To the editor:
As a resident of Thunder Bay who has been affected by the flood in many ways, I have to agree that the strong outpouring of generosity from the vast majority of our community has been not only a source of strength for those of us who have had our homes destroyed in 2012, but quite humbling as well.
For those of us who are still rebuilding our homes and lives, one year later, it truly has been a year of devastation, frustration, and frankly, a hellish nightmare at times.
My husband, our dog and I lived in a hotel for almost three months. Our daughter had to stay with a friend, and most heartbreaking of all, our cats had to stay at the Humane Society for six months in a tiny room. They were well taken care of, however, they are not the same since they have been back home. I have had medical problems since being exposed to the raw sewage that crept into our home that fateful morning, and am now seeing a specialist.
For the few who write letters to the editor stating that everyone is just "collecting money", or whatever derogatory words that these few choose to throw at us, whether they are insured or not, just thank your lucky stars that this only happened to certain areas in our community, otherwise like me, you would be writing a different type of letter to the editor. Please, have some empathy and don't kick those who are down.
Shelley Cooke,
Thunder Bay
