Cardozo Gulf Coast Volunteers

On Wednesday we met a woman named Lauren in Gulfport. She is tall and very thin, blonde with naturally tanned skin. The home she had been renting was flooded during the storm; in response FEMA gave her a little bit of money and a trailer. Lauren, along with her husband and two children moved into the trailer while they waited to see if they could salvage their home. Then, Lauren became sick and when she finally made it to the hospital, the doctors discovered that she had a staphylococcus infection that had traveled up to her brain. She was kept in the hospital for some time and was fired because for missing work. Doctors told her that when she came in she was dangerously close to death. This is when Lauren tells us that she is a two-time cancer survivor. She stops, looks up, and says, "Two times, I survived something that people don't survive even once, two times. How do I look my kids in the eye and tell them I am going to die from FEMA's mold?"

Her husband has since taken a job driving a truck for Lowes, and is gone for long stretches of time. Lauren has begun working as a construction worker, she looks at us to see if we understand how ridiculous this is. She reiterates, "a construction worker! I'm a girly girl!" FEMA has not reimbursed her for her hospital bills and did not assist her in any other ways. She is currently working construction for a condo that was bought by a "head honcho" at FEMA, taking advantage of the low cost of the land in Mississippi. Again, she stops to make sure we see the irony here.

Finally, Lauren tells us about a robbery attempt the previous night. At around 2:30 police were called to her home because burglars had broken in. Lauren tells us, "I know it wasn't anyone from this neighborhood, they all know I have rifle." She smiles at us in a sad, amused way, "and they know, I know how to use it." Then her smile broadens, "That's why around here, they call me, Daisy Mae."

Contributed by Lena