Alternative Spring Break

Written and presented by Corey McCord for the ASB Chapel Hour in Evelyn Chapel on Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Katrina Victims have seen more than the loss of a home
While we are camping in hope
They make their tents in camp despair
They simply long for an ear

Men and women who lived, breathed and spoke New Orleans
Now bask in loneliness
Their neighbors who they once played cards with, ate dinner with and shared in existence
Now converse with them in complete silence

Many say silence brings solace
Yet, it only reminds them of what they lost
Bodies covered in blankets on a bridge served as a makeshift cemetery
No amount of money can assuage the pain of lost

Babies drowned in extreme poverty from the lack of
Food, clean water and communal care from the nation as a whole
Furniture and ordinary slabs of wood became life boats
As the Justice League and the Teen Titans
Could be seen along the ravaging sea fighting with soap

They were eager to clean away the plague of social negligence
In order to preserve their loved ones from undue pestilence-
an unsympathetic government

Aid did not come from the national commonwealth
Aid came from the hearts of ordinary citizens like you and me.
If patriotism does not exist
In the passion of the steadfastness and commitment to duty we exhibited;
We bear no nationality
Except that which the Divine has coined
God’s children.

We reach out beyond ourselves to grasp those who’ve slipped
To catch them before they reach the pavement
We reach out and grasp those who are high on death
To bring them back to earth’s firmament

When the divine coined the term Angel,
Guardian Angel:
Who would have thought that the Divine would be speaking of us.

We rolled up our selves to gut houses
We walked the 9th ward with a stethoscope and a purpose
We painted over the dark black and grey hues of downtrodden New Orleans
Renewing the city with the color of sunshine

As Angels we walk with a purpose.

Each and everyone of us
Who took time the time out to become apart
Of the history and existence of New Orleans
Have transformed from strangers to family.

We have to remember:
Family does not abandon,
Family does not make excuses for not being there;
Family cares.

Our hearts and souls will will be forever connected to New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish.
For the victims of Katrina, moreover- the victims of social negligence
We pray for your health as your existence is something we eternally cherish

As a community of God’s children
We need to continue to reach out to New Orleans
So they can know someone is caring.

April 2, 2008

It is interesting to see how much of a change someone can go through as 
a result of one experience. When we decided to go on this trip to New 
Orleans, no one had a clue about what was in store for us, and what we 
would be getting ourselves into. When we arrived at Camp Hope, some of 
us were more optimistic than others. However, as the days went on, and 
after reflecting upon all of our experiences at different sites, we 
began to gain a new understanding of why we were here. Devastation, 
death, and destruction are present everywhere in New Orleans, and we 
got to witness that first hand, and it was worse than any of us could 
have imagined. However, the most amazing aspect of it all is that the 
people of New Orleans still have optimism, hope, and faith that their 
city will be rebuilt – that their families and communities will be 
rebuilt.  

This trip has caused us to reevaluate what we stand for and how we 
choose to live our lives.  However, we can all agree that what we have 
taken out of this trip is appreciating the smaller things that life has 
to offer, and that the simplest act of kindness can make a world of 
difference to someone else. – The Honey Bees

We have returned safe and sound! 

Back in Bloomington after an exhausting and illuminating trip to New Orleans, the students, faculty and staff of the 2008 ASB trip unloaded the bus and went our various ways some driving home for Easter, others back to dorms, all with hope of a nice hot shower and warm comfortable bed.

 Keep checking out these posts because in the next week more student reflections and a photographic reflection of our week will be posted.  If you are in town, join us for Chapel Hour on Wednesday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Evelyn Chapel where the ASB group will share with all who are present what was seen and experienced on the trip and what we bring home with us to the Bloomington-Normal community.  It will be a Chapel Hour about hope. 

While canvassing the neighborhoods of the lower 9th ward, our student nurses were privileged to listen to stories of people who lived through hurricanes Betsy and Katrina, people whose lives continue to be challenged and changed each day.  This is one person’s story . . .  

During our week of canvassing the Lower 9th Ward, speaking with 
residents, assessing their health and referring them to
the newly established Lower 9th Ward Community Health Clinic, one of 
our groups ran across a man, sitting on his porch,
by the initials of L.D.  In the course of our health assessment, we 
discovered L.D. was very severely visually impaired.
Several days earlier, people had broken into his house and stolen his 
glasses and all his contacts, along with many other 
personal items and information.

We sat with L.D. for a short time and he told us his story.

L.D. has lived in that old brick house ever since he was a child, and 
thus far, the structure has survived the flooding
of both Hurricane Betsy and Hurricane Katrina.  When Hurricane Betsy 
struck, L.D. was only a senior in high school.  L.D.
and his family had stayed to ride out the storm, but were forced to 
evacuate their home in search of higher ground when 
the water rose to the top of L.D.’s chest.  He and his family waded 
through the water for nearly a half mile before they 
found refuge on the third floor of a middle school.

Years later, L.D. became an elementary school teacher and worked at 
that same school where he had sheltered back in 1968.  
By pure coincidence, his assigned homeroom was the very room where his 
family had stayed during the storm!Just prior to Hurricane Katrina, L.D. transferred to Louis Armstrong 
Middle School, and again, was assigned a homeroom of 
the exact room number of the room he stayed in during Hurricane Betsy!  
However, he was in charge of a class for only
five days before the residents of New Orleans were ordered to evacuate. 
 This time, L.D. evacuated, albeit late.  If he had not, L.D. might not 
be here today. Caddy corner on the next block, his 
neighbor drowned in his own home.  Down the road, L.D.’s cousin drowned 
in the street.  

 Across the street, two men survived
the initial flood by taking shelter on their respective roofs.  One man 
was rescued by a boat three days later.  The other
man had been missed.  Seven days later, desperate from dehydration, 
that man drank some of the flood water.  He was dead
within three days from massive septic infection. Four little girls and their mother, all of whom L.D. had taught, 
drowned during the storm two blocks over.  His school was
unable to be salvaged and it was demolished.  Among the survivors, 
stories were told of dead bodies, many of them former
neighbors, floating in the streets.  It was said the alligators, which 
began to inhabit the neighboorhood, were even seen 
eating on the newly drowned corpses.  Residents battled with bayou 
snakes and rats.

Its funny how the smallest and most random moments in life can have the biggest impact. Although the food at camp is surprisingly yummy, all week I have desperately wanted WheatThins for some random reason so when the offer came to ride the van to the Walgreens that is 15 minutes away (Yes 15 minutes! No Walgreens on every corner here.), I quickly grabbed some cash and went along. After picking up the WheatThins and some Diet Pepsi, I got into line. As I was swiping my debit card, the cashier looked me straight in the eye and said “We really appreciate you being here.” At first I was completely shocked at the amazing customer service. Wow! The people back home barely say have a nice day and this woman was giving me a heartfelt thank you for shopping at the local Walgreens! I soon realized that she was not thanking me for my purchase but instead for being in the city and doing a small part in helping these people get back on their feet. I know it may seem simple, but that moment has had the biggest impact on me thus far. The woman had nothing tangible to thank me for, but she took a moment to say thank you anyways. It really made me think about all the things tangible and intangible that we never say thank you for and how the simplest gestures can really have an impact on someone you don’t even know. Eating the WheatThins later that night was even better after the experience! 

 – Abby Sullivan for The Green Tree Frogs

Today a small group of us went back to the old nursing home to continue our demolition work. Though I volunteered for the project, I initially wasn’t so sure I’d be up for another day of pulling down ceiling tiles, breaking through walls with giant sledgehammers, pushing giant wheelbarrows, and wearing those stifling masks and gloves. As it turns out we were more than ready for our second day. In fact, we were the first group to unload the supply truck and the last to leave the site.

As we left I realized just how much we had accomplished with only two short days of work. We started with a massive building which had hardly been touched and by 4pm today you could see through every wall and every ceiling!!! I just cannot get over how much of that building we were able to take down in only twelve hours and with no experience whatsoever.

Just think about how much we could do for the people of New Orleans and for people all over the world if only we would all get over our initial reservations about projects we may find challenging and if only we would all spend just a few hours doing something that we thought we’d never do.

– Kelly Petrowski for The Green Tree Frogs

One night for reflection, the Green Tree Frogs were challenged to creatively express what they were experiencing.  Here are a few creative expressions . . .

Stripped

The world stripped clean,
Lives changed forever.
Past remembered.  Hope.

– Bridget McFadden for the Green Tree Frogs

Project Poem

And Camp Hope said
     Let there be sledge hammers,
     crow bars,
     safety goggles,
     sun block
     and AGGRESSION!

On that day,
The Great Wall of China cowered in fear
of our mighty motivation
and of our demolition derby tools.

On the second day of the week, Camp Hope said:
      Let there be paint,
      scrapers,
      ladders,
      insect repellent,
      and the color ORANGE.

The house became imbued by freshly squeezed tangerines.
Our derrieres have residue of work turned into play
like glue and kids from first grade
as they are stained with orange hand prints
like our project was to beautify our denim canvases
      with finger paint.

– Corey McCord for the Green Tree Frogs

On Tuesday, the student nurses went to the lower 9th ward to educate residents about a local health clinic.  We connected residents to vital community resources and screened for high blood pressure and diabetes.  Our job is complicated by the fear and disorganization of the neighborhood.  People refused to open their doors.  They live in gutted out homes.  Most are the only ones to inhabit a home out of a whole block of homes.

Billy owns the only two story house on the block, a camelback shotgun house.  When the hurricane came, Billy and his father stayed behind.  As the water from the broken levy rose over the first story of this house, up to the balcony of the second story, Billy and his father helped neighbors climb on to their balcony.  One neighbor floated using an electrical wire to keep from being swept away with the current.  For days, Bill and his neighbors waited for help. 

Two and a half years later, Billy and his father are rebuilding his home.  Despite flood and mold damage, Billy wants to rebuild his life.  To him, the house reminds him of survival and gives him hope for the revival of his neighborhood.

Other changes are rapid.  Yesterday, a student nurse met Randolph who has high blood pressure.  After discussing ways to lower his blood pressure, he mentioned that he did not take his medication for the day.  On a follow up visit, the same student nurse reassessed Randolph’s blood pressure.  He told the student that he had taken his blood pressured medication that day.  Through visitation and reminding people that self care even in the midst of devastation and struggle is critical, the student nurses realized that at the end of the day our work in NOLA (New Orleans, LA) gives hope to those still in the lower 9th ward by letting htem know they are not alone — they are not forgotten.

 When we return to Illinois Wesleyan we will bring with us this important understanding and this critical knowledge:  that an active community is one of the best health resources available.

– The Eastern Brown Pelicans

For many of the people in our group (Catahoula Hounds), our trip to 
New Orleans has been one big excavation. 

 Marli, who was part of the group who gutted out a former nursing home,   found pictures and mementos of patients who used to stay there. She says                    it was an emotional time for her, realizing how difficult it must have been for                                    the people to just leave all of their personal belongings behind. While taking out 
furniture, a box of cigarette and lighter fell on Craig’s head. He 
thought that the patient was probably hiding those from the nurses. We 
all thought it was pretty cool how digging through those ruins led him 
to also (accidentally) find out someone’s secret.

 Today, I was with Lauren and the other nursing students. They went 
from home to home to check the residents’ blood pressure and give them 
information about the medical center and other helpful and free 
resources available to them. Walking the streets of the Lower 9th Ward 
and looking for patients was a hunt in itself. In Delery Street, only 7 
out of the 61 houses (some still in shatters) we saw were inhabited. 
Pretty much of St. Bernard’s Parish was deserted. So there goes our 
mission—four girls trekking a dead town, in search for people, under 
the scorching, Louisiana heat. However, when we did find a resident, it 
was a treat—like the 41 year old  man mowing his lawn or the ”spicy” 
grandma living in the big, peach house–as we got the opportunity to 
hear their experience and stories before, during the hurricane and the 
aftermath.
 These little anecdotes show how our group ”excavated” not just the 
tourist-infiltrated French Quarter we got to visit the other day, but 
the real New Orleans: the city that after almost three years still has 
an empty K-mart store and hundreds of dilapidated homes; the city that 
was not only hit by the hurricane, but also whose levees broke that 
left hundreds of people dead and many more homeless; the real New 
Orleans whose citizens are constantly disgruntled by aggravatingly 
bureaucratic insurance companies, fraudulent contractors and their 
neighbor-turned-thieves, and who are unfortunately jaded by the 
government’s inaction, indifference and downright irresponsibility! 
 But I also think these stories reveal how much we dug about 
ourselves… 

 That and countless stories that my group experienced through the ASB 
show our own sweet discoveries about life and our views about the 
world. For me, I realize that even though I cannot expect some people, 
like the American government, to help solve the problems in New 
Orleans, I can still choose to be optimistic. My time with Stella 
reveals that I can never underestimate the power of miracles and how 
they can change a person’s day, even life. Being an International 
Studies major, I realize that no matter how depressing circumstances 
may be for the world right now, I can still choose to pursue a career 
in Development and make a difference. I can choose to dig deeper and 
find innovative solutions. I can choose to believe in hope and be a 
beacon of hope. – Marie-Claudine E. Villacorta for The Catahoula Hounds

Our very large group has been broken up into five teams for the purposes of reflection and connection.  These teams are:  The Mighty Magnolias, The Catahoula Hounds, The Green Tree Frogs, The Honey Bees, and the Eastern Brown Pelicans.  Our first reflection is from the Mighty  Magnolias

Our first day at work was a long one! We started early with a 6am breakfast and had some time to get ourselves ready to set out to our work site at 7:30. Upon first arriving at the site, the remains of what once was St. Margaret’s Nursing Home in the 9th ward, we were giving an orientation from the director of Operation Nehemiah, Fred Franke. He emphasized how grateful the New Orleans community is that we are here to help (this point was driven home when one of the local residents came out of his house to thank us personally.) We then split up into three groups; a little more than half of us stayed to do demolition work on the former St. Margaret’s buildings and others bused over to the new, operating St. Margaret’s Nursing Home to talk to residents, and our nursing students went door to door offering health screenings for the local clinic. Volunteers at the new St. Margaret’s building helped to prepare  and host a St. Patrick’s Day party, enjoyed music with residents, read to and got to know the residents as well.  Some projects at eh demolition site included removing sinks and light fixtures, clearing debris and knocking down walls (all of which was fun but tiring!)  The former St. Margaret’s site was very interesting because many of the residents’ belongings have remained untouched since the storm.  It seems, in the 9th ward, as though Katrina stopped time and many of us found ourselves imagining this place on August 29th, 2005  under 7 feet of water, when so many people had to leave their lives behind (and many of them, to this day, still have little or nothing to return to.)  We continue to reflect on what we are doing and why we are here. We are challenged to keep our minds turning throughout the week and even longer, seeing that our impact and our reflection doesn’t need to end when we return to Bloomington this weekend.  After a physically and mentally exhausting day, sleep seems like a great gift before we are ready to start a new day tomorrow!