It wasn't too long ago when I received an e-mail from the San Diego chapter of the American Red Cross. The e-mail was sent en masse to every Red Cross volunteer in our region. It was all over the news that Hurricane Matthew was brewing, and it didn't register in my head that I could be called to action. Gerry and I had just returned from Italy where we vacationed with friends, and my suitcase wasn't fully unpacked. I quickly packed my suitcase with the appropriate clothes and shoes, went to headquarters to pick up my Mission card and disaster folder, and before I knew it, I was on a Delta flight to Columbia, South Carolina. It happened so fast. When I arrived at the airport, there was an AVIS rental car waiting for me, and a motel room to hunker down in for the night since it was nearly midnight when I arrived.
I had waited six years for the opportunity to help in a major national disaster, but the time wasn't right due to my job and/or familial responsibilities. All of the courses I'd taken and workshops I attended over the years qualified me to be deployed to the Carolina states to assist in this flood disaster. I was in South and North Carolina for a total of ten days, but I had earlier committed to a minimum of 2 weeks of service. Before I explain my early return home, I must tell you that I met and worked with a group of wonderful and giving individuals that formed our strong team of six, which later became seven. We each had our own strengths in character, and where one of us lacked in physical strength, the others picked up and carried the rest of us forward. Our team was a well-oiled machine, and we vowed that no matter where Staffing sent us, we would stay together. My awesone team, fom left to right: Bobby, Margot, Linda C., Glendeleen, Julie, Linda H. (our supervisor) and me. |
After closing the Calvin Heights Elementary School shelter in Wilmington, North Carolina, we learned, to our dismay, that we would be separated. We knew, really, from the beginning that it would be hard to keep us all together to the end of the disaster recovery, but it was worth wishing for. Three would go on to work the ERV (emergency response vehicle which is used to transport food to various shelters), two others went to support a shelter on a college campus, and our fearless leader is in her new assignment as a shelter manager.
Working the shelter is constant and tiring work. It's physical, mental and emotional. I found myself holding back tears on one occasion, and I felt like I was starving on another occasion. I kept saying to myself that I would find time to take a little nap when the time was right, and I never did. I was always the last to go to the bed, and the first to rise. I would make myself available to work in the cafeteria, as not everyone was awake in the gymnasium yet, and that's how I got to know the Salvation Army crew and the school cafeteria manager. The Salvation Army truck was my go-to place for my morning coffee. It was my secret for a short while.
After days and days of caring for the clients and tending to their needs, I one day found myself feeling so worn down, and my eyes were stinging from sun sensitivity. I couldn't find my sunglasses the day before, and the sun shining in my eyes was becoming unbearable that I knew it would be unsafe to drive a vehicle, which I was doing a lot of the time. The day we learned we would be going our separate ways, my body was telling me that this would be the perfect time to stop and go home to rest. Being in constant physical motion for hours and days got the best of me.
To not listen to my body would surely mean a lupus flare-up, and I didn't want to risk that. I hadn't been so sick in a long time, and I don't want to go there again. I have the autoimmune disease called lupus. Thinking back, I remember someone asking me on Facebook if I was handling my pain well. I appreciated that question, and I think I might have forgotten to reply to her. Well, I have been home for four days now. I am in constant touch with my team, and they are out there continuing to serve those affected by the floor. They are heroes forever, in my eyes.
The day after I returned home, I received a call from Cathy, Workforce Engagement Manager, with the Red Cross. She said that I would be a perfect candidate for the Shelter Supervisors Workshop. Linda H., throughout my deployment, frequently told me that, too. The San Diego chapter is gearing up for fire season, and there's that big earthquake that the world is talking about. I've always liked being in charge, and I feel this will be a perfect fit for me. I just have to look like a disaster action team member. I didn't have the proper T-shirts, polo shirts or vest to wear. There wasn't enough time for me to acquire them. Ugh, I looked very much like a newbie, I will be ready for the next call to action.

No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!