Seeking Past Hurricane Katrina and Rita Volunteers

Are You or Someone You Know a Person with a Disability Who Volunteered to Help People Hurt or Stranded by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita?    

Many people living with disabilities or special needs responded to the distress of others after the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and joined the rescue effort. 
Their stories about volunteering to help have not been told.

People with disabilities or special needs who are willing to share their stories of helping after the hurricanes are being sought by nursing faculty members from the
University of Tennessee-Knoxville & Arkansas State University.

These professors will use the information gathered to help educate health professionals and the general public about disability and the disaster experience.           

Who can help? 

• Any adult, adolescent or child (age 7 or above) with a disability of any type, a disabling medical condition or special needs, who responded as a volunteer to help survivors of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita
• A family member, friend or companion who traveled with that person as part of a rescue/response team (either faith-based or not)
• Participated in working at a shelter; helped with home repair, painting, clean-up, food distribution, or other volunteer work; was part of the recovery effort
• Understands English; capable of communicating their story in some way

• No travel is required. The UT professor will travel to the volunteer, regardless of where that person lives in the USA.
• The volunteer must be willing and able to participate in an interview
• The interview will last as long as it takes for the volunteer to share their story.  This usually is about 60 to 90 minutes, but can be longer or shorter as needed. 
• The person will tell his/her story, whatever they want to share.  Interviews are private and confidential.