Homeless in Seaside Park, NJ After Sandy - An Open Letter by Faith Liguori

The heartache and frustration from dealing with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy are laid out in an open letter to elected officials by the former director of Ocean County's Department of Human Services. Faith Liguori's poignant writing is resonating with many survivors of the storm who say navigating the rebuilding process is overwhelming.
In "My Descent into Madness by Way of the Rabbit Hole," Liguori describes feeling like a character from "Alice in Wonderland." Originally published by Toms River Patch, the opinion piece is attracting widespread attention online.

[@briankatie1]

Hi Faith. Just want to thank-you for taking the time to put this together. You speak for so many of us at the Jersey shore. Our home is in Ortley Beach and this entire ordeal is just so heart breaking as we try our best to re-build. Goodluck to you and your family, hope you can move forward somewhat now. Hope this gets viewed alot. I am going to try to pass around as much as I can. All the best ....Karen Caprio Flynn

[@lolproc]

Thank you, Faith, for speaking on behalf of all of us. Your written and audio letter is eloquent, factual and to the point. Im a neighbor from Seaside Park, and I am amazed & horrified at the sub-standard treatment from banks, insurance companies, Fema, and our elected officials. The overseeing of the monies raised to help Hurricane Sandy Victims is a subject which begs answers as well. There NEVER seems to be an audit performed or an accountability for monies raised for disasters.God Bless.

[@gingermankowski3610]

Faith Liguori! Thank you for your sensitive, heroic & fantastic display of courage. We suffered damage: insurance company states it's 'cosmetic'; it inculds the entire underside of the house, ripped all the 'skirting' (which 'hides' the pilings), & washed away all items 'stored' under the home, NOT built for 'storage'! Only cosmetic repairs, NOT covered by insurance! I cried but after the video ended, thank goodness for miracles... you found your way partially out of that rabbit hole!

[@maureenmastropierro1182]

I am from Toms River and had 2 feet of water in my home. You speak for so many of us suffering at the Jersey Shore. God Bless and Thank You

[@dawnphillips6216]

well said Im also from Seaside Park Nj and Im feeling your pain

[@joannegottstine2754]

Faith, you like many families up here in Sayreville are in our prayers.

[@angeangel1]

Dear Faith..may God bring you doable answers..so sorry for your dilemma...thank you for bringing to our attention I will share write and pray love Angela UK

[@ChrisBuonoGuitar]

Just like your open letter on the Berkley Patch you nail this. God bless you, Faith.

[@lulabelle4912]

Amen. We are in the same position on Long Beach Island. There is no help. My husband is also a 9/11 first responder who is suffering from cancer as a result, so I am stuck, doing this alone.

[@angeangel1]

God help you Faith.. I am so sorry I pray for doable answers for your devastation. with love and prayers from Angela in the UK

[@l0ract]

AMEN! I was a renter in Seaside Heights. No one will give renters insurance too "barrier islands". I'm older & disabled. It's been so hard! Then arguing with FEMA. Our governor is ONLY interested in the revenue, not the residents!

[@maceddy8]

dear faith.. im so sorry tht your suffering so.. we too live at the jersey shore but were spared major damage..but prayers for all of you.. how hard it was just for the weeks without power,i cannot imagine how you feel... but i have to say i blame most of this on the congress who took leave and delayed the money for everyone.. this is america and should not be happening this long.. hang in there please.. im feel for you so...

[@Criticalizzy]

Hi, Faith. It's me, Liz, Lisa's sis. Please know you have a huge church group praying for you and Brad. It's not much, and I wish there was something I could do for you. You give so much to people who need assistance, and I understand it when you need to 'be taken care of'. Don't give up, and don't go nuts!

[@georgekasimos2925]

Faith you said it so eloquently. My home was devestated by Sandy too. But worse than rebuilding is what FEMA is doing to us. We need to get together to stop all the Flood Elevation and Flood insurance maddness. Please help us figh at facebook/StopFemaNow

[@maryellenripoll6472]

I posted this heartbreaking video on my Facebook for all to share...after loosing our first floor, and figuring out the red tape, we are planning on finishing in 2 weeks, and have our final flood settlement as well. If you need help mid-feb I wield a wicked hammer , and would love to volunteer...God Bless and stay Jersey Strong!

[@ashleylaw]

Sorry to hear your plight, Just think what happens in those undeveloped countries that government sends money to? It sure does not get down to the homeless as you are discovering. Keep up the good fight don't let them get you down. At least you got paper work to bury them in.

[@mquinn7068]

Hi Faith I have my pictures and will have my daughter upload from her Facebook account. Watch news 12 tonight about my fight with Wells Fargo -- it does not end for any of us. I have also been in touch with someone from Point who wrote a great editorial. We need to stick together. Please let me know how I can best reach you so we can work together.

[@mquinn7068]

Faith -- we have to band together....I am fighting this fight in SIlverton. Please let me know how I can get in touch with you. I do not have facebook.....

[@scotsosageprairiegal7455]

is not germany...I mean amerika great...not! Prayers for all

[@ashleylaw]

You awake ?

[@johnhegedus7636]

Faith, on behalf of The Cape To Coney Hurricane benefit music concert series, we would like to help you. Please reach out to me on facebook. John Hegedus or our facebook page From Cape To Coney Hurricane benefit concert series.