ALTRUISM – today’s word of the day.
These missions are an opportunity to take oneself out of a routine and be reminded of one’s many blessings. I don’t just mean the obvious luxury of living in a first world country, though that is part of it of course. There are straight forward examples, where we compare our lives to those who are being helped, whom often have been struggling with health problems for many years, dealing with difficult circumstances. We know, for instance, that if we were ever to need a wheelchair, we could get one, there would not be a question of a family member trying to carry us in order to grant us the freedom to leave home.
However, there are also less apparent blessings that one can recognize in these circumstances as well, and that brings us to the word of the day, altruism. The volunteers here have taken time out of their lives, their families have supported them, though not everyone has an idyllic and rosy situation at home. Many may have worries relating to the health of a family member, child care, or their own health, they carry their own very real burdens and yet they choose to come here to support others. Are they helping others despite their need for support themselves? Or does their hardship make them more empathetic to the needs of others? They are here altruistically.
I start the day observing a show of altruism within the team, we are discussing with Pharmacy to simplify the process of prescribing medication, reducing the time needed for coordination. As usual I am a fly on the wall, making me sixth in that high company, because I also need to remind myself and the readers, these are highly skilled and competent individuals, applying their many talents for the benefit of others.
Mirna is 59 and has significant pain in her knees due to arthritis, the team is able to provide relief through injections, if you have felt your knee recently you may be able to imagine that inserting a needle is not a straight forward task for most, missing by a couple of millimeters means trying again and causing additional discomfort. Willingness to help is a necessary ingredient for this whole process, but this is a good reminder that the volunteers are applying their hard-earned skills to helping the people of Guatemala.
Many have decades of experience under their belt and are able to lend their expertise in different clinics, as needed. Isidra is 86 and a poorly healed leg post an accident has caused her knee to bend the wrong way. Though she is petite, the solution of family members carrying her is well below sub-par, thankfully one of the many services/devices provided are wheelchairs, and she is able to leave today with one built just for her.
Throughout the day I see examples of altruism, the whole week is testament to it, but the attitude while giving is not to be taken for granted. It may be through looks of compassion, such as what a patient is met with while she explains hey ailments to a mother/daughter team in triage. Or those of a doctor/translator team while seeing to the needs of a patient with long term and debilitating arthritis. My ignorance continues to surprise me, before today, I had not thought of the fact that news, good and bad, is often delivered by the translator, who therefore plays a significant role in the show of empathy, and not just a practical one for communication.
The attitude may also manifest itself in service with a smile, where our tired providers also look to brighten up their patients’ day. The mission provides so much real and tangible help to people, the wheelchairs, the hearing aids, the references for much needed surgeries, relief from pain, diagnoses, IVVA (i.e. cervical cancer prevention), lab work, medication, imaging, and even just explanations. Helping patients understand their problem, which may be able to alleviate their fears or may offer a practical next step. The way in which the volunteer delivers these services and information is also critical, just being with a person in their suffering is a form of compassion.
Sometimes providing information and leading to the practical next step are captured in one fell swoop. While the local health care provided is inadequate, hence our presence, it is not completely inexistent. Lester, a boy of 9 came in, quite as a mouse, try as I might I could not tease a smile out of the kid and with good reason. His arm has been broken for 15 days, with his elbow out of its socket. His father had not brought him to the hospital because he believed he could not afford it. The team of doctors were able to confirm the break, which required some manipulation of the arm, the beautiful child did not make a sound for his whole visit. Our team was able to instruct the father to proceed immediately to a hospital for care, where he would not be charged for the emergency aid, at least Lester did not have to go a 16th day with an untreated broken arm, and the risk of losing sensation and use of it.
We provide real help to so many people, I had promised myself I would reduce the posts about children, however it is difficult as our impact means so much to their (God willing) very long lives ahead. Danyeli is 2 years and 26 days old (thank you to the meticulous triage intake person). Her hand was burned a year ago, limiting its current and future use, however her mom is all smiles, the clinic is able to refer her for a surgery that will be able to greatly improve the use of her hand, for the rest of her life. Altruism is often quite gratifying.
Celestina
Team Blogger
