Our last day was filled with packing, seeing patients, saying goodbyes, and transitioning to the next team. We had another water fight with our patients with spinal cord injuries.
We had time to visit with the PT Tech staff who continued to say what a good team we were! They had begun the week making it clear that they leave at 4:00 when their day is over. The workers make $10 USD a day not matter what their job is. If they are late to their shift, they must make up the time that day. Workers also receive a meal and training. By Wednesday, we found the PT Techs staying longer and longer. They wanted to learn all that they could from us. Apparently we made learning fun!
Two of the PT techs reflected on what they had learned during the week. We helped them learn their anatomy but they also learned much more. They said that even when they were in another part of the clinic doing wound care, they would listen to me work with the patients. They heard laughter and saw smiles. They and the patients were able to experience joy which is a rare commodity in Haiti they told me. Furthermore, they shared that from watching and working with me this week, they learned it is most important to build a rapport with your patient before anything else. We have to work with the whole patient (and their families) not just broken bodies they said. PT is much more than that! They "get it" they said! PT is their passion. And that is why they love what they do for their fellow Haitians. If your work is not your passion, it is not good for the patients they said. What great insights!
Later, one of the PT techs told me that I am an important part of Haiti’s history because every time Wilfrid tells his story, he always talks about Sue PT who was his first PT. PTs give hope when there is not much hope around. Without PT, Wilfrid says he would not be able to walk and help others. He is now married and has a baby boy! He hopes to make Haiti proud as he participates in a future Paralympics!
Vangine my translator from Jimani returned on Friday and spent the day helping me translate. It was good to be working with Vangine again. On Saturday,we had time to re-tell the story of how Vangine went to find Wilfrid and Emmanuelle in the refugee camp at Love-a-Child in Fond Parisien so they could be fit for their prosthetic legs with Dr. Bob Gailey in early April. A prosthetic limb in Haiti means giving someone back their life. Wilfrid is often asked if he is a big boss man to have such an amazing leg! He says no and explains that his job is now to show others and all of Haiti that there is life after amputation. Wilfrid has now been able to get married, be a dad, and have a productive job as PT/OT/Prosthetic Tech. Wilfrid, Vangine, and Cedieu told me I am a busy mom because I have a big family of my American boys and now I have a family of my Haitian boys who love working as PTs. Another teary moment!
One of the Haitian residents is working at Medishare to complete his medical training. On the day of the earthquake, he had a very bad headache so he stayed home from school. His entire group of classmates and professors were killed that day in the quake. He is the only survivor of that class of future doctors. It is wonderful to see the passion he has for medicine. The weight he carries must be enormous. There are so many stories. . . Resiliency! It is good to listen. Creativity counts in Haiti! Things move forward slowly.
Eventually, we had our last ride across town to the airport. The Haitian airport is always a crazy experience. I was carrying an extra bag back with a broken ultrasound and parts to an x-ray machine that needed repair. (I was a mule!) The old suitcase it was packed in was not so mobile as the wheels were broken and there was no handle. Adding to the chaos was the fact that last week several volunteers had to stay an extra night in Port Au Prince as too many seats had been sold on the airplane. We were all a bit worried about getting a seat on the plane. All seats were basically “stand-by.”
Finally, one of the Haitian-Canadian physicians had us all do the self check-in rather than standing in the long line to the counter. The problem was then what to do with our luggage! Would it really be taken to the plane if we left it in the lobby by the check-in kiosk? Everything turned out just fine! When we made it to the other side of security/immigration, we enjoyed one last Prestige beer. We still did not have seats and were told we would be called up by name. One of the physicians from Chicago – Dr. Vanessa – was called up. She was told she would be upgraded to first class with 6 of her friends. She grabbed several of us and we waited for our boarding passes!
Once on the plane, we all seemed to realize how tired we were. As the plane took off, it hit us that we all had left a huge piece of our hearts in Haiti. We were a good team – a “Dream Team”. We learned so much from our patients, our Haitian colleagues, and each other.
The muled suitcase was handed off to the appropriate contact in the lobby of the La Quinta Inn with all parties wearing their sunglasses! It was a bit like a spy movie - although we did exchange contact info!
At our final dinner together in Miami at the Cuban restaurant, we enjoyed Cuban food, sangria, and live music. . . We then began planning our reunion trip!
Piti piti plen kay: A little lamp (or light) can fill the whole house… Our hearts have been filled with the light of love from the Haitian people we were honored to serve.
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