Shattering Stories from Haiti

Here's some shattering reading from Tara Livesay (an American mom and missionary in Haiti) that puts the names and faces to just a few of the heart-breaking stories of the injured and bereaved, and also the incredible selflessness, dedication and love of the medical volunteers in Haiti. Names and faces to pray for if you want some. It is overwhelming, sobering, a real wake-up. There are specific people suffering, not just a big figure with a lot of zeroes. And there are specific people helping, loving, caring, sharing their expertise to ease the suffering and encourage the resilient, afflicted people of Haiti.

A 10-year-old boy named Jean, who had his foot amputated, badly the first time, and more of his leg, better the second time... (there are follow-up stories here and here and here; and here, where he is getting physical therapy). I am so touched by the real care and love demonstrated in all the follow-up and reaching out to people by name and with warmth and genuine concern - in the middle of such an enormous volume of devastation. How do they do it? One at a time, I suppose.

A mute man named Emmanuel.

A girl who smiled during her finger amputation. And this post explains how the volunteers drive around to pick up people who need treatment.

A 12-year-old boy who brought in his 3-year-old badly burned brother for treatment, but was so concerned about leaving his other three young siblings at home alone, and whether his parents would be mad. Follow-up here.

A one-year-old named Benjerry (yes, like the ice cream), with horrible foot injuries.

Rosemon, a boy who "lost his parents and siblings in the earthquake. He waited three days to be removed from the rubble (estimated). He has a fractured skull, a broken right arm, and a broken left leg. He will be going to live with his Grandma once he is discharged. Pray for healing in Rosemon's body and heart."

Look at this volunteer nurse job description:

Your role could include the following:

• Wound care (wound debridement, dressings, wound vac placement, etc)
• Med/surg inpatient care (with shifts being 12 hour days or nights, likely 5-6 shifts per week) with a probable patient load of 10-20 patients per nurse
• Acute care ER/OR nursing, assisting doctors in the care of injured and ill patients
• Managing the flow of patients, assisting doctors with completing medical records, gathering medications and supplies, providing discharge instructions, restocking supplies, managing the central administration desk, etc

MUST have the following qualifications:

• [snip - this is just an excerpt]
• Flexibility (you may be asked to do things that are not officially a part of your job description)
• Ability to work long hours and function in less than ideal conditions with less than adequate sleep
• Ability to submit to our medical chain of command that is already in place; we do not want people who are going to come down here and try to do their own thing (in other words...leave your egos at the door)
• Be able to fund your own travel to Florida, and possibly to Haiti (we are currently bringing in medical professionals free of charge on many flights from various locations in Florida, but this opportunity may not last)
  

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Previous medical experience in the developing world
• Ability to speak Haitian Creole
• Ability to stay 2 weeks or longer
  

While you are here, you will be staying in cramped quarters. You will likely eat snack foods most of the time and may not eat a hot meal for several days in a row. It is hot and dusty here. You will get dirty. You may not be able to shower every day. You will need to pack your bags with medical supplies from our needs list, and also bring in food for yourself (things like granola bars, fruit snacks, cereal, etc).

At the same time, you will have an very rewarding experience caring for some special and grateful patients. You will be helping save lives. And you will be working with some incredible people. This work is demanding, but very gratifying.

They found their nurses the same day, by the way. You wonderful people. You are an inspiration to the world.

Posted via email from K's Café