Witness To Disaster

PREFACE: The Gulf Coast hurricanes in fall 2005 stand as unprecedenteddisasters in American life. Not only were the storms a bodyblow to the health of millions living in the affected areas,they effectively tore the roof off the health care systems ofsouthern Louisiana and Mississippi, providing frequently unflatteringviews of local medical care. Horrible as they were, the stormsbrought out the best in many people—generosity, stoicism,heroism. In the health sector, many were called on to respondas patients, as providers, and as public officials. From elsewherein the country, many health professionals volunteered theirassistance, coming to the area to help in the wake of the storms.Most of these experiences made no headlines, but we thoughtthat Narrative Matters might offer an opportunity for some ofthese people to tell their stories. Patients, local clinicians,state officials, and volunteers from around the country respondedto our call for submissions. The following commentaries in thisspecial edition of Narrative Matters represent the most compellingof these writings. In an effort to include as many voices aspossible, we are publishing some essays in full and excerptingothers. Taken as a whole, these thoughtful, sometimes troubling,always stirring commentaries fulfill an important human function.They serve as witness to the Gulf events—as witness tothe disaster.

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