com) is not affiliated with any other group and works to protect the rights of the disabled community.
- Carpetbaggers Descend on Disaster zone —CHERDAV44@aol.com, Wed Sep 14 23:03
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