Posted On: June 11, 2005, 11:09 am CDT

Posted By: Devastated and Homeless

To all of those people (including the agents and adjusters) who believe we are wrong in our claims and demand for payment, please tell me this...

What would your family say if you told them that you did all the right things to prepare in the event of a natural disaster, but now the "reputable" companies and government agencies who promised to bring you back to your "pre-flood condition" and previous standard of living are now the same ones giving you pennies on the dollars for necessary repairs and asserting they are only required to provide "a little assistance."

What would your family say if you told them they must live in 275 square feet of space for the next two or more years? Along with this, they can only shower while turning the water on and off, because the hot water will not last for one, much less four showers, for the family! Then, when the winter comes, ice forms on the INSIDE of your trailer, mold is an everyday occurrence, and water and sewer pipes freeze, leaving you to live in disgusting conditions.

All the while, your beautiful home sits just a few feet away, left without heat or air conditioning, or even electricity in many cases. Your children cannot play, have friends over, celebrate birthdays, holidays or family celebrations, as there is no room. Your children are ridiculed at school and unable to focus on their studies. Illness is a part of your everyday life. You, your children and even your pets are destroyed, homeless, depressed and lost.

Tell me then, how you can face that same family, your neighbors and coworkers without disgrace and upset. Tell me then that you are not entitled to the coverage you have continued paying on for nearly twenty years. Tell me then that the loss of nearly two years of your lives is not worth anything.

If you feel you can still look me in the eye and tell me this, then please do so. I personally invite you to bring your family to live with mine in these conditions and then let's see if you can possibly say this to me, as well as to your own children.