Picture of in the city. You can buy a movie or a tire...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
blog 2
Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck write them on the tablet of you heart.
Psalms 3:3
When I came to Haiti I did not know what to expect. The photos show a very grim desperate picture, and even thinking about how to present rehab to this picture was mind bogling. But after being here for a month I am beginning to see a different picture of Haiti. Please do not misunderstand this, there are some very grim desperate places and moments here. The average American would be appauled to live the life of an average Haitian. It involves no to minimal luxuries, using ones body as a mechanism for hard labor, and a very fragile unstable government and economey.
But what an amazing life that could also be. The Hatians place a huge emphasis on family. The 7 inpatient's demonstrate this us everyday. During rehab in the morning, at any given time a variety of family members are present during therapy, children, nieces, wives or a variety of relatives. The outpatient's demonstrate this through the lengths the family will go to, to get their loved one to therapy. Which is equally amazing is the length one will go to to get to therapy!!
Example: A young man who was continuing to have a decline in function from being able to walk Independently to having to be carried by family members arrived on the back of a moto (mo-ped) sandwich between his brother and nephew!!! (are you kidding me) Not only that, but this man and his family have traveled to the clinic 3 x to receive treatment and supplies. This is huge !! This man can not walk and has difficulty moving his arms, but his family has supported his care by carrying him (literally), assisting him with dressing, eating, toileting, will sit in the sun all day to wait to be seen by a clinican. When I asked the patient's brother who he was, he proudly stated, " I am his brother." Amazing.
So headed to the Beach last weekend. Amazing! We (the people at the compound) finally escaped the compound!! Loaded up on the Tap-Tap and headed for the beach. Scoop on the compound is that beyond the compound I can not go. Which for me is a bit difficult. Erin (the PT) and I are able to go less then 1/4 mile away from the compound during a run. A run which feels more like a parade. Trying to be discreet when you are a "Blan" and a girl is not quite possible here in Haiti. Going to the beach this weekend, there were local Haitians there swimming, and playing with their families. Two young sisters played with a boat, a whole entire family sun bathed, splashed, and washed clothes. It was a beautiful picture to watch them enjoy themselves like typical families. Nothing desperate or needy about the situation. Just good family oriented fun.
Miss you,
Jz
Psalms 3:3
When I came to Haiti I did not know what to expect. The photos show a very grim desperate picture, and even thinking about how to present rehab to this picture was mind bogling. But after being here for a month I am beginning to see a different picture of Haiti. Please do not misunderstand this, there are some very grim desperate places and moments here. The average American would be appauled to live the life of an average Haitian. It involves no to minimal luxuries, using ones body as a mechanism for hard labor, and a very fragile unstable government and economey.
But what an amazing life that could also be. The Hatians place a huge emphasis on family. The 7 inpatient's demonstrate this us everyday. During rehab in the morning, at any given time a variety of family members are present during therapy, children, nieces, wives or a variety of relatives. The outpatient's demonstrate this through the lengths the family will go to, to get their loved one to therapy. Which is equally amazing is the length one will go to to get to therapy!!
Example: A young man who was continuing to have a decline in function from being able to walk Independently to having to be carried by family members arrived on the back of a moto (mo-ped) sandwich between his brother and nephew!!! (are you kidding me) Not only that, but this man and his family have traveled to the clinic 3 x to receive treatment and supplies. This is huge !! This man can not walk and has difficulty moving his arms, but his family has supported his care by carrying him (literally), assisting him with dressing, eating, toileting, will sit in the sun all day to wait to be seen by a clinican. When I asked the patient's brother who he was, he proudly stated, " I am his brother." Amazing.
So headed to the Beach last weekend. Amazing! We (the people at the compound) finally escaped the compound!! Loaded up on the Tap-Tap and headed for the beach. Scoop on the compound is that beyond the compound I can not go. Which for me is a bit difficult. Erin (the PT) and I are able to go less then 1/4 mile away from the compound during a run. A run which feels more like a parade. Trying to be discreet when you are a "Blan" and a girl is not quite possible here in Haiti. Going to the beach this weekend, there were local Haitians there swimming, and playing with their families. Two young sisters played with a boat, a whole entire family sun bathed, splashed, and washed clothes. It was a beautiful picture to watch them enjoy themselves like typical families. Nothing desperate or needy about the situation. Just good family oriented fun.
Miss you,
Jz
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