I know how hard it is to keep going on and on and on. It's four years now, and it's just so depressing. It's easy to keep fighting for a while, but so hard to have to keep fighting for so long.

My mom still doesn't have walls, but she's living in her house anyway while she tries to work through the bureaucracy of the Road Home.

It's really had to readjust to the new reality, and all too easy to finally lay down and give up.

I totally understand about the doctors and hospitals. I lost nearly every one of my doctors, the ones remaining are overbooked and overstressed, and waiting times are awful. My mother's doctor suggested she go straight to the emergency room with her recent infection because it takes weeks to get in to a doctor's unless you have a long relationship with them. And the hospital situation is plain scary. How many are left at all?

I'll ask my therapist next time I see him if he has any ideas for you. I know he keeps up to date on what programs are available.

Is your area dangerous now? I'd never ever thought of Chalmette as dangerous but if there are still lots of abandoned homes and few parish funds, I can see where it could become that way. I have a few acquaintances who have said it was getting better in the area, and some of those who moved elsewhere are missing the unique community of Chalmette and returning home. But I also see in the newspaper that they're trying to get neighbors to buy the abandoned lots in their area? I guess it's nice if you can afford it to have a double lot, but it does nothing for increasing the level of services. In some ways it must be like being pioneers in a newly established area. The parish seems to be very low on funds, and the homes per square mile are so low again.

(((Chalmette)))

I wish I had more practical information to give you, and I will see if I can find anything out.