Notes from Japan in the Aftermath of Tragedy
The following emails are from my
contacts with our Prader-Willi
syndrome members in Japan after the
earthquake, tsunami and nuclear
meltdown concerns. We have to
admire their resilience and strong
sense of community in helping
others.
Janalee Heinemann, MSW
Director of Research & Medical
Affairs ,
PWSA (USA)
Vice President, IPWSO
************************************************************************************************
Dear Janalee,
I am sorry that I did not reply to
your kind mail. Please be assured, I
am completely safe now. this
disaster struck east-norther area
from Tokyo In Tokyo is far from
disaster area, however houses waved
like on board in a storm, but there
is a little damage. I asked people
who are my acquaintance but phone
and email are dead at the first day,
but fortunately soon after
earthquake I could send a cell phone
mail to Mikiko Sato, a member of
PWSA Japan who attended
international conferences. She
replied she and her family are safe.
Other members were impossible to get
in touch with, because phone are
completely dead. We are worried
about them.
Now we are feeling repetitive
aftershock of the earthquake. Hope
forrowing earthquakes do not
strike. Thank you very much for
your consideration. And we thank
you very much for rescue corps of
U.S.A.
Best regards
Tomoko Hasegawa, M.D. (our
international/IPWSO delegate)
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Dear Janalee,
Thank you very much for your
concern. I still cannot make contact
with one PWS family living near the
heavily damaged area; I'm so worried
about them.
I hear there are still many small
aftershocks even in Tokyo. Japanese
people now fear for the leakage of
radioactive substances from a
nuclear power plant.
May I ask you a favor? I know our
friends around the world are worried
about the Japanese members, so,
could you tell the IPWSO members all
over the world that I'm all right
and one family is still missing, and
that their prayers are needed, if
it's not a burden to you?
I think Japan will suffer from
serious economic and emotional
depression at least for the next few
months, but Japanese people really
appreciate and are encouraged by
lots of every kind of support from
abroad. Thank you very much for
sending your thoughts and prayers
for us.
Kindest regards,
Eiko Shoji, Vice-president, PWSA
Japan
********************************************************************
Dear Janalee
I’m safe and just confirmed
the safety of Dr. Tomoko Hasegawa.
Now I am getting on to my relatives
and friends who live in the quake
area. I am concerned of the star of
the pacific plate. I pray sincerely
for the souls of victims of my
country.
Thank you for your
heartwarming mail. We members of
PWSA Japan , all Japanese will join
hands and work together !. Thank you
for your encouragement.
Sincerely yours
Yoshiro Kato
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