by Clair Russell Hesselton, PhD
The past several weeks have certainly been difficult for us as a nation, though perhaps not nearly as difficult as they have been for our friends and compatriots in the Gulf states. Regrettably, the long-term effects have yet to be fully assessed and will probably be felt for a long time.
At United Spinal, our first impulse after learning of Katrina’s wrath was to determine how many of our current members were affected. We knew of 85 members residing in the direct wake of the storm. We were able to contact about two-thirds of them and, fortunately, most reported that they were fine. In a few cases, we were called upon to send immediate assistance in the form of wheelchairs, wheelchair parts, and other supplies. We also reached out to our friends in the Bayou-Gulf States Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and learned that their offices had been destroyed. We immediately sent a monetary donation to be used at their discretion.
A second, but also important, step was to add several links to our Web site to assist those affected in finding special needs’ shelters; connect viewers to various lists that would help them locate their loved ones; provide hurricane victims with information on Housing and Urban Development assistance specifically for them, as well as information on accessing centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Last, but not least, United Spinal donated a lift-equipped bus replete with wheelchairs and other medical equipment, which was driven directly to the distribution area, so that individuals in need would have immediate access and mobility.
At the annual conference of the three professional associations—American Paraplegia Society, American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers, and American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses—and accompanying Expo, attendees conducted a spontaneous fundraising drive to assist in the relief effort. Special thanks are in order to conference attendee Billie Massie, who spearheaded this effort.
I hope that by the time this column is read, the relief effort will have drifted from our minds because it will have been mostly completed, but I wanted you to know what your Association did to assist our members and anyone with a disability who was affected by this natural disaster.
In the past I have asked you to think about ways you can help fellow members. During times of crisis such as the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there are many opportunities to assist others. Please reach out, either by phone or e-mail, and check on your friends and acquaintances who might be in need; make sure that they at least have their basic needs met. If you know of a member who is in need of help, please contact our office or me directly at 718-803-3782, Ext. 203, or at chesselton@unitedspinal.org.
Clair Russell Hesselton, PhD, is president of United Spinal Association.
The needs of people with all disabilities, including but not limited to Spinal Injuries, is overwhelming in light of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation left in its wake. Unfortuneately, the disasterous consequences that seem to remain for everyone directly impacted by the Hurricane are devastating in and of themselves. As the person in charge of Special Projects at one of the American Red Cross Evacuee Shelters set up along the Gulf of Mexico following the storms, the needs of people with disabilities were too often not fully taken into account in light of the triage efforts that were ongoing to deal with the ill and the needy.
Provision of the basics come first in any disaster – food, clothing, shelter, medicine – and then other needs are addressed one at a time. We all need to work together to serve the needs of the people with disabilities so impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Disaster Relief will be coming once all is assessed; please be patient. Thank you.
Mr. Rappaport,
Thank you for your comments. And thank you, also, for the work you and your colleagues are doing.
Just to be clear, though, for a person with a spinal injury who needs a wheelchair for mobility, the wheelchair *is* basic–in fact, the wheelchair is “medicine.” We hope the good people at Red Cross understand this.
Best wishes,
Chris Pierson
Editor, Orbit