A welcoming place to point younger survivors towards the light.
This blog exists solely because of Hurricane Betsy's effect on me, and my wish to warn you of the possible effects Hurricane Katrina might have on you. If you are young (3-16) you may not yet realize the powerful effect of such a devastating event on your mind and emotions, even your physical comfort. Although I was only 3 years old at the time Hurricane Betsy rolled through "The Parish" the event had a powerful and lasting effect on my life. I have suffered from anxiety, sleep disorders, worry and depression. And over the years I've come to realize the major effect of Hurricane Betsy was to instill in me a deep lack of trust. Trust in the security of my surroundings, trust in my father, and even trust in God all suffered in my reaction to the destruction of '65 and, later, with Hurricane Camille in "69. I needn't imagine what it is like for a child to have to live with the constant fear of such a thing happening again, especially with the annual hurricane season always posing a very real threat. You may not feel that my musings have anything at all to do with you and your situation, but then neither did I for many years. It was only after researching Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that I realized the root cause of my troubles was indeed Betsy (Who would think an event that happened when I was 3 years old could have such an effect on my adult life?. Over the years I had learned to suppress the anxiety and " be strong for others." I also drank too much and tried not to think about the past. Well, as we all learned from Katrina the fear of waking with your bedroom filling with 8-10 feet or more of water is a very real one. I urge anyone who plans to rebuild in the still very vulnerable areas of New Orleans or St. Bernard Parish, especially if you have kids who have gone through Katrina, to take seriously the possible long-term effects of such a decision. At least take the P.T.S.D. test at left under the "Helpful links" section, or let your kids take it... and consider seeking professional help if any of the symptoms apply to you. I am not doctor or professional health provider. I simply wish to help others avoid my demons by sharing my story. God bless, Earl
Quick "Return" update. Dad does NOT wish to return to Arabi, not even to just sneak a peek!
posted by Earl @ 9:57 PM
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