Week 1.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the holy spirit.
Romans 15:13

A small sliver of my possible purpose in Haiti was seen yesterday. Friday is a relaxed day for the therapists, we had a slow morning seeing our inpatient's. No outpatient's came in the afternoon that usually keeps us moving and shaking to around 2 in the afternoon. Since Erin (the PT ) and I are mostly in charge (ha, funny thought) we decided Friday would be "casual" (aka wearing shorts vs scrubs) and would be "game day" for the 7 inpatients.

Our first real game was a huge success. Slow to start we divided the inpatient's consisting of a severe femur fracture, 3 strokes, 2 spinal cord injuries, a hip injury into 2 teams to play a game of soccer/basketball. The patient's LOVED it and are extremely competitive. The game continued on for ~45 mins with the patient's completely engrossed, seeing themselves and each other without disabilities. For a brief moment these people appeared to regain a since of what was prior to an injury that has left them dependent on others for care and given to a life of being outcast  from their own society. As Erin and I facilitated an improvement in the quality of life for these people, else where in the clinic was a sharp contrast.

During that afternoon while we were enjoying the game, our coworkers were attempting to save a women's life while going to battle against Haiti's lack of resources and general decreased concern for the urgency of human life. The women was pregnant, but was bleeding. While at the clinic she stopped breathing, after rescue breath were given, the next logical step was to get her to a hospital, but Haiti or the grim reaper is a strong opposition. After FINALLY finding a vehicle that would take her, the vehicle breaks, she stops breathing again and is revived, is placed in a Tap-tap (a caravan taxi type vehicle), stand still traffic, very bumpy roads, and she finally makes it past the armed guard to get into the hospital. Then she has to be carried up a flight of stairs where she was placed in a bed. The outcome of this patient is not known.

 So take home point is that what is life without quality of life. Hopefully in our time here we can find a way to provide that.

Update to my status:
I have transitioned nicely to living in Haiti. 1 week down with 51 left to go. Yes, I am staying for a year. I actually love it. Life it simple and chaotic . The food is wonderful or not edible at all. The runs are beautiful, but short. I am very safe, but very walled.

I was asked if I have fell in love with a Haitian yet. Which my friends and family seemed to think would happen.... The answer is yes. How could you not. The people are beautiful and full of charisma. They have beautiful features, and though are very poor take great pride in there appearance. They are very strong, and have tight taunt muscles. Dark serious eyes, but will laugh and joke with you. They are wonderful teachers, though their patient's for my attempts at Creole wains. They love to dance, joke, and love. So Yes, I am in love.

Love you and miss you,

JZ