Well Sandy came and it destroyed. We were displaced for exactly 1 week, coming back to check the house each day to see if the power was back on, if the trees that fell on our house, yard, and middle of the streets had been removed, if there were any leaks and water damage. Each day was a negative to all of the previous questions. Being out of work for a week, not having access to the internet to do school work; it was all becoming my norm as the days moved forward. Luckily we had a bag packed and were prepared as warned, we had clothes to wear and take with us. On the 8th day, we found out the power came back on, to only notice that the heat now was an issue. Another 2days of being relocated until the heat was fixed, and then having to deal with the next stressor of losing all of our food, about a good 7-8hundred dollars worth, and a refridgerator that completely shut down and never came back on. Fema sets up a local station in my area to over assistance to those affected by the hurricane, to only find out we're unelgible because we didn't lose our house. So was this Natural Disater a stressor to my family and I; it definetly was/is.
On June 2, 2011; Springfield, Massachusetts also experienced a Natural Disater, by way of a tornado. Many many people were injured by this devastating event that took place. There were roofs, homes, and even a steepple to a church that were all apart of the damaged property. Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown joined Governor Deval Patrick on a helicopter tour to survey the entire area, and the three agreed that Springfield looked like a "blast zone" Those affected by this disaster had to endear the tragedy for days, weeks, and even some for months. Schools were closed, shelters and emergency personnel; such as red cross were made available, as well as federal disaster aid.
Down below is a picture from that particular event in Massachusetts.
Resource:
Singer, S. (2011) Massachusettes Tornadoes Leave People Dead and Towns Damaged.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/02/massachusetts-tornadoes-aftermath_n_870175.html
Thank you for sharing your story Sherrell. I have been feeling so powerless about what to do to help victims of Sandy. I sent money and school supplies to the effort and still feel like my tiny effort falls short. What I think about is the effect on the trauma on small children.
ReplyDeleteI was teaching the morning that the planes hit the world trade center. I knew the event was far away from home and that we were most likely safe here in Minnesota. I was shocked then and continue to be amazed at how tragic, unexpected events seep into the psyche of small children. The fear and anxiety live on. If I was working as a parent educator in New Jersey, I would teach parents about the importance of routine and structure as children cope with the aftermath of the storm. I would teach parents about the importance of modeling coping skills, including crying so children can see what it looks like to grieve and come back from a very devastating storm. I worry that parents, in an effort to shield children from hardship actually make it harder for children by not modeling healthy responses to stress.
I find the University of Minnesota to be a very valuable resource for parent education materials. I have attached an example for you to review. I hope you find it helpful.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/family/tough-times/dealing-with-stress/parental-stress.html
Good luck Sherrell, I am thinking about you all. Be well.
Sherrell,
ReplyDeleteI am senging you my continued prayers and I want you to know that I empathize with what you are having to go through. Experiencing this kind of disaster for the first time is not only scary, but brings on a lot of anxiety, stress and lack of direction as to what to do next. I not only understand, but I know what you are dealing with. The one thing I know is that even though you did not lose your home, you suffered a devastating loss all the same. My heart and prayers are with you and your family Sherrell.
Sherrell,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your experience with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you try to get your life back to normal. I have never experienced a natural disaster, but I have experienced a house fire. My family and I were displaced for six months. I know from this experience that being displaced and losing possessions brings a great deal of anxiety, stress, and feeling helpless. I can remember crying at night because I just wanted to go home. My husband and I tried to keep our routine as normal as possible for our children. I think this helped them deal with it better than we did. Best of luck from my family to yours.