Any Florida Gulf coast residents here - badly in need of a support group

[bunny planet]

about this destruction of the Gulf. I grew up in St. Petersburg and have a small home there that my family loves. I am watching helplessly from up north where I live now. I can't seem to find a thread here specifically for Gulf Coast people to exchange thoughts, practical advice, and commiserate with each other about this situation. I am falling deeper and deeper into depression about it, and not able to keep my mind on my work etc. I know talking to others, especially those right there now, would help me deal.

[Mojorabbit]

1. I am in Orlando

but both coasts are as dear to me as life itself. I find myself tearing up frequently and with every article I read a little bit of me just dies. I have taken the BP four hour online hazmat course and have registered as a licensed wildlife rehab volunteer but it does not seem as though they are letting people go look for oiled birds or other animals which makes me blazing angry.

[nashville_brook]

2. hey -- i'm in Central FL -- have family roots in Clearwater Beach, Brevard and Miami

I'm suffering from the same depression. not much is helping. totally can't concentrate at work. had to turn Rachel off last night b/c i couldn't stand the report on the LA marshlands.

maybe there will be some ideas posted. i've been looking on Facebook for a good local group -- but haven't found one yet.

[bunny planet]

3. Thanks so much guys

I'm also keeping my eyes posted for an online support / news source. If I find anything I will post it here.

I know right now I should be trying to make a claim over my ruined property too, my heart just isn't in it. What's the point - I want the Gulf back, the wildlife and people not to suffer, putting a nominal value on my devalued home seems so beside the point. I wish I'd said goodbye to the Gulf last time I was there, I just didn't realize it was the last time I'd see her.

Also very worried about my elderly mother who lives down there, quite near the water as well. If this keeps up there will be a diaspora of people having to leave for health reasons I would imagine.

[Frances]

4. My mother is 93 and in a nursing home in Gulf Breeze

(Pensacola). My brother has a condo on the barrier island (Santa Rosa) justa few feet away from the Gulf.

I haven't had the heart to call.

My brother and I disagreed about energy when we discussed it a year or so ago; he was all for drilling then, but this accident is so terrible that I feel nothing but sympathy for him and for the whole country and world now.

[FlaGatorJD]

5. I live in Naples

I am having the same feelings, and I believe it will help us all to discuss it.
I believe we're essentially showing the symptoms of PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder, or at least that's my thoughts.

I swam today in the Gulf here and it still is showing no signs of the oil. Some of our local authorities have said we should expect tar balls or similar soon, but don't know what that means. I've lived near the Gulf my entire life and only 4 blocks for the last 10 years. It is worse than heart breaking, because at least you know that will end.

Don't know of support groups yet, but I'll keep my eyes open. Take care of yourself, and try to do extra things to reduce stress. Quiet meditation, exercize, yoga, or gardening may help.

[HockeyMom]

9. I live in Naples too

I have for the past 3 years and been to the beach maybe 4 times. I am not a beach person. My daughter and son-in-law from up North are here to see us now. Nope, we are not going to the beach. As my son-in-law said, "What for"? "So we can dig for oil?"

I feel very bad for all the marine life dying. I don't feel sorry for people who cannot go to a beach. Find something else to do. There IS life beyond beaches.

[HopeFor2006]

6. Santa Rosa county democrats have a strong organization

I am visiting my parents in Navarre just outside of Pensacola. The locals are doing all they can to prevent the oil from coming up on the beach. Last night we walked out on the pier and could see the skimmers off in the distance.

[demwing]

7. I'm in Palm Harbor

though I'm not sure for how long - about to lose the condo I'm renting because of the time it takse to get unemployment $$$

[KeyWester]

8. I'm on Key West.

and still feel helpless.

I just hope the tourists start coming again. This island needs good news fast.

[HockeyMom]

10. Been there, done that

No desire to go again, as a Florida resident. My daughter and son-in-law are visiting right now from up North. They have never been to the Keys and said they have no desire to go.

Good luck.

[ChiciB1]

11. Thought I Would Add A Word Or Two... I Live A Little South Of Sarasota...

in a small community known as Nokomis. Bradenton, Sarasota, Osprey, Nokomis & Venice run north and south down 41 in a stream. Very RED county which makes it difficult to be politically active since the local Democratic Party is pretty lame IMO!

However, the Gulf is just up the road from my house and I really was devastated about the "gusher" and remain cynical to this day! While I have yet to see any tar balls, my son-in-law who works in the ER at Memorial Hospital has told me that people have been coming in with rashes and various other complaints after swimming in the Gulf! Mostly rashes that he says they assume come from the dispersants that are not visible!

I plan to get to the beach soon to see for myself since I can basically ride my bike there. My husband is a native and we've lived here for 25 years and I HAVE seen the beaches erode and get dirtier as time has passed. Siesta Key is touted to have the "whitest" beaches in the world, even though Pensacola also makes the claim. Still Siesta Key is regularly named either 1st or 2nd and the best beach to visit in the world. The sand is pearly white and I still wonder if it will remain that way.

Since once again we are hearing more "negative" news about BP, I personally feel that even we will be impacted in some way. My cynicism is showing I fear. It's said that it will bypass our area and go further down to the Keys and then back up the east coast because of the loop current.

What REALLY needs to be pointed out is that THE GULF OF MEXICO is home to all manner of life! From an ecological standpoint to breeding grounds for so many types of wildlife and fish! Even IF I don't see tar balls, I know in my heart that irreparable damage has already taken place and nothing can make it whole again! What IS NOT seen by the naked eye is what will make all too many people FORGET in a short while how much damage has already occurred! Dispersants sank to the bottom and only time will tell the REAL STORY! Just last week a shark beached itself up the road!

Not too many years ago, we went to the Keys every year during lobster season and I KNOW simply from diving what lives under the water. I've walked in the grass flats many times and just thinking of the make-up of the place is almost too much to bear! If you have been there you would understand what I'm saying! So many islands off the Keys are home to all types of living creatures who depend on reefs and all that go with it! I can't begin to give you a list of all that will be impacted!

Already I've seen reports stating how many other beaches are dirty and yet people still swim and dive without problems. BUT, messing up the GULF of Mexico is a SUPER BIG PROBLEM because of what it represents!

I'll quit for now, but I AM ONE extremely IRATE Floridian because I know too many will forget all to soon and too many won't UNDERSTAND!!

[Frances]

13. My brother went swimming in the Gulf

and now has pain in his ribs and a rash on his chest. He thinks he has shingles. His doctor isn't sure. I hope it isn't either shingles or Gulf dispersant syndrome (I made up that last but guess it fits).

[ChiciB1]

12. Here In One Of The More Affluent Areas, I See Many Businesses Suffering!

While I'm not affluent, many monied people have 2nd and 3rd homes around this area! Movies stars, writers, tennis players... on and on! But there are now MANY "for sale" signs on Casey Key where you will see opulent homes that cost BIG BUCKS!!

Casey Key is right on the Gulf!

[onethatcares]

14. I live in St. Pete,

go to the beaches on the weekends. If there's anything you'd like to discuss or know about that I can answer, feel free to p.m. me.