Joplin, Missouri - June 30, 2011

Today started out as any other day, early, filled with excitement about what the day might bring.  Today we were heading to Joplin, MO, to stop at Habitat for Humanity and lend our services to the people of Joplin.  On May 22, 2011, Joplin, as you know, sustained an unbelievably large tornado that stretched a mile wide, and left a path of destruction over 6 miles long.  I don’t think any of us were prepared for what we were to witness. 

By the time we left Kansas City, Mo around 7:30 am, the temperature was already 85 degrees and it was humid.  Arriving in Joplin at 11:30 am, the temperature had climbed to 95 degrees.  Lori, Jason & Del had been riding in the heat and sun for the last 4 hours.  Meanwhile, en route to Joplin, the generator in the RV chase vehicle stopped working, leaving Kelly & I without air-conditioning all morning. Tired, hot and hungry, we stopped in at Granny Shaffers Restaurant, to escape the heat. 

After lunch, we ventured back into the heat and sun to determine the cause of the generator failure. Del (our Hero) discovered the fan belt had failed. Lori set out to get a new belt, and Del and Mark worked tirelessly in the mid-day heat to fix it. Meanwhile, Kelly and I attended to Jason, who was fatigued and experiencing some signs of heat exhaustion.  Concerned about the exposure to the heat and sun, I phoned the local hospital to purchase some IV supplies.  The nice young lady on the phone was pleasant and helpful.  I explained to her we were on a cross country Tour passing through Joplin to help with Habitat for Humanity, but that we had some mechanical issues and some in our group were experiencing heat exhaustion.  She immediately said she could help, and gave me directions to the hospital.  I jumped on the back of Del’s bike and off we went. 

We set off East on 7^th St and turned right on Maiden Lane headed toward 32^nd St.  What we saw was nothing less than shocking. The three words Del used to convey the emptiness we felt at the sight of the devastation in front of us?  “Oh…My…God…” Homes were leveled to the ground, debris still littered the landscape, and whatever trees were left standing, had the bark ripped right off.  Mercy hospital, which was devastated by the tornado, stood to our left.  Its roof was partially torn off, smaller out-buildings were demolished, the windows were completely blown out, and twisted metal was left hanging inside. As we turned left on 32^nd St, Freeman West Hospital, less than ¼ mile away on the hill, was left untouched.  The lawn was well manicured and flowers bloomed at the front of the Main Entrance, a clear reminder that life goes on, and that beauty remains all around us.  The Staff at Freeman West was kind, cheerful, friendly.  I was awed by their willingness to help a stranger, even though they, clearly, still needed help to rebuild their homes and lives. 

We never made it to Habitat for Humanity, but maybe we weren’t supposed to.  Maybe today was about coming together as a Team, and witnessing the strength and kindness of the people of Joplin.

Today I was reminded of the resiliency of the human spirit, and that, when people work together, anything is possible.  I’m proud to be a part of the ACT Team.  From all of us on the Team, Jason, Lori, Del, Kelly, Mark & me, our hearts go out to the people of Joplin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and for the family, friends and pets you have lost.  Stay strong. Restore Joplin.

Dr. T