Cospers cope with their loss
Hurricanes uproot and separate a couple, but they remain connected.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are responsible for Valerie and Stan Cosper's current situation.
She is living in Liberty Township and starting up Living Example Ministries Inc. The former Youngstown man remains in New Orleans, where he is lieutenant on the Department of Public Safety at Tulane University.
They keep in touch by cell phones, e-mail and limited trips back and forth.
"This is the first time in 24 years that Stan insisted we leave," Mrs. Cosper said. "Since 1980 when he started at Tulane, the police would stay on campus and the families could stay at the rec center [on campus]," Mrs. Cosper said. "One time I was pregnant and stayed in the infirmary."
The family had done that in the past during flooding and threats of hurricanes.
As it turned out, this time was different. The university's staff was told to evacuate, and the campus was locked down.
"We had a 19- to 20-hour drive," Mrs. Cosper said of the family's trek north in two vehicles. Youngstown was the destination because her husband's mother and family live here.
Adjustments
Mrs. Cosper said the family is adjusting and coping with being hurricane evacuees. She's become all too familiar with government red tape, FEMA and insurance claims.
The Cospers' son, Stan Jr., 23, spent a short time in Youngstown but has returned to Louisiana. "Right now he's working as an assistant manager with Foot Locker in Slidell, [La.]," Mrs. Cosper said. A junior at Tulane, Stan Jr. intends to return to his studies in the future when conditions improve in the city. Daughter Theresa, 20, is a student at Youngstown State University and son Jon, 17, is a senior at Liberty High School.
"They've lost their home, their schools and friends," Mrs. Cosper said. "We've lost our city and our way of life."
The family despaired about leaving their beloved dogs, but there has been a happy resolution. The dogs, Pebbles, a mixed breed, and Anubis or "Nubbie," a rescued Doberman, were saved by the National Guard after being stranded for 16 days. The dogs are now with a family friend.
How bad it got
Mrs. Cosper said their home is in the Gentilly section of New Orleans. "A levee about two miles away broke. We had about 21/2 feet of water in the house," she said. "Mold is the problem. We weren't able to save much. Some books and photo albums of the children as infants and toddlers. Our wedding pictures are gone."
Cosper said their house has been gutted and the roof damaged. "The insurance companies and the government have got to do the right thing," he added.
The Salvation Army and Red Cross in Mahoning County have helped the family in various ways. So has congregation at Phillips Chapel Church of God in Christ, 3903 Jacobs Road S.E., where Cosper's mother, Bernice Cosper of Youngstown, is a member. "I've been impressed with the Christ-like generosity of strangers," Cosper said, and also noted family has been supportive.
Mrs. Cosper said she and her husband haven't made a final decision about whether to stay in or leave New Orleans. They face challenges and choices about jobs, family, finances, housing, education and lifestyle.
"We're praying and asking God," she said. "We may have to start over here, but we'll deal with it."
"I think we'll wait until our [youngest] son graduates from high school then decide. We'll pray and we'll go where God takes us," he said. "The city is getting back on its feet, but red tape makes things difficult. But healing has started."