Desperation

Normally I wouldn't do this. I wouldn't layout my personal/family life. I try to keep fandom and my family/social life seperated for the most part. Sometimes its hard to do but I'm always successful because - while they both impact each other - they don't have much to do with the other.

Most of you know, especially in recent weeks, how I've been reporting on my own health problems. I do so because they will directly effect my writing. I won't be able to write until I am better. I can't update while in the hospital. Well, Monday night, my life, the life of my family and families all around the country and world was turned to choas.

Hurricane Katrina is another example of mother nature doing what so few of us realize she is capable of: she destroyed lives of thousands. Including those in my family.

As of 4 o'clock CT, I still have 20+ family members and close friend missing out of the New Orleans, Slidell and Mobile area and even more of my family is homeless. As of right now, I would say about 60% of my family is homeless, in fact.

My Uncle Buddy called us late Wed. night to tell us that, as of right now, he has $30 and two sets of clothes to his name. He doesn't know where to go or what to do.

My Aunt Nancy, her children, their children and a few others got out safe but their homes are either gone or completely destroyed. In Aunt Nancy's case, where her bedroom used to be there is a large tree splitting her home in half.

My Aunt Linda, cousin Kim (w/ husband JR and daughter Hannnah) and cousin Billy are homeless and living with a large handful of family in Florida...

I could go on and on but I won't. It's too much like a horror movie.

As of right now, where looking (somewhat desperately) for our missing family members:

• Brenda Winters
• Scotty Winters
• Rachel + Barry
• Edwin Harvey (his wife + 2 children)
• Jamie Winters (+3 children)
• Diaena (+family)
• Genie Maldonado(+2 sons)  - last seen in the 2nd story of their apartment.

They all live in varying areas. If you have any information, please, please contact me. If you have no information, please get the word out to contact their family.

 

Also, for those looking to help or looking for information about their own family. Here is an update directly from my uncle (Buddy).

The Red Cross & FEMA: NO HELP

                 My uncle, whom I have said before called and told us he had $30, no food, two sets of clothes and no where to go, called the Red Cross & FEMA, as well as various other places that they are saying call if you need food vouches or help.....he called, told them his situation and they said, directly quoting,: "Don't call unless it's an emergency" [insert entirely too rude voice]

               He again repeated his situation. He's homeless and has no food. What the hell do they consider an emergency? They hung up on him.

The same happened with every place he called. They were either rude or absolutely no help.

So, if you're looking to help, please consider donating food and water instead of money. They're obviously no using their resources to help those in need. What they hell they're doing, I don't know because it seems like only today (after the military arrived (thank god)) was anyone getting help.

Right now, my own family is looking to help our own family and friends. A few kind souls have given us money, baby clothes and perishables to send to them. We're making care packages.

Also, if any family members are in the Astrodom, we are going to come get you but you have to call us!

We may not be able to offer you all the comforts of home but we can give you warm food, a shower and some help that so obviously FEMA and the Red Cross aren't giving.

In some desperation, my sister and I are organizing a small donation drive to help with our family (and others) situation. We are planning (and hoping) to sell Katrina Relief braclets for $1 or so to anyone who is willing to help.

I realize that my family is just a drop in the bucket, so many people need help desperately, so please, I encourage you, even if its just to send prayers or well-wishes to those out there, send them.

We will welcome them with open arms.

Conversely, my own fiancee (PFC, USMC) is on standby to go into the New Orleans area to help with the security. I cannot tell you how much that has my heart in my throat. Not only are they looters trying to overrun New Orleans in a Escape From New York-esque style but there is disease in every reach of that area.

I don't know what to say. I just don't anymore. I'm sure I've rambled through this, flubbed it up completely but I just don't know where I'm at anymore. I admit my life, my situation is so much better than so many. I wish there was something, on a grand scale, that I could do to help but there just isn't.

Its maddening to be so helpless like so many others. Everyone is desperate to help and so am I but here is what I tell you, be careful who you do help. So many aren't at all grateful for what they are getting.

Just in my area alone, 3 hours away from the astrodom with 5,000 people coming here to stay and 25,000 coming to San Antonio...there have, just in the last few hours, been reports of cars of those who came out to help being stolen, rape, people getting mugged. So, yes, be careful who you help.

But, more later and hopefully I'll be of a more sound mind to continue.

Desperation

Normally I wouldn't do this. I wouldn't layout my personal/family life. I try to keep fandom and my family/social life seperated for the most part. Sometimes its hard to do but I'm always successful because - while they both impact each other - they don't have much to do with the other.

Most of you know, especially in recent weeks, how I've been reporting on my own health problems. I do so because they will directly effect my writing. I won't be able to write until I am better. I can't update while in the hospital. Well, Monday night, my life, the life of my family and families all around the country and world was turned to choas.

Hurricane Katrina is another example of mother nature doing what so few of us realize she is capable of: she destroyed lives of thousands. Including those in my family.

As of 4 o'clock CT, I still have 20+ family members and close friend missing out of the New Orleans, Slidell and Mobile area and even more of my family is homeless. As of right now, I would say about 60% of my family is homeless, in fact.

My Uncle Buddy called us late Wed. night to tell us that, as of right now, he has $30 and two sets of clothes to his name. He doesn't know where to go or what to do.

My Aunt Nancy, her children, their children and a few others got out safe but their homes are either gone or completely destroyed. In Aunt Nancy's case, where her bedroom used to be there is a large tree splitting her home in half.

My Aunt Linda, cousin Kim (w/ husband JR and daughter Hannnah) and cousin Billy are homeless and living with a large handful of family in Florida...

I could go on and on but I won't. It's too much like a horror movie.

As of right now, where looking (somewhat desperately) for our missing family members:

• Brenda Winters
• Scotty Winters
• Rachel + Barry
• Edwin Harvey (his wife + 2 children)
• Jamie Winters (+3 children)
• Diaena (+family)
• Genie Maldonado(+2 sons)  - last seen in the 2nd story of their apartment.

They all live in varying areas. If you have any information, please, please contact me. If you have no information, please get the word out to contact their family.

 

Also, for those looking to help or looking for information about their own family. Here is an update directly from my uncle (Buddy).

The Red Cross & FEMA: NO HELP

                 My uncle, whom I have said before called and told us he had $30, no food, two sets of clothes and no where to go, called the Red Cross & FEMA, as well as various other places that they are saying call if you need food vouches or help.....he called, told them his situation and they said, directly quoting,: "Don't call unless it's an emergency" [insert entirely too rude voice]

               He again repeated his situation. He's homeless and has no food. What the hell do they consider an emergency? They hung up on him.

The same happened with every place he called. They were either rude or absolutely no help.

So, if you're looking to help, please consider donating food and water instead of money. They're obviously no using their resources to help those in need. What they hell they're doing, I don't know because it seems like only today (after the military arrived (thank god)) was anyone getting help.

Right now, my own family is looking to help our own family and friends. A few kind souls have given us money, baby clothes and perishables to send to them. We're making care packages.

Also, if any family members are in the Astrodom, we are going to come get you but you have to call us!

We may not be able to offer you all the comforts of home but we can give you warm food, a shower and some help that so obviously FEMA and the Red Cross aren't giving.

In some desperation, my sister and I are organizing a small donation drive to help with our family (and others) situation. We are planning (and hoping) to sell Katrina Relief braclets for $1 or so to anyone who is willing to help.

I realize that my family is just a drop in the bucket, so many people need help desperately, so please, I encourage you, even if its just to send prayers or well-wishes to those out there, send them.

We will welcome them with open arms.

Conversely, my own fiancee (PFC, USMC) is on standby to go into the New Orleans area to help with the security. I cannot tell you how much that has my heart in my throat. Not only are they looters trying to overrun New Orleans in a Escape From New York-esque style but there is disease in every reach of that area.

I don't know what to say. I just don't anymore. I'm sure I've rambled through this, flubbed it up completely but I just don't know where I'm at anymore. I admit my life, my situation is so much better than so many. I wish there was something, on a grand scale, that I could do to help but there just isn't.

Its maddening to be so helpless like so many others. Everyone is desperate to help and so am I but here is what I tell you, be careful who you do help. So many aren't at all grateful for what they are getting.

Just in my area alone, 3 hours away from the astrodom with 5,000 people coming here to stay and 25,000 coming to San Antonio...there have, just in the last few hours, been reports of cars of those who came out to help being stolen, rape, people getting mugged. So, yes, be careful who you help.

But, more later and hopefully I'll be of a more sound mind to continue.