A Letter from Someone Who’s Never Experienced a Tornado
Every emergency brings its own set of challenges, but living with a chronic illness makes these challenges even more complicated. For days now, I’ve been thinking about what to do in emergencies. I don’t live in Florida, but my heart is with everyone there. I hope you’re safe and well.
I hope this picture gives you some peace.
In Turkey, the most common natural disaster is earthquakes; sadly, poorly constructed buildings often collapse. Of course, other events like fires and floods happen here too.
But I’ve never experienced a tornado. What I know about it comes from movies and, unfortunately, the news. I’m not sure if they’re a natural response from the Earth or simply a regular occurrence, but my heart is with those in the path of the storm. I hope you get through this soon.
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I imagine that none of you are browsing the internet right now asking, “What should I do with my chronic illness during a tornado?” But maybe you’ll come across this later, and it might help you feel more prepared.
Although I haven’t been through a tornado, I am familiar with facing extraordinary situations. So, I hope you’ll read these words with a broad perspective.
I’ll cover a few important points that anyone with a chronic illness—and really, everyone—should consider.
Managing Stress in Emergencies: Protecting Your Mental Health
I know what I’m about to share may seem basic, but it doesn’t make sense to give you complicated advice in times like this. Things like grocery shopping and empty store shelves can easily add to stress. Here are some simple techniques that may help:
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Mindfulness: If you’re with your loved ones, have access to clean water, or your pet is by your side, take a moment to recognize each of these things and use them to calm yourself. When I feel stressed, I touch my skin, arm, or wrist and remind myself, “I’m here.” First and foremost, you are with yourself. You are strong with yourself, and mindfully recognizing this can empower you.
Breathing Techniques: I won’t share anything too complicated, but here’s a technique that can help even during the most stressful times — “box breathing.” Imagine drawing a square in front of you. Start from one corner and inhale for a count of four. Hold your breath as you move to the next corner, counting to four. When you reach the corner, exhale for four counts, and then hold again for four counts. If this feels uncomfortable, try “triangle breathing” — inhale for four, hold for four, and exhale for four.
These techniques can calm you down because they focus your attention solely on your breathing and counting. You’re grounding yourself.
In times of disaster, MS symptoms may worsen, making stress management even more crucial.
Being Prepared in Emergencies
You’ve likely already stocked up and secured your home. Let’s focus on you: Have you taken the necessary precautions for your chronic illness?
Do you have enough medication? Have you stored any necessary medications with ice to prevent breaking the cold chain? Creating an emergency kit with ice packs or a portable mini cooler can be helpful.
Even if you don’t usually have trouble walking, do you have a cane? It could be helpful to have one handy in case you need extra support for long walks. Personally, as someone with MS, I find a cane useful when sudden fatigue hits.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help: The Importance of a Support Network in Emergencies
Even if you don’t normally communicate with your neighbors, asking for help and not holding back is essential in situations like this. Of course, we are all individuals with our own decisions and preferences. However, it’s necessary to set aside pride and ask for help in extraordinary situations.
In times of disaster, don’t be afraid to contact your neighbors or local relief organizations. Managing chronic conditions is already tricky, and extra support is essential in a crisis.
Nutrition and Hydration During a Adverse Situation
This situation brings many challenges, such as access to restrooms and hygiene. But whether or not you have a chronic illness, dehydration can make things much worse. It’s vital to prioritize staying hydrated.
As for nutrition, no matter what supplies you’ve gathered, I trust you’ll make smart choices and eat whatever the situation allows.
After the Disaster: Recovery
You’ve just experienced a tough time. Both physically and mentally, you are exhausted. In this recovery phase, it’s important to be kind to yourself.
I genuinely hope you’ll never need this advice and won’t have to face any extraordinary circumstances. But as a precaution, I wanted to share these thoughts just in case.
Thank you for taking the time to read and share this article.
