Consumer Stories: Lisa Gregory
At the time Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, I was living in Slidell, a small town just northeast of New Orleans. I was watching the news on TV and they said Hurricane Katrina had turned away from us. I wasn't too worried about the weather.
And then, while I was sleeping, here it came, Hurricane Katrina banging down on my door to let me know it was here. A tree fell and hit the top of the roof of my house, and the loud noise woke me up. When I got out of bed to see what happened, I landed in up to my waist in filthy water. You never know what going to be in the water either down south it is really scary. I had to leave the house and find shelter in the dark of night. Wading in waist-deep water, I was praying to God to let me get through this and help me find a safe place to go!
I did find a shelter in Slidell, and the people were nice and kind there. I was very frightened and scared; I had lost everything and my home. But I was lucky; someone was watching out for me. My friend, Lee Stone, from Olympia, Washington was looking for me. I knew Lee when she lived in Louisiana and was the director of Capital Clubhouse in Olympia. She had heard about Hurricane Katrina on the news and she was worried about me. Lee worked with Steve Barnell of the Cold and Hungry Coalition in Olympia to help me get out of Louisiana. The Cold and Hungry Coalition paid for my bus ticket from Louisiana to Washington. Lee asked me if I was ready, and I couldn't wait to leave Louisiana and move to another state. I rode Greyhound across the country and when I arrived in Olympia, Lee met me at the bus station. I have never been so happy to see anyone in my life! Moving from Louisiana to Olympia was really hard I had NOTHIN! But it was the best thing I ever did in my life!
Olympia's Operation Evergreen was a huge help to me. The people who volunteered there and worked there from different agencies helped me get a new Washington ID card and an apartment, and most of all they made me feel welcome. Lee has helped me a lot and I was very glad to see her again. She helps me through anything, helped me settle down in my lifetime, and I'm glad she was watching out for me. ( Thank you from Weasel ! ) And thank you again to everyone who helped me out, got me clothes, furnishings, accessories and an apartment. The one thing I don't have that I really want is a computer. I don't need anything fancy just something that I can do homework on and keep in touch with my friends over the internet.
One of my favorite things to do in Olympia is to ride the bus and meet all the bus drivers. I miss people back home who mean a lot to me; my families, Sony; Robert "Big Guy" and Kay; Mr. and Mrs. Gill. I'm doing fine here, have a great attitude, and I love you all back at home, in Louisiana. I have three Families up here in Washington State, and everyone else I know.
Whoever has mental health issues, please leave in God's hands; he'll help you in this matter. He has helped me through lots and I never stay out of touch with the man upstairs. He is always there and that's how I stay strong.
I've always said, people in this world shouldn't fight one another they all should get along in this world. Life is very short to argue and fight. God see what's going on in this world. I know that for a fact.
