Perspective
I am so deeply humbled by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Living in North Carolina, I am no stranger to the terrible destruction people are left with after hurricanes level an area and the rains result in flooding. Regardless of whether an area is ravaged by hurricanes, tornados, tsunamies, earthquakes, or raging fires the end result is that the survivors are left to somehow put their lives back together.
The pictures I see of of the effects of these disasters leave me speechless and greatly saddened. Having lived through Hugo, Fran, Floyd, and a few others in my area over the last few years (and I am 3 hours away from the coast) I know the feelings that emerge afterwards. Feeling empty, overwhelmed, lost, limp, hopeless, and numb are very prevelant. Hoping the event was all somehow a dream where you will wake up and things will be normal again is often a first reaction. Coping with the results finally sets in. If the total destruction was not enough to deal with, we must still move forward and somehow rebuild often without loved ones or cherrished possessions.
When I look at the many people who have lost so very much, have no where to go, no home to return to, no jobs, and often must face the loss of a loved one I am soberly reminded once again that things could be MUCH worse.
I am grateful to be writing you saying that the only thing I have lost is my hair. I'm not saying this to minimize the pain that goes along with hair loss. Please don't take this as if I am minimizing what we go through when we lose our hair I am simply brought to my knees to say "Thank you" for today this is the ony thing I have lost.
Just as caring people have come to the aide of storm survivors, we have come to the aide of each other in our loss of hair. For this, I am deeply grateful that there are support groups and others out there like me that help me who reach out and touch my heart daily.
If you have a strong desire to help the survivors of Katrina but aren't sure what you can do, here is a suggestion. A group I am aware of that could use our help is a Cancer Support group in Baton Rouge, LA. Should you have either new or slightly used wigs that you no longer like or use, you may want to consider donating them to following person/group. This is a cancer support group in Baton Rouge, LA that is in need of wigs, hats, turbans, and more that are clean and in really good shape. Incase you would like to donate here is the information:
Cancer Services - Baton Rouge
550 Lobdell Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70805
The contacts are Sandy Morgan or Susan Moreland @ 225-927-2273 @ smoreland@cancerservices.org.
Humbled,
Gina