"The Norwegian energy company Equinor said an oil storage terminal on the island of Grand Bahama had been damaged."
And this is why these "3rd world" countries will remain as such. Their natural resources are not being used to build their economy or infrastructure and the natives are basically sitting ducks when disasters like this occur. Equinor should foot the bill for rebuilding this nation.
3
Before donating to disaster relief for the victims of Hurricane Dorian, be sure to check out these web sites:
https://www.charitywatch.org/top-rated-charities
Top Rated Charities
CharityWatch.org
Groups included on the CharityWatch Top-Rated list generally spend 75% or more of their budgets on programs, spend $25 or less to raise $100 in public support, do not hold excessive assets in reserve, have met CharityWatch's governance benchmarks, and receive "open-book" status for disclosure of basic financial information and documents to CharityWatch. Please see the Criteria section of the website for more information on the rating criteria and methodology that CharityWatch adheres to.
Because many factors determine a worthy charity, we at CharityWatch suggest that you use the ratings on this page not as the sole determining factor in your decision, but rather as an aid.
CharityNavigator.org
Select "Find charities helping those impacted by Hurricane Dorian"
The highly-rated organizations included in our list have pre-positioned resources to help people impacted by this storm.
Interested in funding long-term support for the communities affected by Hurricane Dorian? The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, a 4-star charity and trusted philanthropic partner of Google and Facebook, established the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund.
6
It was something to be in the comfort and safety of my apartment knowing that Dorian had parked itself over the Bahamas for days, knowing without knowing, what must be happening in this distant part of the world, the terrors people and creatures had to endure. I kept a candle lit for them. Not much, huh? Just a little torch of awareness and hope.
9
How can we help this gentleman and his family? Talk about resilience. God Bless Him. What legitimate charity will work the fastest to get these people the help they need? I'm always leery about where to donate. You don't need to donate large amounts of money. If everyone would donate a dollar each, and if you can donate more, fabulous. All those dollars will add up. Power in numbers!!!!!
10
Where can I donate money to help Mr Lowe out?
3
These countries have to stop voting for corrupt misogynistic men. Their development, in spite of yearly storms, some becoming hurricanes, is appalling.
3
@ExhaustedFightingForJusticeEveryDay
I assume when you say "these countries" you are speaking about the United States.
And where oh where is the U.S. response? Oh that’s right, the Bahamas were not inside the Sharpie drawn area.
12
@Danielo Who do you think were flying the helicopters into the area as soon as they could? The airport has been closed and theres so much debris along the coast boats can't get close. WE've got people there and more is on the way.
4
The US Navy has something called Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), which is designed to come ashore in conditions just like this. It is designed to carry heavy loads of supplies and vehicles on to unimproved or damaged beaches. The kind you would see in a war zone or say, after a hurricane. The squadrons and pilots motto is: "No Beach Out of Reach." I would assume that Britain has such craft as well. Or perhaps since we are so much closer, we could lend our friends some of ours?
13
@Bruce1253
Another thought. What are our East Coast Hospital Ships doing for the next month or so?
5
The press has done a major disservice to "The Bahamas" by failing to describe the catastrophe as occurring in the tip top of the Bahamas.
The major damages limited to two Northern Islands and spared some
700 others in the Bahamas. you have set yourself up for major lawsuits.
The damage is done, but you could limit the amount by major efforts
to correct your mistake.
A property owner in the central Bahamas that was untouched.
5
The fine people of the Bahamas are a proud, hard working and strong in faith people. It's unimaginable the horrors the survivors endured! As for political messages and or opinions....this isn't the place to comment on that "stuff".
Let's all do our part to help this small country of beautiful islands to endure the long arduous task of recovery. They need MONEY, Supplies and Shelter. Please make sure you donate to legitimate charities when donating money.
To the beautiful and courageous people of the Bahamas, you will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers!
13
It is possible to build homes which will withstand winds of 200 miles an hour. It is possible to raise the inhabitable floors above potential flood levels. It will take time and money. The total population of the Bahamas is 391,232 people. Between 2010 and 2016, the population grew by 40,000 people or 10%. The Bahamas have a higher per capita GDP than Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Mexico, Iran, Egypt, and 120 other countries. The land mass is never going to grow. They need to control population growth and focus on rebuilding their infrastructure so that it can withstand future storms. They have the economic resources and educated population necessary to repair what was lost and make a better community.
13
Inspirational story. But thoughts and prayers are not enough. Send them money. On the officials Bahaman site NEMA
All cash donations can be deposited to:
RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited
Account number: 05625 1281013
Beneficiary name: Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund
Right now they don't take credit cards but they write:
"We expect to be able to receive donations via credit card services by Monday 9 September, 2019."
14
These storms are a stark example of our conveniences being someone else's burdens or, worse, death. While we continue take advantage of and make our lives easier through conveniences like pumping our cars full of fossil fuels, eating food packaged in plastic flown halfway around the world, consuming animals, and flying to our vacations the world is imploding and it's falling first and hardest on the backs of the poor, women, and people of color. It isn't a forgone conclusion that the world has to be like this, but more people have to reevaluate the "necessaries" in their lives and admit that they're actually conveniences they could live without; and that some people won't live at all if we don't live without.
18
@Lindsey There needs to be policy to enforce this because most people won’t do it on their own, most manufacturers won’t make it sustainable, everyone is trying to get the most that they can. This is the effect of capitalism.
11
@Lindsey "Live simply so that others may simply live." Ghandi
13
@Mary I do not believe that capitalism is at fault: it's greed. It happens in socialism, communism and all isms.
10
The pain of flooding, wildfires, hurricanes and drought is deepened by climate change. Pain as a result of hatred is deadly with a gun. Our care, our sympathy and our help for the victims of storms and gun violence mixes with our knowledge of the true perpetrators. The guilty are the Trumps of this world and parties, such as our Republican Party: the climate change deniers. They're the ones, like Trump, saying it's the people with mental illnesses that are to blame not the guns. Every day, every hour, every minute Trump and his pawns, bring devastating harm to the planet and to the human race. Donating to the relief for the Bahamians is necessary, and nothing is more life saving than the removal of Trump and of the Republican Party. As we embrace Brent Lowe and the people of the Bahamas we must also act against the forces of corruption and strive to save planet earth.
29
Lots of praises for Mr. Lowe. Readers want to read more heroic and inspiring stories. Bravo Mr. Lowe and so on and so forth. Who is offering material help to Mr. Lowe and his son and to the 90% of Bahamians who lost their houses. I simply do not see how they can jump back into normal life on their own.
16
Mr. Lowe is blind, on dialysis, has an adult son with cerebral palsy... and if he so chose, I would be proud to welcome him to the U.S. as an American. But he's not! and current policy would probably make it impossible for Mr. Lowe to become a citizen in his lifetime. Why would we turn away such brave and courageous people?
16
@me he said he wants to go home, not move to another country - he's not getting turned away??? This story is about rebuilding The Bahamas, not immigration.
7
I would be VERY skeptical of go-fund-ME "charities" that were created in the past two days.
As they, themselves, state:
"Contributions will be distributed by the Abaco-Winding Bay Relief Fund, a charitable organization created expressly for this effort with 501(c)3 status applied for and pending."
"501(c)3 status applied for and pending" means that they are NOT a charity.
If they were, then they:
1. wouldn't need a go-fund-ME campaign, and
2. would have existed before the hurricane was even forecast.
Unfortunately, many well-intentioned people won't know the difference between a legitimate non-profit and an opportunistic so-called "charity".
4
You are incorrect, 501c(3) status applies for and pending means they are not tax exempt, it doesn’t mean they’re not a charity. Quite the opposite, in order to even apply for 501c(3) status they must first be incorporated as a nonprofit.
6
Wouldn’t the people at Go Fund Me operation be required to check if campaigns are legitimate or not? If they aren’t perhaps this operation shouldn’t be able to continue to operate.
Mr. Lowe did the only thing he could do. And he has our admiration for surviving something so harrowing. But as many people have pointed out, while praise of Mr. Lowe is appropriate, his problems are just getting started. We, the wealthiest nation, the citizens living in the lap of luxury largely built on the backs of indigenous populations everywhere, need to step up and help these poor, battered, unfortunate souls. When we do that we can turn tears of pain to tears of joy.
29
@JW, We are too busy building walls.
6
We are now at the mercy of forces so catastrophic to our world that the innocent seem to suffer the most from these unnatural occurrences. Is it natural for hurricanes to now wipe out whole islands and coastal communities? Living in Florida, we are always on alert every hurricane season knowing we have the option to evacuate. This option obviously was not possible for the people of the Bahamas. Even if the Bahamas is rebuilt, it may only succumb to the same fate with global warming. As the state of Florida is paved over with high risers and concrete, we too will eventually suffer the same fate. But at least we have the opportunity to escape to higher ground by getting in our cars, hitting the gas pedal and getting out of the storm’s path. The only option afforded to Mr. Lowe and his son was to fight for their lives. Yet the courageous seem to overcome all the obstacles facing them, even a life threatening hurricane. Mr. Lowe and the people of the Bahamas are the true heroes of the tragedy facing all of us. The tragedy of knowing our natural habitat is diminishing and the loss of life. The tragedy of knowing our political leaders deny climate change for industrial growth. The tragedy of knowing we are helpless in the eye of a hurricane.
45
Cruise Lines - send in fully staffed empty ships and HELP
these people out. They need food, bathrooms, medical and a place
to sleep while they get their lives back in order.
57
@jahnay One of them just did; lets hope others follow suit. But where do they go? I doubt at this time this country will not offer refuge.
4
@Linda we should commandeer The Doral but these poor people deserve better than Bed Bugs.
There but for the grace of God go I.
These courageous people are in my prayers. One of the best things we can do to alleviate this continued suffering and destruction is to demand action on climate change. NOW!
37
Often it is the people, versus the governments that respond quickly to such a crisis. Neighbors were rescuing neighbors. A 6 year old boy was offering free food. People relate to those suffering. Donate if you can to their relief effort.
12
This story fails to mention how Trump is responsible for this mess.
25
he's a climate denier. He is to blame
17
Don't worry his plate is full of all the things he has done.
14
Let's hope America can help the Bahamas, and not ignore them like this administration did to Puerto Rico. We can help both.
179
Every country should help the Bahamas. This is a tragedy! And Trump I do believe the enormity of these storms are due to global warming and yet you do everything possible to make more of a mess of the world.
127
Trump say anything about the Bahamas or the Carolinas or has Alabama been his main concern?
34
@JRB
Can't count the number of times Trump mentions Alabama in support of his knowledge of Dorian's path and no mention of the Bahamas or the Carolinas. He probably knows that they won't be affected.
4
Horrible, horrible... and I hope aid arrives soon.... however. one little comment.. once upon a time when the electrical grid was out landline telephones continued to function having their own electrical supply. NOw because of politicians and Verizon executives -- never mind what I think would be good for us... and bad for them -- after 8 hours you will not have telephone service at a time when the electic grid is out. It was suggested in The Times that the plug could be pulled on the electric grid in Taiwan.... but what happens in NYC when the electric grid is out for more than a day or two. ALL OF US NEED TO PLAN FOR DISASTERS -- MANMADE OR 'NATURAL." And while I love roughing it. living in the city?? the solutions are much more complicated.
12
As Buddha said, Life is suffering and a story like this only confirms it a thousand fold.
Why brings a child into this world of endless suffering, stress?
Have to be a sadist
4
Where is England? Why are they cleaning up this mess?
Why would England be responsible. The Bahamas is an autonomous state.
9
@Aaron Do you possibly mean the United Kingdom? And if so, why?
2
@Marty their colonial occupiers for hundreds of years?
1
Thank you, Sheila Wall, MD, for pointing me to a secure site to donate to the Hope Town Fire & Rescue. My heart is still breaking, but at least now I feel like I've done SOMETHING.
13
I would like to see some of these cruise lines and luxury resorts suspend normal operations and shelter, feed and clothe these poor people. Living on an island, they could only flee by boat or plane. Thy could not leave the country unless they had both passports and visas. I suppose in our current state of chartered cruelty we are not going to let any of them in without a massive public outcry.
90
Tourism is the top economic activity of these islands, or nearly so. This is a GREAT suggestion: to have tour liners, hospital ships, and whatever is needed to shelter & everything else people while they can LIVE, WORK, GO TO SCHOOL, STAY HEALTHY, REBUILD... Time to pay back for the people and the natural beauty that have made the cruise/tourism countries rich!!
43
Where are the Hollywood telethons raising money for these poor ravaged victims?? Where are the collection plates on Sunday or Christian relief organizations gathering and transporting donations? Why have we become so callous and immune to human suffering? Is it because we are ashamed by our part in voting in do-nothing, ignmoramuses to our governments who should be solving these problems before they even happen? Or at least, leading the way in helping after the fact? Too many questions; no answers.
31
As a part-time resident of the Bahamas, I can assure you that the need is great and real.
The average Bahamian income is $28,300. Main sources of income are tourism (gone for at least 3 years) and commercial fishing (all boats and ferries in the Abacos have been sunk). Most docks are also destroyed.
To donate to the Abacos fund (serves the islands of Man O’ War, Elbow Cay, Marsh Harbour, Grand Bahama plus other associated small islands)
HOPE TOWN FIRE AND RESCUE
htvfr.org
Use Paypal button, because right now these are the payments that are getting through to them.
Bahamas Red Cross is another.
Thank you!!!!
48
@Sheila Wall, MD It was also stressed by the Bahamian government in an article I read elsewhere that other (southern) islands that are part of the Island chain did NOT suffer damage like this and are open for tourism, which will offer an influx of cash — unless people don’t know about them.
4
If anyone knows how I can help Mr Lowe and his son directly please let me know thank you 🙏🏾
38
@Lee Lee
me too how to get him & his son help🤷♀️
23
@Lee Lee. Same here. I want to help this family directly if anyone knows how to contact them.
The power of the human spirit to survive and save his son what an amazing man.
48
Wow! What an amazing man! courageous, heroic!
Sending prayers for you & your son.
Wish we could set up some kind of a ‘go fund me’ for this poor man & his son?🤷♀️ Any ideas? I would give to him.
45
@Gewell I appreciate your instincts. Unfortunately some people will try to take advantage of this generosity, so please verify any fundraiser pages that might emerge for him or any other related entities before giving.
2
It's been nearly 30 years since the first report by the IPCC. Nearly 30 years during which we could not plead ignorance yet global emissions have increased 60 percent since then.
This is recently from David Griggs, former head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scientific assessment unit:
“I think we are heading to a future with considerably greater warming than 2 degrees centigrade, and when the world doesn’t do something about it it brings a whole range of emotions into play, depression is clearly something.
You get days you are down, because what you know, and what you can see coming, is not good."
But the world is doing something about it, throwing gasoline on the fire.
https://youtu.be/jIy0t5P0CUQ?t=213
17
How can we help Mr. Lowe and his family?
36
@Evee Work to get another administration in our white house, contribute to save the children.
3
I cannot understand why the Bahamian government did not try to evacuate as many people as possible from an island that was facing 20’ surges and a cat five hurricane?
And God, please, start getting people off of Abaco. They cannot survive there without an infrastructure! Get them out!
14
@Anonymous
If you’ve ever been to the islands you would understand. Resources there are not the same as USA. These wonderful islanders NEED our assistance. They are the most humble, hardworking, loving people you would ever have the pleasure of meeting. They help themselves and would take the shirt off their back for you or yours.
They don’t expect to be taken care of. Show compassion and send supplies and support. You will not regret.
36
Reminds me if the Robert Hunter lyric... “Comes a time when the blind man takes your hand, says “ Don’t you see?” Gotta make it somehow, on the dreams we still believe. “
Thank you NYT for putting a few happy tears in my eyes.
22
How can I help??
24
Thank you Mr. Lowe for being a representative for the survivors and the seemingly harsh environment that was caused to those trying to survive. I think many people had it devastatingly hard and for your cause to be seen as the spotlight for those who have also gone through so much is something I cherish that you have taken the responsibility.
6
This is a disturbing view of a disastrous microcosm, nested inside a disastrous macrocosm, the whole thing a result of climate change...
One of the most disturbing photo sets I've seen from the Bahamas so far this week, was a set of two photos of an adolescent girl wading through belly-button high rushing water. In the first photo she is seen clutching two small dogs, one under each armpit. In the second photo, she is still batting belly button high rushing water, but she is only carrying one.
39
Thankfully I saw an update that the whole family, dogs included are safe!
Nonetheless that video and so many others were horrendous. And to think about the people and animals who were not able to get to safety. This is such a humanitarian tragedy.
https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2019/09/04/hurricane-dorian-bahamas-tim-aylen-family-dogs-escape-ctn-intvu-vpx.cnn
UPDATE TO THIS STORY:
Tim Aylen, a journalist working with The Associated Press, along with his 21-year-old daughter, Julia Aylen, and his 17-year-old son, Matthew Aylen, waded through chest-deep water as they escaped their Freeport home on Tuesday. Tim, ever the photojournalist, captured video of Julia carrying their three pet dogs as they struggled to make it through Hurricane Dorian's floodwaters.
After the ordeal was over, Tim said in a series of posts on Twitter that they safely evacuated and the dogs -- Charlie,11, Emma, 6, Cassie, 16, who wasn't seen in the photos and video -- are safe and sound too.
35
@Jeff
Let's hope for the best.
I see an opportunity for low cost products to be developed to keep people and pets afloat in these floodtimes.
9
@Jeff I kept repeating the video with the girl and her two dogs because I wasn't sure that she had lost one of the dogs but it seems that she did. Poor innocent creature.
It is always heartbreaking to know that yet another animal has been lost as a result of man's failure to build protection against the inevitable onslaught of damage that will be occurring with greater fierceness in the future. I shudder when I think of what lies ahead.
6
This is why we need taxes to help such people; who have no natural help. You can't count on people to help all the time; and they way natural disasters are happening; people in other parts will run out of money to help for repeated calamities.
We need strong government to help everyone during such situations and help prepare for the future.
And it's ok to not help; who thinks government is the problem.
11
@P2, I suppose you realize the Bahamas itself does not have an income tax. That way it can attract as residents Canadians, Brits and others (not Americans who pay taxes wherever they reside). So it should fall on us?
1
For one twenty-four hour period, I do not want to read anything in the NYT about Donald J. Trump. Please devote all front page coverage to the plight of all those impacted by this Hurricane. Mr. Lowe's story is beyond heroic; love was paramount in his efforts to save his son.
I am certain all survivors have their harrowing stories; but this is surely one that we should always remember: It made me cry as well as shamed me for what now seems to be my petty complaints.
185
@Candlewick Got to get that wall built can only do one thing at a time. Taking money from the school where the children of serving men and women attend but gotta have that wall above the education of children. Gotta have the wall.
17
@Candlewick
You don't have to read about Trump if you don't want to, but it's hard to look away from a car wreck.
Profile in courage and a reminder how lucky so many of us are and how important is now to help out the victims of Dorian in the Bahamas . We need to demonstrate no matter how divise our leadership is those who have been blessed with good fortune in this country are obliged to help those in dire straights . We still need to be the shiney beacon on the hill no matter who occupies the White House at the time.
30
Has the United States provided any assistance to the folks in the Bahamas? In the past there would be airlift of portable hospitals. Perhaps even our Hospital ship along with additional helicopters and support personnel - medics et al. Or am I just being wishfull?
33
@paul s: I heard a brief mention on the news earlier today that our U.S. Coast Guard was being deployed to render assistance. I hope the President was telling the truth when he made that statement to a reporter. That exchange was not part of the news note.
10
@Peggy The news here showed a Coast Guard helicopter on the island.
3
@Peggy
In some news videos earlier today the USCG was most definitely on site doing rescue work.
2
We have too many stories now like the blind man carrying his son with cerebral palsy.
Here's the thoughts of a woman who was stuck in traffic not far from me while trying to flee the Camp Fire incinerating the town of Paradise, California: "I'm going to die in melting plastic".
If you are a rancher who has lost their cattle to drought, or a homeowner who has lost their home to wildfire or drought, or an island nation going under the waves, then dangerous climate change has already arrived.
Just how dangerous it becomes depends on our actions in the near future and Earth's climate sensitivity.
92
We, here in the US, have it so easy it's embarrassing. Blind with an adult disabled child pummeled by one of the most devastating hurricanes in recorded history? And we gripe when we don't get our peanut snack on the plane.
172
@bounce33-Yesterday I was upset because I made a vital mistake in a cookie recipe and ended up tossing all the butter, chocolate chips, etc in the trash. Then I read about Mr. Lowe.
Many of us in the U.S. are so very very lucky compared to millions of others in this world. Every night I can go to sleep in a cozy bed with clean linens, I have any type and all of the food I want or need. My family is pretty healthy, if we need to see a doctor or a dentist, we can.
For the past several months I've been trying to remind myself of the above and not take these privileges for granted.
I wish I had the means to help others not nearly as fortunate as I.
9
@bounce33
Sadly, not everyone in US has it so easy. Just look at all those homeless camps in all the cities on the west coast, then look at all the money being made on the west coast, the lion's share going to those who don't need any more than they already have. It is time for a guaranteed income for all.
For where to donate to help in the Bahamas:
see: https://store.greatergood.com/products/90816-hurricane-dorian-help-people-and-pets-now
They are a good charity which has been around for a while. Every cent donated to them goes to the needs of the people affected.
12
I am moved to tears by the courage and success of Mr Lowe getting to safety with his son. I can’t fathom the heartbreak in Abaco and the Grand Bahama islands with the loss of life and so many structures damaged or destroyed. The survivors are suddenly homeless and it seems didn’t have much to begin with.
I hope the Bahamian government has the resources and receives enough international aid to help everyone affected. I will definitely donate to a relief organization on the ground there.
53
@Michael
You probably don't need this unwanted suggestion but I will give it anyway.
Check with Charity Navigator to make sure you are donating to a legitimate charity.
31
How can I help Mr.Lowe, and his Son ??? Please advise.
52
@Phyliss Dalmatian, Thanks for your question! We listed the ways you can help survivors here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/03/reader-center/hurricane-dorian-how-to-help.html
43
Please, I want to ship Mr. Lowe's family life saving insulin and other diabetes medications he may need. I am a Type 1. This man is already blinded by diabetes but is in renal failure too! The stress alone could spell the end of life for him! Please let me know!
25
@Marie Tae McDermott
@Phyliss Dalmatian
Thanks for intel Ms. McDermott.
Thanks for asking the question Ms. Dalmatian.
You both rock in my eyes!!!
15
I know there are many organizations providing relief in the Bahamas, but I wish I knew how to send a very small donation directly to Mr. Lowe. If the author knows how to do this, please let us know. Of course, mail delivery is impossible - but if you, author, come across a way, let us all know. Just a few bucks to send some love.
47
See above!!
6
A few summers ago I rented a home on Man-O-War Cay. It is a community that traces its origins back to the 1700s as the original settlers were Tories from New England who fled after the British lost the war. It was a lovely place with great beaches, palm trees, and hundred year old homes.
I saw the pictures taken this week and it looks as though it had been carpet bombed. The house I rented from a picture posted is absolutely destroyed. People who live on the Island must now confront the issue do they rebuild or leave? With climate change, it is likely the inhabitants after 200 years must flee once again.
24
@Sam
Climate also portends rising oceans so there may not be much left of the Bahamas.
And yet trump still does nothing.
13
@Pataman Actually, he does something. He rolls back vehicle emissions standards, clean air rules, methane limits, and now light bulb efficiency standards. He is actively promoting climate change.
20
@Pataman Sorry, this administration is doing worse than nothing. They are actively doing things to increase pollution and go past the "planetary boundaries" (Google this term).
I think though BAU is a recipe for extinction. I'm not sure it is possible to make it in time but I think we should try.
6
I seem to hear only deafening silence from the US government about this tragedy. Has there been expression of empathy, has there been an outlining of plans how to help and support? I may have missed it. Please NYT, if there has been, can you describe it, can you summarize the efforts, and add information how average citizens can help? I know I have seen pictures on Twitter of coast guard helicopters arriving on the hard-hit islands, and providing help. Can you write about them and the others who are helping? Focusing on this might pull us from the petty nonsense associated with this storm, and energize our help!
37
@Lucky
That’s right. Trump can only focus on how right he is about Alabama, spinning yet more untruths as the rest of the world weeps for the Bahamas and many try to help. Don’t hope for leadership from a man who has shown zero leadership skills plus a complete lack of empathy or a shred of kindness. Also, he’s racist.
20
Is it possible to provide a recommended site for donations to help?
13
@Amie
check in with Charity Navigator.
4
@Amie:
see: https://store.greatergood.com/products/90816-hurricane-dorian-help-people-and-pets-now
They are a good charity which has been around for a while. Every cent donated to them goes to the needs of the people affected.
3
Mr. Lowe shows us, if WE can see, that the essence of love is devotion, pure and simple. Now, I ask the NYT to show us how we can show our devotion to him lest we be mere voyeurs.
23
The Atlantis should help him just as all those luxury casino hotels should reach out and help the entire community . They are wealthy resorts and hardly have helped in the past.
46
@Ralph Petrillo:
The Disney Corp. is donating $1 million.....other big corporations which benefit from Bahamian tourism MUST do the same.
15
What about the cruise ship industry? They make so much money taking people to the Bahamas, could they spare an older cruise ship or two even for a short time to help house people who have lost their homes?
11
They register their ships in the Bahamas to avoid paying taxes... each cruise line should donate twenty million.
16
Astonishing courage. How can we help? What is the best way to raise funds and send them directly to people like Mr Lowe and his family?
22
Incredible bravery! There was no alternative, in that his son could not have survived without his father.
24
The photos of Abaco are shocking. I hope the many, many wealthy people who have property in the Bahamas come through for their poorer neighbors.
36
@Elizabeth A - the chairman of the company that owns The Abaco Club,Joe Deitch has committed $1 million to the relief effort. And a charity created Tuesday by the company has already raised $720,000 more. It's a start.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/abacodorianrelief
2
@David DeSmith,
I would be VERY skeptical of go-fund-ME "charities" that were created in the past two days.
As they, themselves, state:
"Contributions will be distributed by the Abaco-Winding Bay Relief Fund, a charitable organization created expressly for this effort with 501(c)3 status applied for and pending."
"501(c)3 status applied for and pending" means that they are NOT a charity.
If they were, then they:
1. wouldn't need a go-fund-ME campaign, and
2. would have existed before the hurricane was even forecast.
Unfortunately, many well-intentioned people won't know the difference between a legitimate non-profit and an opportunistic "charity".
2
How can I reach Mr. Lowe? I would like to donate insulin and other diabetic supplies to him! How do I get these supplies to him?
32
@Emily Miggins:
No idea, but perhaps contact a Bahamian official site or person, such as an ambassador?
3
@RLiss! Great idea!!!!!!!!!!
1
@Emily Miggins Try reaching out to his niece shorturl.at/bpzDZ
4
In every conscious heart compassion rises learning of Mr. Lowe's ordeal, as well for his son; and for all who've suffered with this most strong and violent test. In turn, the heartfelt impulses of all those who rise to identify themselves with those suffering this test elevates everyone to compassion. Are we yet to the point that our compassion can rightly extend also to the Earth which we are struggling to learn how to live with in peace? Until we learn, we are helpless in the face of Nature's awesome power.
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Wow! Such courage and strength in a terrifying situation! It is humbling to read this account.
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Gee, the strength and love exhibited by Mr. Lowe is beyond words. His son although disabled is one fortunate young man. God bless them both.
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God bless Mr. Lowe and his family. What a hero. I am so sorry to hear about his loss of home, community, livelihood. May he be able to go back home soon and be with his family. The U.S. needs to go in and help ASAP. Please let us know what we can do to help. They all certainly have a long journey ahead of them, may they not suffer any more than they already have.
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This is an inspiring and uplifting story, but it is also very sad. Will Mr. Lowe and his community be able to rebuild? Even more, should they, when climate change is taking hold and there is a strong likelihood that they will be faced with one massive storm after the other in the years ahead. It is conceivable that much of the Caribbean may become unsustainable for human communities to live and thrive. If that happens, will countries like the US and Canada -which are largely responsible for what is happening now - open their doors and provide refuge to these climate change refugees?
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@Shaun Narine We should open our doors, but what chance is there of that? We are spending our money building walls to keep people out rather than caring for others. This is both heartbreaking and infuriating.
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@Shaun Narine The US and Canada will not be safe. Our coasts will be under water permanently, forests lost to forest fires, crops lost to drought, the midwest flooding, earthquakes from fracking, many species of animals extinct. We are just beginning to see the effects of climate change which will get much much worse unless there is an immediate and drastic change in how every country lives.
Right now only the Scandinavian countries are doing a full court press on this. The European countries somewhat, The US, under Trump, is making things worse. China and India are terrible polluters.
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What an extraordinary story of the triumph of courage, determination, and selflessness in the most extreme conditions. Mr. Lowe and his family and neighbors helped each other when it mattered and I hope they now receive the help they need to rebuild in the most timely and efficient manner. Is it too much too hope that all the mega-rich who own property in the Bahamas would join forces to do what they can to alleviate the suffering of the people from the Abaco Islands and elsewhere by digging deep into their pockets?
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Mr. Lowe in an incredible person, a hero. I would like to meet this person, shake his hand and tell him how much I admire what he did here. That won't happen, but I wish him the best and hope that the recovery will proceed despite how dire the post hurricane situation is.
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I don’t think I will ever complain about anything ever again, after reading about the wonderful Mr. Brent Lowe. So much love for his son. Blessing on both of them.
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@Passion for Peaches
Truer and more honest words have never been spoken.
Until I've walked in similar shoes such as Mr. Lowe, I had no right nor cause to moan, groan or gripe again.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!!
Much appreciated and needed.
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@Marge Keller, although it isn’t mentioned, Mr. Lowe’s socks and footwear, and the scars on his shins, tell me the man probably suffers from neuropathy in his feet and circulation problems in his legs. Both are common in advanced diabetes. So for him to carry his full-grown son on his shoulders, through a hurricane, even just five minutes to the next house...oh, my...he’s a good man.
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@Passion for Peaches
Good catch regarding potential neuropathy issues.
The more I read about this amazing man, the more respect and awe I hold in regard to him.
Who needs "superheroes" when there are folks like Mr. Lowe who walks unassumingly among us?
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Mr. Lowe's heroism and selfless courage need to be suitably honoured. Perhaps his story and that of his son will serve to inspire a great writer to immortalize the humanity and goodness to be found at the core of Mr. Lowe's conduct in that most critical moment of his life.
Human behaviour and choices don't come any more good than this. Thanks to the NYT for sharing Mr. Lowe's trial. And of course thanks to Mr. Lowe himself for his inspiration. I do hope that he is as blessed by fate over the rest of his life as he seemed to be cursed by fate for having to endure the awful trial he and his son so admirably answered.
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"Mr. Lowe had another problem. He’s blind.
So he put his grown son on his shoulders, then stepped off his porch, he said. The swirling current outside came up to his chin."
If ever there was an inspiring story that humbled me while I cried, this is it.
It is stories like this that tell of bravery, courage and love that makes me believe there is still more good than bad in this world.
I hope the NYT will continue to cover and print more "stories of unlikely survival" as the days pass because frankly, there is so much sadness and depressing news out there, I need all the positive and uplifting news I can get.
Bless you Brent Lowe!
And the family dog who detected Sandra Cooke's sister-in-law who had "been trapped under a collapsed roof in the Abaco Islands."
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@Marge Keller I cried, too, Marge, here in NC. Those of us who care are really around, just need to know about each other. I hope at some point I can find a way to send a small check to Mr. Lowe just to share a little love.
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@Marge Keller I cried too. Mr. Lowe's fortitude and will to live makes my complaints less than petty in comparison. To those who tried but failed, God bless you too...at least you gave it your best. As for me, I doubt I would have prevailed under the same circumstances but, then again, one never knows until the trial is upon them.
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@Citizen of the Earth
I cried when I read your comment!
Good luck to you and your neighbors in NC. I truly hope all goes well.
A bushel of love is being sent your way.
Take care.
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