Okay,
I'm hoping this posting will stay. And other Mississipians who have access to their computers can also respond.
IT WAS A VERY ROUGH RIDE! To say the least.
I live in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Here is a copy of an email I sent:
My name is Jeanette and I am on permanent disability and homebound in Gulfport, Mississippi. I was so pleased to see in my Spinal Cord Injury newsletter about the site.
Katrina was a rough ride for homebound elderly and disabled.
The very first neglect I noticed was for homebound elderly and disabled. There were very few or NO services available for us to receive ice, water, food, transportation to FEMA, RED CROSS, SBA (for residental loans/or small business loans), INSURANCE COMPANY. Our Home Health Care providers haven't showed up since Katrina (mine to date: Oct 16, 2005). Many of us are homebound disabled and elderly have companion pets. Which we could and would never think of leaving behind.
When I finally got electricity I got online and wrote to agencies. Only Red Cross responded to me after I complained that they forgot about homebound disabled and elderly people. When I asked them why don't they have lists to make sure food, ice and water are brought to these people? She responded: "that's the county and state's responsibility". Hmmm I wonder if everyone out there that is donating to Red Cross knows that? That needy homebounders are being overlooked by the Red Cross.
Red Cross finally came to my house October 13, 2005 (after receiving my email). Two men and a nurse. No ice, water or food. They were nice enough to write me a check for the single person victim's limit of $360.00. But it won't do me any good if I can't get to bank or store.
The nurse asked me if the mobile unit had been by to feed me. I laughed and shook my head no. She said they were supposed to have been going to subdivisions door to door. I guess they missed my subdivision.
More? FEMA qualified me for rental assistance for when my home is repaired. I was told today all my walls and ceilings would be coming out. FEMA gave me approx $2300. Just where will I get a place to live temporary since there are no more rental apartments? No place to rent a camper/rv, etc for my drive-way. Hotels/Motels that are left are full. And that amount is not going to last long enough according to my insurance adjuster. Rent what? Rent where? Rent how?
More? After 2 weeks from Katrina's landfall I was able to get in touch with my mortgage company. Last year I refinanced to pay some bills. I paid cash for my home from a settlement in the amount of $128,000. My home is only 7 years old. I talked to their insurance department and they said they would give me three (3) months to pick-up my payments once again. I said I did not need three (3) months. I said maybe two (2, if that!
I received a NOTICE OF DEFAULT shortly thereafter. Demanding full payment of $54K or sell my home. They have got to be kidding right? The home has to be repaired! I tried SBA since to try and get a low interest loan with them but was told they could not help me. I tried other mortgage companies but you know what there answers were. LOL Maybe after the house is fixed! LOL Of course after the house is fixed. So my mortgage company wants me homeless. I've heard this is being practiced all through our area.
More? LOL During the hurricane I fell, hit my head and fractured my wrist. Of course, I just had my 2nd plate put in my neck in July.
Anxiety will be present among many down here for a long time. I just hope I keep my home now.
I would love to help somehow in getting the government/county/state/red cross/other agencies lists of the homebound elderly and disabled during these catastrophe times. So they come to us knowing we cannot get to them. I felt prejudiced sometimes that all these agencies had locations for people to go sign up and talk to them but WE certainly could not do same.
Any suggestions? And thanks for listening!
Jeanette
I am so sorry to read that just what I worried about is how it was for you and other homebound people! In our neighborhood we have many elderly and people who need caregivers because of disability or mobility problems. We take care of one another the best we can, and we take care of ourselves, but in the event of a disaster not many of us would last long.
I have more faith in Oprah and faith communities than I do in agencies that are supposed to help us and get plenty of donations like they even know we exist. Those news reporters should be taking the time to think about elderly homebound or people with disabilities in their own families, and come out to find you so people across America and around the world who would want to will reach out to help.
I am sorry this nonsense is going on and I hope someone reads your message who can come down and raise their voices until the people in charge hear your story and all the other stories that should be told.
Our organization, We Care Hospice, is trying to locate and help special needs individuals. Specifically, those with any of the following diagnoses:
AIDS/HIV
Cancer of Any Kind
Renal Disease
Lung Disease
Heart Disease
Lupus
Stroke/Coma
Plus any other disease or condition you feel to be life threatening. We will also do what we can for people who are non-hospice eligible. Please call to 228-474-2030 or 1-800-249-5917 for more information. We usually make visits within one day. We are home owned and operated right here on the MS. coast.
Hey all, I thought I had said everything there could be said about Katrina.
I am still waiting for a trailer. I have heart problems in addition to my disability. I should have been out of this house a long time ago.
My companion dog Rusty (Lab) passed away 3 weeks ago from a bacterial infection they believe contracted from mold in the house. What next?
My insurance company was to provide me with a trailer. Well it arrived two (2) weeks ago. A beautiful 38' trailer. The man said it even had a fireplace in it. I was surprised and happy. Unfortunately, the man refused to put it in my backyard saying it was too wet in between the houses to drive it back there. He had gotten stuck the night before with another trailer and had to get a tow truck. He asked if he could put it in the driveway. I said no you can't do that. It will stick out in the street. He asked me again where I wanted it and I responded the backyard again! He said he had to call his boss and I waited inside the house. The man left with the trailer. Can you believe? He kept asking me where a bank was located. Maybe he was in a rush?
There's more...... I got an Email from the company stating my land was unsuitable to put the trailer. Excuse me? It had rained the night before this man arrived at my house. That is why it was wet in between my neighbor and my house. Unsuitable? That is not possible as I have an above ground therapy pool 32' wide. Not unsuitable. In fact, very suitable. Plenty room too. My neighbor, two (2) houses down, has a trailer in his backyard. So why not just come back on a dry day with some help? Didn't happen.
In fact, are you ready? They charged me a delivery charge. For what? I didn't get the trailer!
Truly unbelievable. So I continue to live in this moldy house. I won't tell you about all the nose bleeds I've been getting. Or how my eyes continually run tears. Much less how my face is broken out around my nose and mouth (where I inhale). I called my insurance agent to ask when I'm getting another trailer. She hasn't returned my calls. In fact, the receptionist at her office received a FEMA trailer, but she cannot move into it because it has mold.
What the heck is going on? This is ridiculous.
Any suggestions are welcomed. Pray for me please.
Happy New Year!
Jeanette
Hello, if you have a child with autism and were affected by one of the gulf hurricanes, or know a family who was, please contact us. We can help! www.autismcares.org 1-800-960-1844
Holly Bortfeld
AutismCares Care Package Coordinator
800-960-1844
http://www.autismcares.org
AutismCares is a coalition of National Autism Organizations who have come together to help families dealing with autism who are victims of the Gulf Region Hurricanes.
I'm a senior in college and presently taking a course called "Community Health and Human Services". We are studying many aspects of Katrina. My topic is the homebound, before, during and after Katrina. I'm looking for statistics of documented homebound residents of New Orleans before, deaths due to Katrina of homebound and follow-up care. I also want to know about improved plans for the future to deal with the evacuation and care of the homebound resident.