Our sea, our shores, our psyche: Many reeling after gulf disaster

[highplainsdem]

Source: St. Petersburg Times / Tampabay.com

Our sea, our shores, our psyche: Many reeling after gulf disaster
By Richard Martin, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Saturday, June 19, 2010


Matt Shipp feels the stress all over. As the new owner of a restaurant along the oil-stained Alabama coast, he doesn't know if his business will survive the summer. At home, his 10-year-old daughter, Kamila, worries her family — who came to Orange Beach from Mobile eight months ago — might have to move again.

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Much has been said about the environmental, medical and financial impact of the BP oil spill. Now residents and experts say the spill also is exacting a serious emotional toll on people who live — and make their living — by the gulf. Even people who haven't seen the first drop of oil stain their shores are feeling the strain.

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Ward, 49, who has owned North Shore Grill along scenic Perdido Beach Boulevard for just over a year, has lived in the area all his life. His restaurant counts on steady business from locals, with tourists being the "icing on the cake."

These days, given how many locals rely on tourism for their income, he doesn't see much of either. "What I'm seeing now is the emotional and social impact of the locals," he said. "We're all feeling the impacts of oil on our shore."

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Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/our-sea-our-shores-our-psyche-many-reeling-after-gulf-disaster/1103516

[Empathic_1]

1. We need to grieve together and unite to change the way things are.

These stories better bring us together, for if they don't... the concept of a democratically ruled country will be moot.

[Peace Patriot]

2. I wish I could recommend your comment! Thanks! And welcome to DU! nt