Storms Did Not Batter Morale
of ALSA Louisiana Chapter
The ALSA Louisiana Chapter, impacted by two hurricanes that hit the area in September and October, is back on its feet, providing a full range of services of programs to people with ALS.


“The hurricanes created a great challenge for us in increasing awareness for what ALS is,” said ALSA Louisiana Chapter Executive Director Kelly Viator, who estimated that 25 people with ALS were directly affected by the storm in Louisiana and that 15 of them live in New Orleans. “We never lost sight of the fact that even though the hurricanes were terrible that we have ALS patients who need our help. The hurricanes did not take the disease away; it only created more stress for people who are already suffering.”
Weeks after hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc along the Gulf Coast, the ALSA Louisiana Chapter was still trying to determine how its patients weathered Mother Nature’s fury.

In the storms’ aftermath, the chapter has helped families find housing, is working with FEMA on behalf of patients, and is contacting neurologists to let them know about the chapter’s services.

Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, the chapter began contacting ALS patients in the region to determine if there was anything they needed. The National Office of The ALS Association and several ALSA network chapters offered to help the chapter as well.

The National Office of ALSA distributed a press release and a radio public service announcement to media in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama asking editors to publicize the phone number of the Louisiana chapter. In addition, the National Office posted disaster relief guidelines on its website, including a crisis hotline. Neighboring chapters offered to donate equipment and made cash donations. These funds helped pay for temporary housing for patients and their families that had relocated out of state.

Before Hurricane Katrina hit, Viator invited members of the chapter’s support group, originally scheduled to attend a meeting in New Orleans that was cancelled due to the approaching storm, to participate in a conference call instead. Viator gave out the chapter’s phone number and asked people with ALS and their families to call the chapter after relocating. Even during the height of the storms, the chapter’s office telephone worked. She also has communicated with the local ALS community via e-mail before both storms hit.

The hurricanes did not stop the chapter from holding its first Walk to D’Feet ALS®; however, the location of the event was moved due to the increased workload of the local police department and its unavailability to assist the chapter in road closures.

In September, Viator attended summit meetings sponsored by the Louisiana Association of Non Profit Organizations (LANO), which is promoting a “give local” campaign.

“As you can imagine there are many non profits contemplating whether to keep their doors open at this point,” said Viator. “The focus is we were here before the storms and want to be here after the storms to continue doing the great work that we do.”