Oklahoma City Bombing

• The Survivor's Voice:
"Physically, my injuries were healed within two weeks. Emotionally, it will take longer, I think."

- Noel Osborn, 38, of Oklahoma City, who was working at the Water Resources Board.

Osborn suffered cuts, bruises and a torn eardrum in the explosion, but she said she suffered a secondary injury from those who focused only on those who were injured or died in the federal building.

"It would mean a lot to the people in this state agency if their plight could be acknowledged," she said. "Our whole agency, which employs about 80 people, was hit so hard."

, Osborn said she will see an audiologist about her hearing problems but hasn't experienced much hearing loss since the explosion. She's also participating in group counseling offered through her agency.

• Acts of Kindness:
The Oklahoma Federation of Chapters of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees donated $110,000 to the Federal Family Relief Assistance Fund. The check reflects efforts from NARFE members nationwide.

Oklahoma's Mother of the Year Barbara Thompson got signatures from the Mothers of the Year from American Mothers Inc. to pass along their sympathies and expressions of love. The letter stated: "The mothers of this country share your grief. We extend to you our sympathy, we open our arms to you to offer you the strength of our nation's mothers."

KRON Computers donated two computers to the First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City. The church, across the street from the Murrah Building, sustained heavy damage from the blast. "We just wanted to do something to help the church get back on its feet," said Todd Birdsong, manager of KRON Computers.

Enterprise Square, USA in Oklahoma City recently received a pop-up angel card created by Bobby J. Jones, a volunteer at the Albuquerque Children's Museum in Albuquerque, N.M. The card was accompanied by handwritten notes from children. The card will be on display all summer.

• Emotional Difficulties:
Faculty members in the OU Health Sciences Center's psychiatry department - in cooperation with The Oklahoman - will answer general questions. If you have a question, leave a message at 475-3424 or write to:

Emotional Difficulties
The Oklahoman
P.O. Box 25125
Oklahoma City, OK 73125

Personal help is available at the OU Health Sciences Center's free hot line at 271-5575, the Project Heartland counseling center at 858-7070 or its 24-hour hot line at (800) 522-9054.

Q Since the bombing, I've gained 20 pounds and seem to have lost my control to stop eating the foods that are bad for me. I think it's because I'm depressed. What can I do? - T.C.

A It sounds like you have a good handle on the cause of your sudden lack of portion control. It is common in our society to reach for food to soothe our feelings of emptiness, loss, helplessness and depression. Other common methods for trying to cope are excessive shopping, drinking, gambling and abuse of prescription or illegal drugs.

Find a verbal outlet for your feelings - family, friends, a counselor, a support group, co-workers or whoever. When you are feeling depressed or sad and don't have the opportunity to talk through your emotions, try exercising. Try to make these new activities, rather than food, your focus, and see if you can gradually revert back to more appropriate eating patterns within a few weeks to a couple of months. If not, then you might want to consider seeking help from a mental health counselor and/or a registered dietitian.

- Dr. Wanda Draper,
OU Health Sciences Center

• A Phone Call Away:
The Oklahoman's Access Line has several bombing-related topics. Call 478-5100, then press extensions:

7301 - Express your feelings.
7302 - Feelings from other people.
7308 - Tips on how to cope.
7309 - How to help your children.
7333 - How to help a grieving person.
7346 - Oklahoma City Municipal Employees Choir.
7386 - Remarks made by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.
7387 - Information about Small Business Relief Fund.
7389 - Hollywood stars' words of encouragement.
7390 - Football stars' words of encouragement.
1031 - Menu of fund drives.
1033 - Menu of other categories.

• How To Help:
Donations may be sent to:

Gov. Frank Keating's Victim & Family Relief Fund
Office of the Governor
State Capitol, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Mayor Ron Norick's Victims Relief Fund
Oklahoma City City Hall
200 N Walker, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

• Your Connection
Q My question is for Gov. Frank Keating. My husband was working downtown April 19 . He was within a block or two of the Murrah Building and was slightly injured. He assisted with the rescue and did not even take a day off work until three weeks later. Like all other Oklahomans, he did not want to complain when others were suffering more tragically. However, our car was destroyed in the bomb. Our insurance company was extremely accommodating. Our car was covered, and we have already purchased another vehicle. What I would like to ask is that you waive the excise tax and registration fees that we (and all the other 2,000 or so people who had to purchase new cars) had to pay. It would be an act of kindness and make others feel that the state cares about all who were affected by the bomb.

- Patty Clark, Oklahoma City

A The Victims and Families Relief Fund will pay for the tag, tax and title, up to $1,000, for any vehicle which replaces one destroyed during the April 19 bombing. If an individual has already received a new vehicle and has already paid for the tag, tax and title, the Victims and Families Relief Fund will reimburse that individual as long as proper documentation is presented showing that their vehicle was totaled. A short form also must be completed. More information is available from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation at (405) 235-2555.

- John Cox, Keating's deputy press secretary

If you have a question for a public official, write to:

Your Connection
The Oklahoman
P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City 73125

Please direct your question to a specific public official and include your name, city where you live and phone number in case we have any questions. Your phone number will not be used in any story.