Five-thousand feet above a city besieged by water you feel very small. A devastated New Orleans smoked from chemical explosions and other rolling disasters. To say it seemed like a war zone is not quite complete. Our small jet banked slowly and I realized that as far as I could see I could not see the end of it.
During that low flyover, just five days after Katrina's landfall, I couldn't help but think of those fighting for their lives and their family's survival - and at the same time trying to manage a chronic disease or serious health condition. We had come on a mission, one still ongoing, to bring help and support to the hurting and desperate.
Even now so many weeks later I'm sure you remember the images we all saw on the news. The people on one rooftop who had spray painted "Diabetic! Need Help" to signal rescuers. In another, a woman wandered flooded New Orleans streets crying out for insulin. Then, there was the woman who went into diabetic coma-like state live on camera, during an interview.
Four days after the crisis began, I found myself on a plane with Representative Curt Weldon (PA) headed for "Katrina Ground Zero." My intent, to find distribution details for diabetes supplies and support services. In those few short hours since the disaster began, diabetes companies, professionals, and patients alike bound together to help those in need. At that time, over $3 million of supplies and resources had been donated and were awaiting instructions for delivery. Stunning compassion.
Although the mission seems simple. It proved to be rather daunting. The red tape, the beauracracy, the chaotic nature of disaster management.
After eight hours of meetings I had a temporary distribution location. Twenty-four hours later, a refrigerated warehouse had been identified and traveling medical centers created.
However, it all got me thinking - how can we help those affected by diabetes prepare for disasters? What do people with diabetes need to do to remain safe in an emergency?
As I traveled with Rep. Weldon, who also has diabetes, we discussed these issues.
One potential solution -- legislation. An effort to make sure insurance companies allow patients to always have an adequate supply of medications in case of an emergency. Along with that, a standardized notification system is needed so that patients are aware of when it is time to reorder supplies so that buffer supply is not depleted.
Now this solution is not immediate, so in the meantime, we need to prepare by creating our own diabetes emergency kits. Extra batteries for meters and pumps, extra test strips, glucose tablets, non-perishable food, oral medications, syringes and at least 1 bottle of insulin should always be readily available. I have packaged my kit and feel a little more prepared. In the midst of the physical and emotional chaos of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina, pre-planning is essential. It is that planning that will help create at least a little peace of mind amidst disaster.
