OT - Joplin, MO

Hi guys,

Remember I was all excited about finally getting a job using my degree?  So, I moved down to MO last month.  I work in Joplin at the university (MSSU) where all of the relief efforts & government agencies are centered.  Luckily for me, I wasn't able to find an apt with a 4/15 start date in Joplin, so I ended up living about 7 miles directly south of the city. 

All of the university staff who have been relatively unaffected by the tornado have been asked to report to work & help coordinate activities or volunteer in whatever way you can.  I have a counseling background & for most of the day talked with people who were waiting in a room to talk with a chaplain to see if their loved one who was missing fit anyone on the list of the dead.  In many cases, bodies that were found didn't have identification & then if their description matched someone on the list, they were taken by police to make a positive ID on the body.

It was so sad.  People brought in pictures of their loved ones.  More than one were missing their child.  There was this one couple who did receive confirmation that their daughter had been killed, and then they asked, "So what do we do now?  Where do we go?  We don't have a house to go home to."    You just receive news that your daughter's dead & you can't even go home to grieve.  What's an adequate response to that?  Here's a list of shelters . . . someone can take to one of your choice. 

There's a lot of volunteer chaplains from all over that have come in.  I think there's plenty of people here now who have a lot of experience with unexpected deaths.  I don't think I'm going to choose to do that again today.  There's so many things to do, I will help in some other capacity.  That was seriously hard to do. 

I couldn't find my keys this morning.  It finally occurred to me to look in my door or car.  I seriously left them hanging in my door (that doesn't have a screen) . . . all night long . . . right in front of my parked car.  Lucky again . . .

Can I get a group hug, guys??  I'm seriously missing my family right now.  I know I have so much to be grateful for & I AM, but I don't really know anyone here yet & it would be really nice to be able to have some physical contact (hug) from someone I love back in WI.  Of course, I've talked to them, but it's just not the same.

 Oh gosh, Lisey, it sounds awful! I am so glad that you are ok. My heart goes out to the community. What a terrible thing. I know it's not the same as a real live hug but here's a virtual one {{{{Lisey}}}}

 Lisey, I am so sorry.  I am also glad you are okay (well, physically anyway).  



Stay strong, sweetie.  I'm sorry you have to deal with something so horrible first hand. 

Glad to hear that your OK. My heart goes out to everyone who was effected by this disaster. I'll keep you all in my prayers. I hope you get that hug today.I wish I could do it person.

Lisey,
Thanks for posting. We were all concerned. I'm glad you're physically OK, although the emotional stress is still there. My prayers go out to everyone in your area.

{{{{HUGS}}}}

(((((HUGE HUG)))))

Oh Honey, god bless you..Those poor people, it shocking what these natural disasters can do.
I know how it feels to be working in a disaster situatiuon as I am a trained therapist and was a social worker at the time of the Kings cross disaster in London, we were all called in to do the same task assigned to you. I know how the shock and terror and disbelief on those poor peoples faces affects you. My Brother who is blind was also missing in the disaster (he was found unharmed as a kind passer by had helped him out).

I am sending you a hug and some advice, try and plan something pleasant and relaxing for yourself once your immediate duties are over...this helps you to have an outside focus and stops it turning over and over in your mind. Try and focus on the happy outcomes, the ones who get reunited etc.
 Make sure you eat, sleep and stay hydrated and maybe use this disaster as a time to make some connections in your new workplace, this kind if terrible event brings out the humanity in all of us and even the most unapproachable people soften and maybe receptive to helpful and caring newcomers.
But in the meantime sweetie I am sending you my biggest strongest and proudest hug ever ((((((()))))))

Yorkie xx

Sending lots of  feel free to use generously as needed! It is also great to hear you are alright physically. Stay strong, it is definitely hard to be away from family, especially with all that has happened.

Do what you can, and know that you are doing the best you can.  No matter what you decide to do, you are making a difference to people who need your help, and that is something you can be very proud of.

You have our hugs and our good thoughts for you and your new town.

(((((Lisey)))))

Keep you all in my thoughts.