Every time I start feeling sorry for myself, something happens to remind me that I have nothing to complain about. Katrina was a good example, though too big to comprehend. It's like trying to hold the concept of a million
in my mind. I can't imagine New Orleans being wiped out.
Often the little stories make more impact. Kevin Barbieux, a recently-homeless man, just lost his wallet containing a whole month's income and now faces the idea of being homeless again. What struck me was not just his tragedy but the optimism with which he accepts his fate:
As dire as my situation is, I am not so upset about it anymore. I'd been away from the streets for 6 months and had lost contact with friends I had there. And, it looks like the situation is getting worse for the homeless in the city—something that I was not aware of, since I'd been away for so long.
I have always fought for the rights of homeless people—for my own rights as a homeless person, and it looks like there is a lot to get involved with now, in that regard. Perhaps it is better that I get back to the streets and continue that work.
I will never cease to be amazed by the way that people are able to stand back up again after they are knocked down.
Kevin also makes a good point about Katrina that I haven't seen anywhere else: many Katrina victims may become chronically homeless. It's so obvious when he says it. I don't think there's going to be enough help, fast enough, long enough for even a small fraction of New Orleans' former citizens to receive the help they need.
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