Trauma surgeon Dr. LJ Punch, no stranger to gunshot wounds, says when the tornado hit last May, it felt like the city had been shot. He launched 314Oasis to help feed and care for people, knowing the trauma people were experiencing
Dr. JL Punch, Associate Professor of Surgery, School of Medicine
Washington University
"When we have threats against us and we don't have a way to resolve them and feel safe and cared for, it will turn into all kinds of behaviors that can be harmful to us and harmful to other people." Dr. Punch says after Hurricane Katrina, survivors spent much of the first year in survival mode, but then came increasing rates of suicide, violence and desperation.
"And we then sometimes threaten people for those behaviors, not recognizing the root it comes from."
Since last May, 314Oasis has served more than 40,000 meals, helped with utility bills and lost IDs...even provide acupuncture and massage therapy.
Dr. Punch invites the community Saturday to O'Fallon Park at 9 a.m. or Fountain Park at 1 p.m. for a Day of Remembrance.
Listen to our complete interview with Dr. Punch here
All week KMOX will be looking back at the damage the deadly May tornado caused, what's being done today and looking into what needs to be done in the future to recover.
Join us Thursday from 8-10p for a special retrospective documentary style program. It will be podcasted after it airs.
