Weeks Without Communication: Maritza Lopez Muniz’s Hurricane Maria Story

July 09,2018

“The history of a people can change in a minute.”

I never thought that at 57 years old, I would see a Category 5 hurricane such as Maria.

Like everyone else, I had hoped it would be like the other times hurricanes hit, when they deviated their paths or lowered their intensity before reaching our shores. But this time, it wasn’t like that.

I stayed in my house with my two dogs. The rain and winds went from Tuesday night until Thursday morning when everything went back to normal. During this time, I did not sleep at all. When would all this be over? I kept watch to make sure no water came through the windows of one room and that the glass door wouldn’t break in another. I went from room to room constantly checking, filled with great tension, fear, and anguish for what might happen. Outside, objects and cardboard roofs flew. Trees bent from side to side, some of which fell into my yard and knocked down a palm tree.

I had to stand in line for many hours to buy a single bag of ice, which I needed to keep my insulin cold. I went for weeks without a cellphone and no communication with my family, especially with my parents. There were many difficult moments and hard tests. There were days when I felt desperate because before this hurricane, my house was already amid the hurricane of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pemphigus vulgaris that seriously affected my health, prognosis, pocketbook, and quality of life.

When I heard about the $500 grant application started by Team PHenomenal Hope for PH patients with unmet needs, I was relieved because I had debts to pay and had to keep buying food, water, ice, and batteries. Team PH, your help arrived at the most opportune moment. Thank you for providing for the welfare, health, and safety of PH patients with the Unmet Needs Patient Impact Fund. You cannot imagine how this money helped to improve our quality of life. I don’t know what was worse — the hurricane or the subsequent days without the services and basic necessities of daily living. Being incommunicado and in the dark was not easy.

I’m very grateful and wish you health and many blessings, so you can continue to help those most in need with your donations.

Thank you.

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