BATON ROUGE TWO WEEKS AFTER KATRINA
By Cathy Bentwood
I went to volunteer, slightly under the radar, as an RN with the Red Cross. By this time they were inundated with volunteers - a logistical nightmare. Hmm.. now why does this seem familiar? Anyway, there were more blood-pressure takers than needed so I wandered out to the floor, a sea of 2,000 evacuees and cots. Immediately a lean, handsome, 50 something black man blocked me "Cathy, Cathy (he wasn't clairvoyant- I was wearing a name tag) won't somebody please just stop and look at me?" Dwight had been here for 10 days, left, found work in Atlanta, and now had returned to retrieve his mail from the center post-office. He couldn't leave without it but could find no one to unlock the office. Actually he could find no one to listen to him. Ten minutes later, mail in hand, he was on his way.
A senior, Martha, was in a wheel chair. She said she was fine. Though it would be nice if she could get a box of Depends. All they had was Pampers. The next day she found Depends at the end of her cot. Dignity isn't too expensive. Crazy Laura was sitting outside - getting high or coming down - who could tell? Asking for money. Sorry honey, it's against the rules. But what's your name? Where are you from? We talked. When I got up to leave she kissed my hand saying, "You are the most beautiful black woman." I guest love and kindness are color blind as I am white! Kevin that day released from prison. No house in New Orleans to return to. All they gave me was a cot. No soap, shampoo, no pillow or blanket. Took him by the hand. Come with me. I'm sure it was an oversight. We'll get what you need. Everyday there was a new, head hung low just out of prison, Kevin. Toiletries, bedding, and a handshake. Doesn't take much to help a man walk taller.
Joyce, needed a tent, which was against the rules, for wheelchair bound 9 year old Micala. Diapering her daughter, a child with cerebral palsy, had become a humiliating public ordeal. This was a challenge but 36 hours later she had her dome. Richard, a single Vietnam vet and caregiver for his Alzheimer brother Michael, urgently pleaded, "help me find my brother. He disappeared from the shelter in the middle of the night." One hundred phone calls and 48 hours later they were reunited. Richard through tears "I left my soul in Vietnam. I thought there was not goodness left in the world. I can't believe this kindness."
None of the tasks were arduous. They just took time and perseverance. And 18 years of training at St. Francis Inn where stories like these are a daily occurrence and loving all our brothers and sisters is not what were called to do in a dramatic emergency but do simply because Christ said "love one another." Love and thanks to everyone at the Inn. You were all with me (and you had a great time).
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