Still Remembering The Pain on Many Faces

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GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – It was this photo on the U.S. Coast Guard’s social media pages shortly after Hurricane Dorian that received worldwide attention

That’s Grand Bahamian and U.S. Coast Guard Health Service Technician Isabella Wipf explaining what was going through her mind at the time. 

She says while stationed in Key West after the catastrophic storm, she heard one of their ships was going to Grand Bahama, that’s when she immediately jumped into action to assist in the search and rescue efforts.

But she says four years later, she still remembers the pain on the faces of many.

Wipf says her daughter was in Grand Bahama during the storm which was worrisome for her as communication was in and out but her mission was to rescue as much people as possible.

She also has friends who lost their children and to this day she says it’s still difficult to manage.

As for recovery, Wipf says it will simply take time.

And without comparing the effects of Hurricane Dorian to military workers she says she’s learned through the vigours of her job the importance of mental health.