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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:15:55
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/otheropinions/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1133592570325970.xml
Times Picayune, New Orleans
Whatever cameras show, we are not OK
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Cecile TeboSo, my friend calls me from North Carolina and says, "Wow, I was just watching the news, and it looks as though the city is doing great. The French Quarter looks wonderful, and I see that the zoo is back. You must be so much better!"
My response: "No, we are not better at all.
"We have received no assistance from either our homeowners' or flood insurance, despite the fact that we met with adjusters in September."The home we are renting will no longer be available in three weeks. Our trailer has not arrived. We have never met with a FEMA adjuster. We are broke and will be homeless again in three weeks.
"No, we are not OK."
I know I speak for thousands of people who have called New Orleans home. The attention received in the early days of this tragedy was relentless. Our pain and suffering touched every home in this country on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. But now, though thousands continue to suffer and drown in grief and despair, the cameras have turned elsewhere. We are left to suffer alone with fear and broken promises.
I sat Monday with hundreds of other survivors at the FEMA station at the Jewish Community Center Uptown. The looks in people's eyes betray the heartache and sadness of what has happened to them. The answers from those trying to assist are always the same: Someone will be in touch. But for the most part, nobody ever is.
So we continue to sit in lines, talk to emergency personnel and call our insurance adjusters in hopes that maybe, that day, something will be different.
As crisis unit coordinator for the New Orleans Police Department, my job is to work the streets with our heroic police officers and help them respond to calls from people with mental health problems. These days, the calls are generally from people who have given up. They have lost everything and are completely devastated. Our job is to help them, take them by the hand and try to get them the help that they need to survive and to cope.
However, with the current state of our city it is becoming an almost impossible task. Answers are elusive, or disheartening. It's hard to give hope when your own has dwindled.
On Monday, police found a man standing on the edge of the Pontchartrain Expressway at Camp Street. When the crisis unit arrived, he was holding an umbrella and gazing down at Camp Street. He told us he wished we'd left him alone, that he'd lost his home and his business and that the umbrella was the only thing he had left.
A compassionate bridge police officer persuaded him to step away from the edge. We left the man at an emergency room in West Jefferson. I have no idea how long he waited. With most hospitals in New Orleans incapicitated there are fewer psychiatric beds than ever, and those must be reserved for the most serious cases.
A precious, dear friend of mine took his life not long ago. The agony of what lay ahead was simply too great to bear. Others are making this same choice because the agony, hopelessness and helplessness are greater than their ability to cope.
We are living the ultimate nightmare. We have so many stories of need to still share, and the people of this country need to keep seeing our plight. They want to help. We need their help!
I want the word to get out.
We are not OK. We are desperate, depressed, anxious, angry.
People are killing themselves. Relationships are deteriorating. The antidepressants are not working.
No, we are not OK.
. . . . . . .
Cecile W. Tebo, a licensed clinical social worker, is the crisis unit coordinator with the New Orleans Police Department. Her e-mail address is aboutadopt@aol.com.
Posted by sleepygirl on December 4, 2005, at 20:22:35
In reply to ..., posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:15:55
Hi Dinah,
I wonder what I can do....I know I can't fix it, but what can we do? I don't know if you know..but I figured I'd ask. I don't want to forget New Orleans..it's going to take a long time, a very long time :-(
Posted by sleepygirl on December 4, 2005, at 20:30:02
In reply to Re: ... » Dinah, posted by sleepygirl on December 4, 2005, at 20:22:35
I emailed the address at the bottom of your post - maybe they will tell us
Posted by sleepygirl on December 4, 2005, at 20:30:30
In reply to Re: ... » sleepygirl, posted by sleepygirl on December 4, 2005, at 20:30:02
Posted by alexandra_k on December 4, 2005, at 20:36:23
In reply to ..., posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:15:55
(((((Dinah)))
Posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:38:25
In reply to Re: ... » Dinah, posted by sleepygirl on December 4, 2005, at 20:22:35
There may be something soon. A local radio show host is getting together a grassroots campaign to contact congressional leaders, and making it easy by starting a web site that will help people through the process. He's trying to get the corporation that owns his station to run public service announcements over the numerous stations they own around the nation, and the same for the corporations that own the local TV stations. I'm not sure if I agree with the entire premise, but the despair and hopelessness are palpable down here.
I started a thread on Politics, but this particular editorial seemed more personal than political.
While I didn't lose everything like so many did, the despair down here is like the air you breathe. And this editorial echoed my own despair and hopelessness in tone if not in particulars. So I put it here rather than on Politics.
Posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:47:36
In reply to Re: ... » sleepygirl, posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:38:25
I suppose it's also easier to post something that is evocative of how I'm feeling rather than to post how I'm actually feeling.
It seems way too melodramatic and I reflexively laugh it off when I'm saying it myself.
Posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:48:09
In reply to Re: ..., posted by alexandra_k on December 4, 2005, at 20:36:23
Posted by sleepygirl on December 4, 2005, at 20:55:14
In reply to Re: ..., posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:47:36
the tragedy is immense..I wonder how you can fully describe how you're affected and how you're feeling. It was a good article, effective and evocative indeed. Sometimes...these things feel so surreal - but that's me, and only perhaps because I'm so far away in NY.
Posted by ClearSkies on December 4, 2005, at 21:16:25
In reply to ..., posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:15:55
Dinah, do you think that this is the kind of issue that might get attention by sending letters to our local representatives, members of Congress, and Senators?
To heighten the awareness of the problem? Once these tragedies fall off the CNN/CNBC/Fox radar, no one beyond the local area really has any idea how desperate the situation has become.Do you think that grassroots movements can spark some action from FEMA?
(((Dinah)))
ClearSkies
Posted by annierose on December 4, 2005, at 22:22:41
In reply to ..., posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:15:55
Thanks for posting that article. Our society easily turns its head on problems that are not blasting on the TV 24/7. It's so sad. If we can only shine a light not only on the continuing problems, but sustain an inner light in our hearts, as a country, we are strong enough to make a difference for many many people.
Poverty in this country needs a MAJOR light-bulb moment or two.
AIDS in Africa is another.
I do believe a single person has the power to make a difference in someone's life. It's easy to get overwhelmed even when you are not faced with the problem/situation itself.
I could go on about this President and his manipulation of the media, but I'll save that for the political board. Don't get me started ...
Thinking of you Dinah and the thousands upon thousands of people in New Orleans whose lives and souls are still unsettled.
Posted by Gee on December 4, 2005, at 22:43:26
In reply to Re: ... » Dinah, posted by annierose on December 4, 2005, at 22:22:41
What can I do to help you??
How are you doing??
I can't even begin to imagine what you guys are all going through
Posted by Damos on December 4, 2005, at 23:31:46
In reply to ..., posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:15:55
For all you've been through already
(((((Dinah)))))
For all that you're still going through right now
(((((Dinah)))))
To help you hold on until things are okay again
(((((Dinah)))))
Each and every day you amaze me.
Posted by Dinah on December 5, 2005, at 20:40:03
In reply to Re: ... » Dinah, posted by Damos on December 4, 2005, at 23:31:46
My mood crashed badly yesterday evening. A mediocre therapy session combined with too much catching up on the newspaper, I guess.
I am soooo tired of these up and down moods.
I'm even upsetting my son, and I don't want to do that for the world.
People around here are so darn cheerful, no matter what, in face to face social meetings. But the tone of the mood in other settings is dark. Even our leaders are sending out mixed messages. C'mon over, we're ok for tourists, we're holding Mardi Gras. And Help! We're going down for the count! Both of which are true, I suppose.
No wonder my own mood careens from despair to being moderately ok. Or as I now answer "How are you?" "Post-Katrina". Because I got sick of lying and saying just fine. :) I think others like it too, because when I reciprocate the greeting, they reciprocate the answer.
So in addition to thanking you all, I also want to apologize for what I'm sure are very odd mixed messages.
Clear Skies, I'm going to answer you on Politics, I think.
Posted by jay on December 8, 2005, at 22:33:20
In reply to ..., posted by Dinah on December 4, 2005, at 20:15:55
..and that was many months ago. He is not the only one to blame, I know, but has the most power out of any politician. So, as usual, in the end, it's poor, depressed, mostly black people who have no home. Everyone *deserves* a home...with a warm bed...on a safe street. Where is the humanity? Not 'round here.
<sigh>
Jay
Posted by Dinah on December 8, 2005, at 23:19:45
In reply to G. W. Bush said he would make it all better.., posted by jay on December 8, 2005, at 22:33:20
A goodly number of the middle class whites have no home either. Or not their home anyway. A fair few of the wealthy of every class, ditto. The devastation here is so widespread, Jay. It didn't target any one class or race. Certain areas were spared by luck or by having slightly higher elevations.
What good is money if you can't spend it? Try finding a roofer or contractor around here. I think the sheetrock waiting list is six weeks, my middle class white mother said. She's living in the one room of her home she's been able to fix up. Partly her fault because she's clinging to her hoarding, but partly not her fault either. We can't get anyone to work on my inlaws house, no matter how we try, and how many leads we get. A goodly percentage of the population is living in trailers. At the site of their homes if they're lucky. Those who had second floors, and not enough flooding to flood those second floors are getting to camp out in their upper story. Not a plush life, believe me.
Right now it's the legislature that's the hold up. And it's the legislature that's the key. Our congresspeople are working their buns off trying to rally support for help. But they could sure use some help in the form of letters to various congresspeople. Some support from the administration, or at least the lack of a veto, would help as well. I'm not letting the President off the hook. He certainly hasn't maintained the intensity that is desparately needed in this matter, before all our big businesses decide to relocate and all our small businesses go under, leaving only the things that can't leave New Orleans (tourism, for instance) to support the economy. It's happening, and it's happening fast, and it's hurting me personally.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 9, 2005, at 6:46:13
In reply to Re: G. W. Bush said he would make it all better.. » jay, posted by Dinah on December 8, 2005, at 23:19:45
> >
> Right now it's the legislature that's the hold up. And it's the legislature that's the key. Our congresspeople are working their buns off trying to rally support for help. But they could sure use some help in the form of letters to various congresspeople.Hi Dinah,
If you don't mind, I'd like to quote you or least borrow heavily from your post in a letter I'm going to send to my representative and senators. If anyone else wants to send a letter, you can find contact information for your senators at http://www.senate.gov/ and for your representative at http://www.house.gov/ .Emails and/or phone calls are preferred over snail mail. Due to the new security procedures for mail, particularly in the Senate mail room, snail mail now takes up to 2-3 months to reach the Senator's office (irradation and chemical treatment).
Thanks for giving us this valuable perspective, Dinah. I wish you didn't have to have such close-up knowledge.
gg
Posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 8:23:29
In reply to Contacting Congress » Dinah, posted by gardenergirl on December 9, 2005, at 6:46:13
Our local legislators are hoping to get at least enough bills passed by the Christmas vacation to stop the hemorrhaging of business from the area, and to give people enough hope to consider moving home. A delay of months or weeks could result in permanent relocations that would be hard to undo. They can use all the help they can get.
Posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 8:33:15
In reply to Thanks, gg, posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 8:23:29
to Come on down! The historic districts like the Garden District and the French Quarter were spared catastrophic flooding my the slightly higher elevations. We may not be as polished or have as many things open as before. But Mardi Gras will go on this year, albeit with corporate sponsorship for the very first time ever. And it's a lot easier than usual to get in those famous restaurants that have reopened. Though admittedly not all of them have. Emeril's opened again last night.
I know that's why we're sending out mixed messages right now. We're not ok, not by a mile. But many of the tourist areas are in pretty good shape, and need the influx of customers to keep them afloat until things get better elsewhere in the city.
Sigh. Of course, I don't know how many rooms are available since relief and reconstruction workers, and homeless New Orleanians may have most of them.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 9, 2005, at 9:59:06
In reply to And of course the other way to help is, posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 8:33:15
I'll probably be there in early August. Not likely before. Looking forward to it, since I've never been to NO.
gg
Posted by AuntieMel on December 9, 2005, at 11:58:03
In reply to And of course the other way to help is, posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 8:33:15
Want me to bring a truck load of sheetrock? I can bring my brother, too, and we're all pretty handy at repairs.
But we're not licensed, so you can't pay us.
Posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 17:15:08
In reply to Re: And of course the other way to help is » Dinah, posted by AuntieMel on December 9, 2005, at 11:58:03
You sweetie, you. :)
I think my husband's leaning towards selling his parents home "as is" since they're both gone now, and his grandmother isn't well enough to live alone.
My mother now... geez, what to say. :)
Posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 17:17:44
In reply to Re: And of course the other way to help is » Dinah, posted by gardenergirl on December 9, 2005, at 9:59:06
Cooool! Well, not literally. Literally it'll be very very hot. Make sure you call me. Unless I've moved away by then. Sigh. We can have beignets at the Cafe du Monde. And snowballs. Mmmmmmm..... We sure do know how to eat here.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 10, 2005, at 13:55:14
In reply to Re: And of course the other way to help is » gardenergirl, posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 17:17:44
I'm all over the beignets at Cafe DuMonde. Whole reason I want to go to NO! :-)
I will definitely be in touch as it gets closer.
Well, I'll probably be in touch much more often and sooner than that, but you know what I mean. ;)
gg
This is the end of the thread.
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