Dear Editor:

 

As we are now approaching the first anniversary of Hurricane Irene, my husband, Brian Shapiro, and I would like to publicly thank U.S. Congresswoman Nan Hayworth, her Constituent Services Representative Jessica Ruckdeschel, and state Sen. Bill Larkin for their help in handling our FEMA claim.

 

We had tried over a period of several months to make clear to FEMA that we were applying for financial assistance for a knee surgery my husband required when he was injured in the cleanup aftermath of Irene. We provided every form and document FEMA requested several times and made dozens of phone calls.

 

FEMA refused our claim four times. They repeatedly mislabeled and misclassified our claim. After several months of correspondence denying the claim for a different reason each time, none of which were real or applicable, the fourth refusal stated that Brian had a pre-existing condition (which he did not).

 

It was at this point that I contacted Sen. Larkin’s office, who called us back personally and told us he would put us in touch with Congresswoman Hayworth’s office. Jessica, a constituent services representative for the congresswoman, was very kind and patient and followed up every single phone call or email exchange as she said she would. I sent her all the necessary papers I had previously sent to FEMA, and on Feb. 7 (less than two weeks later) we received a check from FEMA.

 

I am sure I would still be struggling with FEMA if not for Jessica’s intervention.

 

We are both extremely grateful to these three public servants, as in the nine years we have lived in New York state they have been the only people that have ever even responded to our calls or letters personally, and the only people who have been genuinely helpful. We are lucky to have them to speak for us when our own voices are not heard.

 

L.K. Levine and Brian Shapiro

 

This originally appeared in the August 15, 2012 edition of the Putnam County Press and can be found here.