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November 11, 2005
KATRINA FAMILY UPDATE Hurricane evacuees adjust to a new life in PahrumpPARKERS IN LOVE WITH VALLEY, THANKFUL FOR WARM WELCOME EXTENDED BY COMMUNITY
By GINA B. GOOD
The Parkers started their life anew in Pahrump in early September, thanks to airfare provided by Ramona's uncle, Forest Johnson, who moved to the valley some 10 years ago. The Pahrump Valley Times on Sept. 9 published a front-page story on the family's horrific weeklong ordeal following Katrina. In fact, Ramona said her two sons - Earl, a senior in the band at Pahrump Valley High School and Cleveland, a seventh grader at Rosemary Clark Middle School - enjoy a freedom in Pahrump they did not have in New Orleans. "Here, my sons are free," she said. "In New Orleans, you can't let your kids play on the street. It's not safe. They could get snatched up in no time." Cleveland, who goes by "Clee" at school, especially likes his earth science class. "You can do it naturally. It's not something you can just see in a book," he told his mother. "He likes nature," Ramona said. "That's what it's all about for him." According to Ramona, both boys have made a lot of friends. "Our whole family has found a lovely second family in Pahrump," said Ramona. Ida Mae, the boys' grandmother, agrees - but at 82 years old she's been slower to adjust to the extreme changes in her life. Admittedly, some differences are small. For instance, Ida Mae had never before seen turnip and mustard greens sold in a bag. She's used to selecting them by hand. And while the family matriarch is enthusiastic about the lack of sticky humidity in Pahrump, she laments the lack of streetlights. "It's too dark here at night. I can't see anything." However, Ida Mae is very impressed by the medical care she's received. She is especially happy about her new teeth, which were made for her free of charge by Pahrump Family Dental on Calvada Boulevard. "I lost my glasses, my medicines and my teeth (on the rooftop) in New Orleans," she said. Eye exams and glasses were provided for the family by Dr. George Leaks and Clear Vision Eye Center, both located on Calvada. "We have so many people to thank," said Ramona. From the family's first day in Pahrump, willing hands reached out. "Doug's warmth," she said, referring to Doug McMurdo, managing editor of the PVT. "He started things off. He took the initiative to take us to Wal-Mart to get medicine for my mom," Ramona continued. "And because of Doug, we were able to buy the personal items we needed." The Parker's home also was a goodwill effort by the community. The home's owner, Karen Nelson, gave the Parkers two months rent free and coordinated the effort to stock the home with everything the family of four would need - from pots and pans to food. Individuals and businesses donated furnishings for every room of the house. Floyd's Ace Hardware gave the family a freezer and Wal-Mart donated $1,000 in gift cards to the Parkers. "Karen and her daughter Kelly are such sweethearts. They are my adopted family, Lord Jesus," Ramona said of the woman whose home the Parker's live in. "She has become a very close friend to my whole family," Ramona emphasized. "So has Wanda Allen. I call her 'Mother'." While the family was staying with Ramona's uncle, people lined up at the door to bring food. "I don't even know the words to use to thank the people of Pahrump. When we got here, we had nothing," recalled Ramona, looking around her fully furnished home. Agencies located at Job Connect are still helping the family with federal paperwork. "Everybody is willing to reach out," said Ramona. "Mike from Calvary Chapel lent me a van for a week while people from Church of the Harvest fixed our car. There is a lot of good in Pahrump," Ramona said. Ramona was managing the McDonald's franchise on Highway 160, but is now on a leave of absence to take care of her and Ida Mae's ongoing medical concerns. Ramona is also spending time dealing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The family recently learned that FEMA's benefits will not be extended to them should they remain in Pahrump. "It's sad," Ramona said. We love it here but FEMA would give us a house for 18 months and they will pay all the utilities." Ramona also said the agency is giving evacuees $3,000 per month for 12 months. "I need to work out what to do," the woman said. "I need to do what's best for my family. I need to be well enough to work and start saving money." Ramona may have to go back to New Orleans - at least long enough to "get things straight." "The people of Pahrump have big hearts," said Ramona. "I can't say thank you enough." |
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