Hurricane Katrina

[wildcatchick]

I was just watching the news special about Hurricane Katrina and am just in complete shock. I feel so helpless that I can't do more than give some money while these people are stranded on highways watching their loved ones die on the road because they can't get help. Seeing those 2 week old babies up on the freeway broke my heart. As a new mom myself I could not imagine going through that and worrrying about my child surviving.

I'm also feeling awful to be a human because of those people who are taking advantage of the situation be it by looting or price gouging. How can you put financial or personal gain above the lives of these people?

Seeing those pictures I can't believe its a place I've visited and those poor people are here in America. It looks like a third world country.

[delkfor3]

The worst part is, is that Americans can be allowed to suffer in this way. The leaders of NO and even this nation ought to be ashamed of themselves.:X

[bleedbluelady]

I know what you mean wildcatchick. In my heart I feel the same. :( In my head I know no one needs to be going to the area unless they have been asked to do so because it is known they are needed for a specific job or resource. The last thing these areas need is anotherperson which needs shelter, food & water. Especially if that person has no idea of the hazards, risksor general knowledge of how these disasters need to be handled. It is so tough to just sit back and watch. One of the most disappointing things to me has been that we, as Americans, have started the blame game. :( I would have hoped this natural disaster would have pulled us together as a nation. I know we will learn from thishow to prevent such catastrophic consequences dueto natural disasters in the future. Butthat does not in any way help those who are suffering now. :( I can not imagine what these people are going through. :( This is going to be a long rebuilding process for the people and communities affected. One of the best things we can do is to keep remembering and supporting them during the long haul of recovery.

[capcat]

A little off-topic, but my youngest childhad an eye exam today and had to wait for an hour for the doctor to see her. He said that his officehad worked inseveralleft homeless byKatrina who were recovering from eye surgery and needed follow-up visits. I hadn't thought of it impacting even the workload of opthlamologists this far away.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I have been keeping up with it just about everyday on Channel 31..it is truly sad what is going on down there.........what is more sad is the shootings....all the looting going on..what has happened? These people should be pulling together....I watch these people go thru their homes and some have nothing.....I can't imagine what I would do.....I want to do something....I have already donated money but it doesn't seem like enough

[wildcatchick]

Today at work we received several survivors families enrolling their children in school. Talking to one lady we learned that she got married on the Saturday before the hurricane and they came to our district to stay with his family. Newlyweds living under someone else'sroof with lots of family and kids...what a way to start a life together. We decided to start doing things for the kids and families we were getting at our school and felt called to do something especially special for the newlyweds. We called around and a hotel donated a jacuzzi suite for a night and a restaurant donated a gift certificate for a romantic meal together. Now they'll be able to spend time alone together. That just made my day realizing not only that we'd helped someone but I knew exactly who we helped.

Our next step is to help the kids we're getting replace their favorite toys and belongings that were lost. We're asking parents what their kids miss most and trying to replace those items for them.

Seeing these victims in person and getting to know them puts a whole new spin on this disaster!