Messages forthcoming

First Reflections (Monday, September 19, 2005):

This is my third day with the Red Cross. I am in Woodville, MS at the staff shelter. Today we are setting up a service center in Centreville, MS that will open tomorrow to provide services to clients. Already, several people have come to this shelter looking for help. It's a very strange arrangement. I am a part of mental health services. Our job is to "provide a non-anxious presence." So far, however, I have not done much of anything, except meet people from all over the country who are here to help. This is a very large operation; so, organization takes quite a bit of time, which leaves some of us doing a lot of waiting. We drove seven hours in a 60 + person caravan down here. The caravan consisted of cars, vans, suvs, IT trucks, and Budget rental trucks. With so much going on here, it's really hard to email. Last night, I slept in a large room on very nice cots (in my opinion) with about 60 others. I have to go now, but I hope to be able to write again soon.

click here to view an excerpt from Dr. Grimmett's journal written after he returned home from his work with Katrina survivors.

click here to listen to Dr. Grimmett read the excerpt from his journal.

More to follow: