JOHN LAWSON
El viaje de un veterano hacia la recuperación total
Cuando se le pidió que describiera la noche del tornado, John Lawson dijo que le recordó sus dÃas de paracaidismo en el ejército. "Eso es lo que me recordaron los árboles cuando volaban por el aire mientras el viento los levantaba", dijo John. La noche en que el tornado del 10 de diciembre de 2021 arrasó Mayfield, Kentucky, John tenÃa un amigo en su casa. Sin apenas tiempo para reaccionar, su amigo logró ponerle un casco a su hija y agarrar a su perro antes de que toda la casa comenzara a moverse.
Todos se acurrucaron juntos en la bañera mientras la tormenta azotaba el lugar. Afuera, los transformadores explotaron y, de repente, pudieron sentir el viento dentro de la casa. En un momento aterrador, el tornado comenzó a succionar a John fuera del baño. Su amiga, capaz de rodearle el cuello con las manos, luchó contra la fuerza del viento y lo empujó hacia la bañera.
Cuando finalmente pasó la tormenta, permanecieron en la bañera, atrapados por un gran árbol que bloqueaba la puerta del baño. Gritaron pidiendo ayuda y un hombre que estaba afuera los escuchó. Con su ayuda, fueron liberados. Una vez que salieron, se encontraron con una vista sobrecogedora: la única parte de la casa que quedó en pie fue el baño donde habÃan buscado refugio. Aunque nadie resultó herido, la constatación de la destrucción fue devastadora. En solo unos minutos, John habÃa perdido casi todo: su casa, muebles, electrodomésticos, ropa, pertenencias personales y más.
Amazingly, amidst the rubble, they found a few precious items intact: John's military class photo, his uniform, and a framed puzzle of The Last Supper, glass and all, undamaged.
In the aftermath, John faced an uphill battle. Much of the city had been destroyed, making it difficult to find housing. He lived with his son for a year and a half before securing a place to rent. Support was hard to come by at first, but eventually, Reverend Hussey, local churches, and community members provided much-needed assistance with food and supplies. John noted that while some community members rallied to support those in need, not everyone had good intentions. "Some people who were supposed to be helping with the cleanup were actually stealing from tornado victims," he said with frustration.
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Nearly a year and four months after the December 10th, 2021 tornado, John was connected to the Mayfield Graves Long-Term Recovery Group (MGC LTRG). Reflecting on the support he received, he said, "They talked to us and wanted to pray for us. They were straight up."
Through the Mayfield Graves LTRG, John was assigned a Case Manager with TWKUMC, who helped him complete the steps to get his home rebuilt. John was approved, a new home was built by TWKUMC, and he was recently able to move in. In addition to a new home, John also now has a storm shelter he can go to in the case of severe or dangerous weather.
John offers some advice to people who may find themselves in a similar situation. “I always point up over the fireplace and tell people to pray,” he says. “Be careful who you trust—not everyone is out to do good after a tragedy.” Reflecting on the experience, he adds, “I hate that it took something like this to bring people together, but it did.”