In a previous post I wrote about preparing for the storm. On August 29, 2021 Hurricane Ida destroyed our community. So many homes damaged and lives changed forever.
So as we were preparing for the storm there was much contemplation on evacuation. We decided to leave on the morning of August 29, the day the storm was scheduled to make landfall. It worked out well because there was no traffic and we were able to get to our friend's camp about 90 miles north of where we live. We were able to get there in a little over 2 hours, while others were in their cars for 13 hours the day before. At the camp there were 17 people and 5 dogs which didn't matter because we sure were happy we were there after seeing the destruction at home.
Our parish was on the eastern side of the eye-wall of the storm so we sustained the brunt of the storm. The devastation on the ride home is unexplainable. There are trees and power lines down everywhere. We arrived home to all the shingles blown off the back roof and lots of other roof damage. Water got in the house and ruined much of our furniture. But those are just things so we will search for our rainbows. So many others were not as fortunate as us. There are entire roofs blown off of houses and trees through homes everywhere you look. But what comes with total destruction is a true appreciation of your neighbors and the little things in life.
Last year, we had a home generator put in but as the saying goes when it rains it pours...our generator didn't work as planned and the installer wouldn't call us back. But our best friend is an electrician and had a huge generator he was able to connect to our house and our neighbors house. So we were all back in business within 1 day. We found that rainbow. A/c was/is a necessity as we have been in a heat advisory almost everyday since we returned home. And we need electricity to keep Wyatt's wheelchair and cough assist machine charged.
As the days have passed the wood ceiling is showing signs of mold from the water damage which is causing all of us to cough and sneeze. Wyatt even lost his voice. Our rainbow: our neighbor's company loaned us dehumidifiers and Tuna had a triple filter fan to help with filtering the allergens and decreasing the water damage.
We know that internet is not a necessity but for Wyatt it is, and really most kids these days. So we found another rainbow...about a year ago we changed to AT&T fiber network so we have internet! I truly don't know what we would with Wyatt if we didn't have it. I know that sounds crazy and very spoiled but as you all know he is pretty much stuck inside because he can't be around all of the mess outside and it's SOOO hot so he can't tolerate it. So internet has truly been a blessing for him. Luckily, Wynston is able to go out and be with his friends but then he comes back and "plays" with Wyatt during the day when it is just too hot to be outside. It's the little things ya know.
Our neighborhood has also started group dinners so food doesn't go to waste and those who could not cook in their homes would have somewhere to eat. These dinners are uplifting as you hear stories of friends helping friends and strangers alike. We seriously could not have a bigger rainbow than our neighborhood.
We are on day 11 post storm and it is amazing to see how close knit our community is but there is no end in site. They are saying plan for electricity to be back on 9/29-10/14...that means at least 3 more weeks. And now our map is getting re-evaluated because of unforeseen circumstances. So we wait and have hope that our new normal is around the corner. With a progressive diagnosis like Wyatt's we have been here before...waiting and hoping for a cure and being thankful for a community that joins together to make the journey a little more bearable.
For those of you affected by Hurricane Ida just know we will rebuild and be stronger. For my DMD community I wish we could have joined together in person on Sept 7 to bring awareness of DMD and get us closer to that cure. So even though I couldn't do my part that day; because we were still dealing with the hurricane aftermath; I know the larger DMD community had our back and was spreading awareness near and far!
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