Fair tomorrow!

Hi y'all, As this is my first post it is overdue.

To summarize the most important part of this experience for me I want to share about my experiences with the residents. It has been eye-opening, humbling and very interesting. I am amazed everyday with the resiliency, individual and family strength and the barriers that they have already overcome and barriers that they still face. I don't think that I could have ever really understood how much they still struggle here without being here myself. It seems that even the best off here have everyday challenges in such basic needs like completing the home and addressing financial and health needs in a rural area without local resources. Many residents have been very open with their stories and current situations and I am excited to develop the information we have found to start making impactful interventions for the community's health.
Other than the clinical work, the trip has been very enriching with southern cultural adventures and connecting with the faculty and students that are all here working together. Also, I missed the begining of the congressman's visit yesterday because I was with a very impressive resident telling me and my sp2 partner about surviving the storm, all of his heavy responsibilities and the generous help he has recieved from friends while rebuilding. After speaking with this man he gave us a ride back to the center to catch most of Taylor's talk. I was in agreement with much of what he said about the national need to make home owners insurance afforable and reliable and hope that the message gets through on the federal level. It was enlightening to hear the governmental side of Katrina relief since all I had heard until that point was the general frusteration and dissatisfaction from the residents. From the congressman's report I feel more positive about their efforts but still recongize the heavy needs of the community that are unmet.
That is all for now, I am excited for the health fair tomorrow and I hope we get the chance to help everyone who comes!

-Anne-Marie nursing student