A group from our church went to Ocean Springs, Mississippi (about 11 miles east of Biloxi) to help with whatever we could do for the local citizens.

After a full day of travel, we arrived at the First Presbyterian Church which had been set up (for some time, I might add) to house volunteers. The men and women had separate areas for sleep, but shared the eating and kitchen area. The volunteers brought cots, tools and work clothes. Our church, Ardmore Moravian, had provided some funds from its mission fund to pay for fuel and food.

There were volunteers there from North Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado and one of our sister churches, Trinity Moravian.

After a night sleeping on cots or air mattresses, we had a prayer meeting before setting out to work. Some of the group was to put a roof on a house (a family with Philippine ties) and some were working on the Manse of the church

Some of us (me included) were to help clean up the remains of the house of a nearby resident. When we arrived, we found a small FEMA trailer with a ramp up to the front door. It was next to the remains of her home. We knocked and were invited to come in. The lady, Claire Brou, a 15 year military veteran was paralyzed on the right side and in a motorized wheel chair. She was very thankful that we were there to help and did not lament her situation, just glad someone was there to help.

One cannot imagine the anguish of someone in such a dire situation. She had insurance on her home in the amount of $300,000, but since the wind had blown off her roof and water had demolished the rest, she received only $20,000. She was still waiting for help to have her home rebuilt.

The title implies going from being paralyzed to losing one's home and most all of the contents.

I can only thank God for the opportunity to see first hand the devastation brought about by Katrina. We see all the news about New Orleans but it never seems to focus on one person.

I went back later to talk with Claire. She was very open about her situation and even let me pet her cat named Big Foot. There currently were no specific regulations about rebuilding.

She had served in the Navy in Norfolk, Washington, Iceland as a Lieutenant and eventually went into the Air Force as a Captain. During her time in service she was in the DOD (Department of Defense).

Should you want to write, her address is:

Ms. Claire E. Brou

313 Jackson Avenue

Ocean Springs, MS 39564.

Please keep her and those like her in your prayers and thoughts.