As always, you bring enlightenment to a heavy subject. My heart is heavy for Appalachia; praying for your wife's recovery as well. (Pancreatitis is miserable and difficult to recover from.) Reagedinf the logistics nightmare, I had the very same thoughts: so many people will have unthinkable consequences from all of this devastation. I have long maintained that the healthcare system was far too dependent on technology; the idea of "portable" records is fine, as long as the power grid holds up. Not sustainable at all. And being dependent on computers and digital devices for payment is useless when there's no power to be had, as you noted.
My husband was an Eagle Scout and an avid camper for years. He happens to be a "prepper". And the more we hear and see of disasters occurring, the more we realize we had best be as prepared for the long haul as possible.
Thank you Shauna. You're correct, of course. Our dependence on 'the system' and its technology leaves us all very vulnerable. I have friends struggling to provide care when the EMR is down and it's terrible. Good for you that your husband is thinking ahead! I have decided it's time to pay for a generator. Of course, I say that every time we lose power then I put it off. Hopefully I'll get it done this time! Thanks so much for your kindness and prayers.
You are most welcome! (Having a hectic schedule doesn't help with trying to remember stuff like that!) Hubby did buy a generator a couple years ago--never know in the winter when power may go out.
Adele, thank you! I think that Samaritans Purse is one of the very best; they're actually located in Boone, NC. They do relief all over the world. My wife has worked with them in the past and was very impressed.
I think that they run a very lean operation and do great work (they also have combat field hospitals in dangerous places around the world). If one is not inclined to donate to a theistic group, perhaps the Red Cross would seem a good option. No doubt there are many regional groups that need donations; I just don't know what they are. Much appreciated!
Steve is a great man and I'm privileged to know him. Greenville got hit pretty hard; my daughter lives there and her apartment still lacks power. My wife told me that I-26 from Asheville to Johnson City will be closed until March, 2025.
I work in WV now and the degree of medical complexity is truly staggering. Thanks for the comment! Hope you and yours are safe.
Thank you Edwin, for taking the time to write so eloquently. Our hearts are heavy contemplating the hurting folk you know whose suffering is made worse by this unprecedented disaster. Preparedness: when my husband had a medical emergency, it was Amish/farmer advice that helped him recover. We can rely on the high tech stuff when it is available, but we need our back up plan (Amish medicine) as well. Like growing comfrey in the back yard.....And friends need to network with friends; we have to take care of each other.
Absolutely. The first order of business is taking care of your own. EMS is stretched thin already and we saw with great clarity, during COVID, that they just can't be everywhere. It's rather like the old joke about the police. "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away." It isn't their fault; they just can't be everywhere at once. Ditto for all first responders. Great insights about Amish/farmer advice! Stay safe, and thank you so much for the comment.
You laid it all out there in such a relatable manner. Definitely something to marinate on AND pray about. The after effects are so much bigger than the storm.
As always, you bring enlightenment to a heavy subject. My heart is heavy for Appalachia; praying for your wife's recovery as well. (Pancreatitis is miserable and difficult to recover from.) Reagedinf the logistics nightmare, I had the very same thoughts: so many people will have unthinkable consequences from all of this devastation. I have long maintained that the healthcare system was far too dependent on technology; the idea of "portable" records is fine, as long as the power grid holds up. Not sustainable at all. And being dependent on computers and digital devices for payment is useless when there's no power to be had, as you noted.
My husband was an Eagle Scout and an avid camper for years. He happens to be a "prepper". And the more we hear and see of disasters occurring, the more we realize we had best be as prepared for the long haul as possible.
Thank you Shauna. You're correct, of course. Our dependence on 'the system' and its technology leaves us all very vulnerable. I have friends struggling to provide care when the EMR is down and it's terrible. Good for you that your husband is thinking ahead! I have decided it's time to pay for a generator. Of course, I say that every time we lose power then I put it off. Hopefully I'll get it done this time! Thanks so much for your kindness and prayers.
You are most welcome! (Having a hectic schedule doesn't help with trying to remember stuff like that!) Hubby did buy a generator a couple years ago--never know in the winter when power may go out.
New Yorker here, do you have any organizations that you would especially recommend donating to?
Adele, thank you! I think that Samaritans Purse is one of the very best; they're actually located in Boone, NC. They do relief all over the world. My wife has worked with them in the past and was very impressed.
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/?msclkid=f2ca35bfc33f1242557f52bfd6402fd8
Otherwise I would suggest the Red Cross:
https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html/?cid=fy25hurhelene&med=cpc&source=google&scode=RSG00000E017&msclkid=0d8061e4f46a16dd9bf806e4e1bfe95c&gclsrc=ds
Hi Edwin! To whom should we donate? I have a few Katrina survivors who would love to contribute.
Thanks for asking! My wife has done work with Samaritan's Purse. They're located in Boone, NC, in the heart of Appalachia and know how to navigate the area. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/?msclkid=050cccaafeb11fbba72aaa540071b31d
I think that they run a very lean operation and do great work (they also have combat field hospitals in dangerous places around the world). If one is not inclined to donate to a theistic group, perhaps the Red Cross would seem a good option. No doubt there are many regional groups that need donations; I just don't know what they are. Much appreciated!
My prayers go out to every one.
Thank you. Those prayers are appreciate. And I believe they are consequential.
Steve Pack, I know that guy!
Spent more than a few days in a squad with him.
Excellent paramedic and RN
Had family in your neck of the woods as well doc. Greenville SC.
And you hit it square about mountain folk being medical train wrecks!
We travel to east TN (Johnson City), Asheville, and the surrounding area. Really hope they can recover from all this.
Steve is a great man and I'm privileged to know him. Greenville got hit pretty hard; my daughter lives there and her apartment still lacks power. My wife told me that I-26 from Asheville to Johnson City will be closed until March, 2025.
I work in WV now and the degree of medical complexity is truly staggering. Thanks for the comment! Hope you and yours are safe.
Thank you Edwin, for taking the time to write so eloquently. Our hearts are heavy contemplating the hurting folk you know whose suffering is made worse by this unprecedented disaster. Preparedness: when my husband had a medical emergency, it was Amish/farmer advice that helped him recover. We can rely on the high tech stuff when it is available, but we need our back up plan (Amish medicine) as well. Like growing comfrey in the back yard.....And friends need to network with friends; we have to take care of each other.
Absolutely. The first order of business is taking care of your own. EMS is stretched thin already and we saw with great clarity, during COVID, that they just can't be everywhere. It's rather like the old joke about the police. "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away." It isn't their fault; they just can't be everywhere at once. Ditto for all first responders. Great insights about Amish/farmer advice! Stay safe, and thank you so much for the comment.
You laid it all out there in such a relatable manner. Definitely something to marinate on AND pray about. The after effects are so much bigger than the storm.
They are indeed. Thank you for your friendship down the years!