Katrina survivor planning to stay in Bonita Springs

Former New Orleans resident Weston Walker, 35, thinks he got lucky after Hurricane Katrina.

People lost their homes, their livelihoods and some even their lives. But Walker says it was the good people of Bonita Springs who have kept his spirits high.

“We have been here almost a year and they have all helped so much,” said Walker, who now lives in Bonita Springs with his wife, Lisa, and his parents. “It’s a major sacrifice but they helped so much.”

Shortly after arriving in Bonita Springs, Walker’s 7-year-old son, who goes by the same name, was enrolled at Bonita Springs Elementary.

“We were pleased to have him and help him out,” said principal David Short.

Young Weston, who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, speech delays and visual motor integration delays, needed additional classes so the school stepped in and lifted a burden the Walkers had been facing virtually alone back home on the West Bank.

“It was a big shock to us when everything happened,” said Walker, whose son attended private school in New Orleans but had to be taken elsewhere for tutoring.

“Here at the school Weston was getting everything all at once and it was a good help for us,” said Walker whose New Orleans home suffered roof damage and minor flooding.

“We were just very happy that they came from New Orleans and that they were very receptive to our help,” Short said.

Teachers, staff and members of the community pulled together and provided the Walkers with care, support and love.
“They didn’t need financial support but just all other supports and everyone reached out to them and did what we could,” Short said.

The help Walker and his family received gave him the break he needed at a time when he felt his life was falling apart.
He even wrote a letter to superintendent James Browder in May informing him of his first meeting with Weston’s teacher, Lisa Beringer at the school.

“We asked about supplies and if there was anything else we could do. I remember her response as if she told me this morning: ‘Don’t worry about anything. You have enough to worry about now. I’ll take care of everything.’ ” he wrote.

Walker went on to explain how their lives were deeply touched that day and the difference he sees in his son.

“I cannot convey to you how impressed I was with the firm and consist and gentle way in which she taught and cared for the children,” Walker wrote adding that for the first time his son could write his name and proudly “signed” everything.

Today, Walker said he is still looking for a permanent job as an appraiser but wrote the letter because he wanted to show appreciation for his son’s improvement.

“It was completely worth it to come down here and I’m grateful for what everyone did for us,” said Walker, who plans to stay in the area because of what people at Bonita Springs Elementary did for him and his family. “I’m thankful that they have helped us begin a new chapter in our lives.”