I sat and thought long and hard before deciding I was going to talk about natural disasters. I went through Hurricane Katrina as an adult and it still lingers in my heart and mind. I also know some children who went through this and it was and still is a major stressor. As an adult I am still not over what happened to my beloved City of New Orleans and it is even more troubling for children to try to understand why this happened. I came in contact with one boy who got out of the city but has memories of going back afterwards and seeing houses and all the things he could remember moved up the street from where it used to be. He remembers going into his house and seeing everything covered in black mold, all of his families belongings washed away. He used to have nightmares about the storm. But he has recovered well from what he saw when he returned after the storm. When he and his family returned to the city he started receiving counseling through his school and he has come a long way.
Keeping with the topic of natural disasters, I decided to talk about Haiti. We all know about the terrible earthquake that hit earlier this year but we don't hear about anymore. The people in Haiti are still living in tent cities and are now dealing with disease. So not only did they go through a deadly natural disaster but now they are dealing with the stressors of disease and extreme poverty. I can only imagine what the children in that country must feel. They probably think how and when is this going to get better. This country has also been hit by many hurricanes and tropical storms in the past.
I am so sorry you had to endure such tragedy! I would imagine that there is a lot of anxiety and even post traumatic stress among children and adults alike internationally that have been unfortunate in having to deal with horrific natural disasters. It then causes a ripple effect of stressors....poverty, hunger, violence.
ReplyDeleteHurricane Katrina was terrifying to watch and listen to. The aftermath is still tragic. I'm so sorry you had to experience this tragedy first hand. This type of stressor will effect individuals and the city for a lifetime. It was good to hear that the boy you spoke about received counseling. I hope that many others were able to do the same.
ReplyDeleteHi Tanisha,
ReplyDeleteI too am sorry about what you and others endured during the tragedy called 'Hurricane Katrina'. I too was involved with that storm however, the suffering we endured was nothing compared to you all. Things happen in this world that know-one can explain.I'm glad that you're recovering in a positive way. As is with the residents of Haiti.
I'm sorry to hear of your difficult experience! I can't imagine what you or that young boy went though with such a sudden and horrific disaster. Especially for a child to go back to the place he knew as his home to see everything buried under mold and debris. Similarly, the natural disasters in Haiti has also left lingering effects on its people, who will continue to struggle, not only with the destruction of their homes, but also the emotional turmoil of the horrible experience that ripped through their lives. It hit me when you said that we really don't hear about it anymore.
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