In January of 2010, without warning, life for the inhabitants of Haiti changed forever. For thirty seconds the ground shook, claiming nearly 300,000 people in the wake of greatest natural disaster to hit the impoverished country. A year after the earthquake, I arrived in Port au Prince to provide aid at the only trauma center in Haiti.
Hundreds of patients of all ages came though the doors of Bernard Mevs daily, as our teams fought for the survival of each. We had to adapt to an environment where pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and diagnostic materials were sparse and the patient’s survival depended on our ability to improvise with the little we had. Children died of malnutrition, malaria, cholera and other treatable diseases. And while our relentless work and dedication to each patient threatened our own sanity, we pushed forward, determined to make a difference and to save as many people as possible. We handled everything from deliveries, to machete wounds, to fitting prosthetics on child amputees.
But as many others have said before me, I believe I got out more than I was able to put into this experience. The Haitian people taught me about fortitude in the face of despair, and strength in the face of agony. I was humbled by their relentless faith as they refused to waver, even when faced with the death of their loved ones, poverty and despair. Please help me raise money to purchase medical supplies for my trip to Haiti in December, every dollar counts, and every penny will go to medical supplies and pharmaceuticals the hospital has an urgent need for. Thank you!!
Photo credit to Andrew Lichenstein
