Hurricane Katrina Recovery Team Journals: Wendy Vincent - Disaster Shakti - Multicultural Center for Research and Practice - Antioch University New England/title> <h1>Hurricane Katrina Recovery - Team Journals</h1> <p><img src="http://www.multiculturalcenter.org/shakti/images/RecoveryTeam2.jpg" border="1" class="alignleft" title="Katrina Recovery Team from Antioch" alt="Katrina Recovery Team from Antioch"><br> <span class="small">Left to Right: Anders Goranson, Claire Dunnett, Stephanie Miller, Kate Airey, Alison Roy, Vanessa Partridge, Michael Brodeur.</span></p> <p class="bggreen1"> <a href="photos.cfm"><span class="small">Photo slideshow 1</span></a><br> <a href="photos2.cfm"><span class="small">Photo slideshow 2</span></a> </p> <div id="tabs_sm"> <ul> <li><a href="gargi.cfm">Gargi</a></li> <li><a href="anders.cfm">Anders</a></li> <li><a href="claire.cfm">Claire</a></li> <li><a href="stephanie.cfm">Stephanie</a></li> <li><a href="kate.cfm">Kate</a></li> <li><a href="alison.cfm">Alison</a></li> <li><a href="vanessa.cfm">Vanessa</a></li> <li id="current"><a href="wendy.cfm">Wendy</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear:both;"></div> <p><strong>August 7, 2006</strong><br> Katrina Note, Wendy Vincent</p> <p><img src="/shakti/images/wendy_sm.jpg" border="1" align="right" class="alignright" title="Antioch University New England student, Wendy Vincent" alt="Photo of Antioch University New England student, Wendy Vincent">For me, today was a good day. I was struck by the number of times I felt chills travel over my skin and tears try to make their way into my eyes. The stories that we heard from men and women, young and old, were beautiful in many ways. The descriptions that people shared of their homes, as well as the systemic obstacles and personal emotions they continue to encounter as they try to rebuild their worlds, brought the Katrina experience to life for me. Seeing the devastation (rubble, houses uprooted off their foundations, a boat sandwiched in between two homes, an ADP truck sliding off a roof, signs about mold, and homes tattooed with codes indicating the inspection date and number of dead) with my own eyes made me realize the enormous nature of Katrina’s wrath.</p> <p>For some reason, I could not take my eyes off of the water line marks on homes in certain parts of town. The fact that the homes sustained these permanent scars almost branded them as abuse victims. I think that for me the lines represent a drowning of the community. These communities were under water for a long time, and the systems - as they exist now - are keeping many people under water.</p> <p>What was so beautiful to see in talking with the staff at Monteleone was that despite floating to hell and back, each person continues to smile and to fight. The fact that some people are rebuilding amidst the devastation and others are able to identify the positive aspects of Katrina’s wrath truly amazes me. At the same time, when we met with the group of hotel workers to share stories, I was particularly struck by the energy and emotion in the room. People seem to be saying one thing, and at the same time, I sensed that there was more to it. I’m saddened, not only that this disaster happened in the first place, but that nearly a year later, the citizens of New Orleans are still in the thick of battle. I feel worried about certain people we met, and I feel this overwhelming sense of wanting to help and wanting to listen more. I listened to examples of coping and defense mechanisms, and while it’s impressive that they’ve discovered ways to deal with this horrific tragedy, I worry about the life-long impact Katrina will have on the spirit of New Orleans and its people. These are caring, loving, generous, and friendly people, who seem to be holding onto that, but I wonder for how long. I wonder about the people we didn’t talk to today.</p> <p>I could feel some outrage bubbling way below the surface of me today. It’s definitely contained, but I suspect that I was perhaps holding it for some others in the room, who have every right in the world to feel incredibly outraged by the inequity of treatment by insurance and loan companies, as well as the government and the media’s inadequate coverage of the New Orleans’ tragedy. A year later, the city is not put back together; however, a year later, if you choose to turn a blind eye, you certainly can since our government pays little attention to the city, and our media chooses isolated incidences that are not illustrative of the community as a whole to highlight as it communicates that everything is fine in the Big Easy. You can even come to New Orleans and think that everything is just fine - until you travel beyond the touristy French Quarter. I knew that everything wasn’t fine, but until 4 p.m. today, I knew nothing of Katrina. After touring with the team, I saw just how strong she was. And, her legacy will live on in the hearts, minds, and spirits of everyone in New Orleans. I feel like I got a taste of her impact today. Today, I was touched in many ways.</p> <hr> <p><strong>August 8, 2006</strong><br> Katrina Note, Wendy Vincent</p> <p>Today I felt this remarkable sense of hope and inspiration as I listened to the Dean of the University of New Orleans and his colleagues speak to the charter school teachers at their orientation day. Classes start for the children on Monday, and today the teachers received welcome messages from many of the people in power within the charter school’s organization. I was moved (at times to near tears of immense pride and happiness) by the speakers, as each emphasized the importance of the teachers becoming empowered to teach and unencumbered by unnecessary distractions from their primary goal of creating a positive learning experience for the young children of New Orleans.</p> <p>At the same time, I was struck by the Dean’s statement that Katrina “created the most anxiety that collectively any of us have ever experienced.” Of course I knew that, but it hit home to hear it articulated. I experienced those same chills that I did yesterday as I listened to stories of the devastation and loss. About fifty percent of the teachers raised their hands when asked who lost their homes. I think I felt encouraged that not everyone’s hand went up; however, the fact that half of the teachers had their material lives robbed from them, tells me that they’ll be started the school year climbing up hill. Despite this, teachers clapped and smiled at the prospect of being part of this new system - a refreshingly new and inspirational way of “doing business” and approaching the education of New Orleans’ youth population. I felt privileged to be sitting among those educators who had been hand picked to teach the children and to be able to hear firsthand how the University of New Orleans conceptualizes its responsibility and its philosophy in the education of the “future” of the city. This opportunity to cross over into another discipline (one where counselors and therapist certainly have a role) and be part of the orientation process was a wonderful gift for me.</p> <hr> <p><strong>August 9, 2006</strong><br> Katrina Note, Wendy Vincent</p> <p>Today I was most struck by the reality that people were living lives and having difficulties before Katrina hit. In other words, my mind had focused solely on the material devastation to property and its impact on the emotional and financial well-being of the citizens of New Orleans; however, water damage, house destruction, and emotional upheaval wasn’t all that occurred. Babies were being born, people were dying of natural causes, relationships were ending - life was and still is proceeding just like mine and yours; however, life for those in New Orleans is coupled with this tremendously huge burden that Katrina bore on its people nearly one year ago.</p> <p>As I listened to more stories today, told by school teachers, shop owners, and counselors, I began to really “feel” the loss. Of course the impact on me was miniscule in comparison to the devastation felt by the people of New Orleans. I felt something for them and because of them, nonetheless. I heard time and time again today, eloquently told stories vivid with images of loss at all levels.</p> <p>I took some time to visit some shops in the French Quarter. While I walked around, I realized that it was mostly as I remembered it from years ago - lively music, smiling people, southern hospitality, and unique smells. Clearly, though, that was only what I saw on the surface. As I engaged with people on the streets and in the shops, I witnessed the other side. This side was one of pain that has taken up residence in the souls of New Orleanians. Perhaps not all of its people have been impacted to the same extent; however, time and time again, I heard people in passing talking about mental health, depression, anger, and pain. One shop owner - so ready to talk and to be listened to - bore her painful story to me, and before I knew it, she was sobbing. As she apologized to me for crying, I thanked her for sharing her story with me. I truly felt privileged to listen to her.</p> <p>As I worked on preparing a classroom bulletin board at the Nelson Charter School today, one teacher recalled fleeing the city and all that was familiar to travel to Baton Rouge with her fiancé and his family - only later to be abandoned by him, despite her continued love and commitment to the relationship. Not only did she lose her home and job to Katrina, she lost her life’s partner. Her smile tells me that she hasn’t lost her hope. That is MY hope, anyway.</p> <p>Hearing one of the school counselors discuss her loss as a well-educated, middle class citizen of New Orleans, brought the reality of Katrina’s life-altering destructiveness right home for me. Had I lived in New Orleans, I would likely be facing some of the same concerns and sense of loss that this woman experiences today. The sense of losing my home and all that I had worked to achieve, and the disillusionment toward a government and an insurance system that just cannot deliver on promises would likely have left me feeling angry, helpless, and powerless - a least for some time. As sad as it is to say, I suspect that being White in New Orleans may have helped me to fare better than some of my colleagues. Interestingly, what I had not thought of before hearing this counselor’s story, was that financial privilege actually may not have been a privilege in this case. It seems that in her experience, Katrina was an opportunity for some less fortunate to rebuild and start over, whereas for her, it was not an opportunity; it was just a burden and a hardship. I can’t help but feel sadness, though, because regardless of your situation pre-Katrina, everyone - EVERYONE - lost his/her homeland. Everyone lost a part of New Orleans - a unique piece of America - that can never be recaptured. I can only hope along with all those who truly love the city and its people, that the future will bring a revitalized and reborn New Orleans with the beauty, heart, and soul that has made it this truly unique American city.</p> <hr> <p><strong>August 14, 2006</strong><br> Katrina Note, Wendy Vincent</p> <p>Last night as I drove out of the VIP parking lot near the airport in Connecticut, I began to reflect upon the stark contrasts between New England and New Orleans. It didn’t take long for the tension of my life in New England to take hold of my shoulders with its relentless grip. That all-so-familiar tension, interestingly, had not been present at all in New Orleans. I would have thought that entering the hotter than hot summer climate of the south, listening to people devastated nearly a year ago by Hurricane Katrina, working with a group of people with whom I had never worked, and speaking at a professional conference, would have had me more tense than usual, but it didn’t. I felt amazingly alive - an unfamiliar feeling of pure love, joy, spirit, and gratefulness that I hadn’t experienced before. It’s the opposite of what I would have expected, and certainly creates the need for self-reflective pause of what’s truly important in life.</p> <p>My first encounter after landing in Connecticut was with a foul-faced woman who was beyond angry over the fact that she had to wait so long for the parking lot shuttle bus. She was ranting and raving, lips pursed tightly together. I simply shook my head in disbelief. Why do we get so riled up by trivial matters? I didn’t hear anyone that emphatically angry or demonstrative as people discussed Katrina losses or the insurance company frustrations. Likewise, as I walked around the airport and the surrounding areas, no one smiled or acknowledged me. Wow, I had been spoiled by the friendliness of southern hospitality. I had grown to really like it. For people who had lost so much, they certainly knew how to hold onto their goodness and beauty. I will take away with me from New Orleans, the power of the smile and the importance of taking time to listen to people. Everyone has a story to tell. Perhaps the people of New Orleans are more ripe story tellers right now, but even back here in New England, I can’t help but think that friendly conversation, smiles, and an available, open ear will be a welcome change to the sometimes cool New England experience</p> <p>I feel grateful to have learned some valuable life lessons from the people of New Orleans, and it will be my goal to pass along some of the spirit of its people as I continue to reintegrate back into my New England life.</p> <br> </div> </td></tr> <tr><td><img src="http://www.antiochne.edu/_images/pixel.gif" width="225" height="1"></td> <td><p align="center" id="bottomaddress">© 2007 Antioch University New England, 40 Avon Street, Keene, NH 03431-3516 800.553.8920</p> <p align="center" id="bottomnav"><a href="http://www.antiochne.edu/hr/emp_opps.cfm">Employment</a> | <a href="http://www.antioch.edu/it/helpdesk.html">HelpDesk</a> | <a href="http://www.antiochne.edu/utilities/feedback_form.cfm">Contact Us</a> | <a href="http://www.antiochne.edu/sitemap.cfm">Sitemap</a> | <a href="http://my.antioch.edu/">myAntioch</a> | <a href="http://www.antiochne.edu/utilities/webtickets_form.cfm?url=http://www.antiochne.edu/multiculturalcenter/shakti/katrina/wendy.cfm" target="new"> Propose an Edit</a></p> <div style="font-size:10px;color:000000;padding:3px;margin:2px;text-align:center"> Last Updated: 11/10/08 </div> </td> </tr> </table> <script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-378313-1"; urchinTracker(); </script> </body> </html>