(Captioned videos below)
I have a dear friend who goes by the screen name of Fairlady. She v/blogs over at Signing World. She is one of the finest, fair-weathered friends one could have. A sweet, sensitive soul, she is the heart of our online chat community at Yahoo Live. We lovingly call her “The Queen.”
She and her family have just evacuated their home to get out of the path of the potentially destructive hurricane Gustav.
While Fairlady may be a bit more prepared this time, having gone through this before with Katrina and other hurricanes, it is never easy. Finding the right evacuation location for an entire family is not only logistically challenging, but emotionally difficult as well, as one doesn’t want to be a burden to others. Large family meetings with extended relatives may take place beforehand to insure the safety and whereabouts of all.
As a single, Deaf mom, some of the things Fairlady must shoulder alone is packing for her family, reassuring confused children and anxious animals, charging up cellphone and pager batteries well in advance, making sure the gas tank is full and extra gas is attainable in some way or another when the gas stations all close to batten down the hatches, and making sure she has money from the bank if the ATM machines close down due to water damage. This list goes on and on…. My heart goes out to Fairlady and those individuals and families who also must live like this.
I know you will join me in prayers for Fairlady and her family and help me keep watch on the news for the safety and the well-being of all. As a Deaf Community, let us be sure to offer support to our Deaf and hard of hearing friends who may struggle to keep in the know if technology and access fail. As a country, let us be quick to respond in kind with donations or volunteer support as needed. As humans, let us open our hearts to one another and be sensitive to the very personal experiences that need to be, or not be shared.
Some people need to talk about their challenges, struggles, hardships or successes, while others would like to keep things personal and not talk about it at all. Being sensitive means we are there to listen if they want to share and not judging them for their decisions or telling them what they should do or should have done differently. We need to take care not to probe or ask too many questions that some would prefer not to talk about. Checking in with someone first about whether or not they want to share will make a world of difference. Respect goes a long way in maintaining friendships.
As Deaf people, we like to stay informed. Asking questions and seeking clarification is second nature to us. It’s part of our linguistic culture. Yet, too many people asking the same questions of the same person for too many days can really wear on someone. Again, it takes being sensitive to this communication and support dynamic. We need to keep this in mind when Fairlady returns.
Fairlady honored and flattered me earlier this year by making a 4 part vlog interview series with me. In case you missed this series, I’ve gathered her videos all in one place to make viewing easier. One thing I said in response to one of the questions about my interest in politics has evolved since then. While my answer earlier was that I hated politics and did not even follow who was running for office, that has since changed. As the Presidential Vote draws near, I have been magnetically drawn to the screen like many folks these days who are watching history unfold.
I was particularly drawn to the words of Obama in his Presidential nomination acceptance speech last week, as he mentioned that change needed to happen relating to how the government responded to victims of such tragedies like Hurricane Katrina. It made me think of Fairlady. It also caused me to register to vote!
We can change! Yes, we can!
Fairlady Interviews LaRonda:
Part 1 (5:27 mins)
Part 2 (6:09 mins)
Part 3 (6:35 mins)
Part 4 (7:12 Mins.)
My name is LaRonda Zupp.
I am Deaf. Welcome to
"The Ear of My Heart."
Hello….
I’ve been in touch with FairLady via pager since this morning. She already passed through New Orleans. Now she’s on I-10 toward east on way to Brandon, Mississippi to stay with her cousin. Her aunt is following her to that same direction while her mom and sisters are in other direction toward a different town to stay with other relatives. Her boys are fine. Her cats are starting to calm down after being freaked out in the car, LOL. Poor cats.
Also I’m updating my Facebook status about FairLady’s whereabouts, etc. so you don’t have to bombard her with AIM, emails, etc. since she needs to concentrate on getting to MS ASAP.
Thanks, Misha
Left by Misha on August 31st, 2008
Thank you so much for keep everybody updated.. Now that I have arrived safely at MS. Right now I’m staying at my uncle’s house. (mom’s brother). Right now my mind is all scattered to different direction..
This blog made me so teary eye and feel so loved by yall who gives me loving supports and kind words. It really does help me to hang on bit more longer without getting all panic mode.. End up feeling alone with just my family.. I feel most of you in spirit right there with me.. HUGS!!
Left by Fairlady on August 31st, 2008
Best wishes to FairLady, her family and all of those who had to evacuate for safety. May God keep them all safe and protect them all from the wrath of the hurricane. I’m praying for a miracle that the hurricane does not land or cause death, devastation and destruction as Katrina and others did.
To the rest of you, have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day tomorrow.
Left by Learning ASL on August 31st, 2008
I’ve been thinking of people living in N.O., too. A friend who stayed here overnight on way to her family during Katrina devastation N.O. told me she left N.O. last night and will be going to North MS.
Having gone through Hurricane Camille and others, I know what it is like. My thoughts and prayers are with the evacuatees.
Left by Mishkazena on August 31st, 2008
Our prayer for Fairlady’s relative and seem aware of the signal is serious coming. Glad they already prepared for hurricane warning.
I read the CNN update and say Fairlady’s hometown is kind of ghost -town. My full understand that it might be complications if anyone wont leave their hometown. It might be very hard. Worth to leave.
Hope it’s turn better for her family safety trip.
Left by Deaf Pixie on August 31st, 2008
I can NOT imagine what it must be like having to go through that! I will continue to keep Fairlady, her family & their pets in my thoughts & prayers. I feel so sorry for all the pets that freak out and have no idea what’s going on. I hope Gustav will go down lower than category 3. {{{Fairlady}}}
Left by DeafOptimist on August 31st, 2008
Blessings to all those who have to evacuate from the NO area! Horrible Storm! I have relatives there too and am so glad they are finally safe and sound up north.
Fairlady, you are so bright and beautiful! Be well and dry!
Left by isabella on August 31st, 2008
Hi LARondaZ and Fairlady,
I am glad Fairlady and her family made it safety to other place that she will not be affected by the storm. I will keep pray for her and also LaRonda, Glad to see you again few days ago and thanks for small gifts. I showed my parents and they said how cool:) Also Thanks for a Chatroom. I had not response you back as I fell sleep. HA Have a safe Labor Day Weekend:)
Left by Rick M. ( Cal) on August 31st, 2008
I have been thinking of Fairlady in my sleep hoping she is going to be safe and sound in mississippi. I have spoken to her number of times on AIM and she is coping well. All i hope for is her home is not badly affected by the hurricane. My heart goes out to her and her 2 boys including the cats which she knows i always tease her to have it for dinner * i know im mean* but in a funny way
Fair if you see this you know im always in your heart and think of you everyday for your safety.
(((hugs))
Peta
aka Tassielady (yeah People Eats Tasty Animals) hehe
mwah
Left by Tassielady on August 31st, 2008
Iv’e been in close contact with Fairlady by checking my Facebook profile and was glad that she and her family arrived safety at her uncle’s place. Also glad that she took her cats with her. We pray that the hurricane be stopped right away.
Appreciate your thoughtfulness of her.
Left by Lisa C. on September 1st, 2008
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Left by deafwomynpride on September 1st, 2008
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Left by deafwomynpride on September 1st, 2008
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Left by LaRonda on September 1st, 2008
I sincerely hope that everything goes well for Fairlady and all other evacuees. Dealing with a hurricane is scary.
But I have to ask if you really meant to call her a fair-weathered friend. It doesn’t go with everything else you said, and it’s quite insulting.
Left by anony on September 1st, 2008
Ooops! I misunderstood the meaning of “fair-weathered” friend. Gulp! I wil change the title to something more appropriate. I thought fair-weathered friend meant a friend in all kinds of weather, but duh! It means a friend only when things are going good. That’s not what I meant. Ooops! I will change the title. Thanks. LZ
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Left by LaRonda on September 1st, 2008
Apparently she’s in a safe area now (thx for FB update, I’m not into this FB thing), emailed her today to give moral support. Hope others made it out as well in case. Thanks for posting.
Left by drmzz on September 1st, 2008
Hugs to Fairlady and all of the people in the south.
Left by Karen Putz / DeafMom on September 2nd, 2008
Hey Girl,
I’ve been keeping you and your family in my prayers and thoughts as I’ve been watching the news almost 24 hours and it’s so unbelievable I cannot fathom it what you all been going through. I’m just thankful that you got out in time and be with your other family members. Please take your time getting back home.
Keep your spirits up and I will keep you and family safely in my prayers..
Hang in there girl… huggs
Susan xo
Left by Susan on September 2nd, 2008