The Doctors Get To Work.. Saving Lives

The Doctors Get To Work.. Saving Lives
Project Change: Bermuda Volunteers working in conjunction with Feed My Lambs. Dr. Christopher Johsnon, Derrick McLin (OR Tech), Derrick Washington (OR Tech) and Dr Alicia Stovell-Washington (Opthalmological Surgeon), Phillip Rego and Others Including US Rangers.

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Friday, January 29, 2010

The People Are My Heroes...

Montrouis, Haiti. January 29th, 2010

Les Mise'rable

For prophetic or perhaps poetic irony, the theme song from the popular musical Les Mise'rable was playing on the sound system of our hotel as we returned from our clinic in Port aux Prince. The backdrop of Les Mise'rable is the French Revolution; noted for starving people rioting in the streets of Paris. While we have not experienced rioting we still get reports that many people have not received food since the earthquake. Mr Rego's Ministry "Feed My Lambs" hands out care packages of rice and beans to the patients who attend our clinic. This is strong medicine that complements the surgery and drugs that we doctors administer. Many of the people who receive this support from Mr Rego and his ministry probably do not know who or where this vital help comes from. No doubt that he because it is given freely, without strings attached or paperwork. The dignity of the needy recipient is preserved and these quiet acts of selfless giving are done subtly without fanfare. I am honoured to be a witness to this ministry and I can say that Mr Rego is a role model for what philanthropy should really be.

Our team has completed over 97 surgeries and procedures. We continue ti receive fresh casualties from the earthquake and our battle seems to be lost and won on a minute to minute basis. There is no predicting what might come through the door but my surgical team always rises to the challenge. A young woman came in with a fever to 103.9 and an infected scalp abscess. She required minute to minute care whilst other patients were also being treated. Multitasking is an underwhelming description of what is required of these surgical techs and surgeons. They too approach their craft and duties with a quiet but tenacious conviction and watching this theatre of survival and healing leaves one in awe.

The title Les Mise'rable has been variously translated as "The Wretched, The Poor,The Victims, The Damned, or The Miserable Ones.". The doctor, the author can state without hesitation that this description would not apply to the people of Haiti. Haitian are a proud people who despite this present challenge manage to survive, dream, laugh,and share what little they have with a stranger. For 1 week, I have had the pleasure of watching these people patiently queue for medical care, push their sickest and most vulnerable to the front of the line for treatment, and accept amputations without weeping and wailing. These people are made of some resilient substance the strength of which I have never seen before. The people of Haiti are my heroes and I will always save a special place in my heart for them.

Front the front lines of the battle,
Cj

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