By Sherilda T. Lyons, MSW, CMSW
Dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina affected this nation in many ways. It also had a dramatic affect on me because my biological family members, who live in the impacted areas of both New Orleans and Bogalusa, Louisiana. Some of these family members became displaced victims due to Hurricane Katrina’s wrath. It was after many frustrating and exhausting attempts to contact my family that it became personal, and I realized the magnitude of this disaster.
Worried About My Family
After many failed attempts to reach them by phone and the internet, I was so desperate that I began reading and watching the public media for answers as to the safety of my loved-ones. I had only one question: “Is my family in New Orleans and Bogalusa alive!” I posted numerous personal information notices about the “Short Family” and myself on the Red Cross website, hoping for a response of any kind. When I didn’t get a response, I knew that I had to do something. I couldn’t sit back and wait aimlessly, as I had become emotionally and physically ill watching the pain, suffering, and despair of the people in Louisiana and Mississippi. I knew in my heart that I had to put a plan in place. I felt obligated to go and help because Louisiana is my birth home.
I had a long conversation with my husband, my 8-year-old daughter, my friends and my supervisors regarding my plan to volunteer to help with our nation’s crisis. They expressed concern for my safety and I understood that they had a valid fear. However, most importantly, I received their warm prayers, love and support for me to complete my mission.
Joining the Disaster Team
On September 10, 2005, the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, acting through the Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System (DEMPS) afforded me the opportunity to deploy to the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC in Houston, Texas for a period of two weeks.
As a social worker in the Mental Health and Behavioral Science Service at the West Palm Beach VAMC, I had the knowledge and experience to help veterans and their families cope with trauma and crisis. However, I was not prepared for the magnitude of the cries for help brought on by the hurricane. Some of the New Orleans survivors needed to vent their frustration, share their cries of pain, and to openly express their fears of loss and uncertainty. I was there to provide crisis counseling, support, and a much needed ear to hear the pleas and desperation of those with fears of being helpless and hopeless.
Challenging and Rewarding
This experience was both rewarding and challenging for me. It changed my life in so many ways! I truly learned to respect “Mother Nature” and the devastation that can occur from her wrath. This experience strengthened my love and appreciation for my family and friends, and it gave meaning to the value of “we can not do this alone”. During my deployment, my WPB VAMC family called my daughter and husband daily. As I missed my daughter’s 9th birthday, which occurred while I was in Houston, my WPB VAMC family gave her a birthday party, which was highly meaningful and special for my family and me.
This experience further gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of “good hearted” people at the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC, at the US VETS – Houston, TX, and among the New Orleans survivors. Through this crisis experience, I learned the true meaning of Social Work. I thank the Barry University of Miami, Florida, and the West Palm Beach VAMC for providing me with the skills and confidence needed to respond to the many challenging and overwhelming cries for help.
As a final thought, I learned many days into my deployment that my family in Louisiana made it through the hurricane and that they are alive and well. They remain part of my heart and my purpose for the work I do. As for my daughter, her father, her godfather and her many friends, we had a belated 9th birthday party, which she postponed until I returned home safely. This was truly a celebration for all of us.
