real men: the Bombeiros
February 7, 2010 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
I live in San Francisco- for those of you are not familiar, there is a dire shortage of men here who are, shall i say, real men… ones who treat ladies well, are hard working, responsible, mature, & well mannered…. enter: the Portuguese Bombeiros.
One night at the tent hospital in Port au Prince, I was fast asleep after an exhausting but rewarding day (would have it no other way). Had my earplugs in as i always do when i sleep in the same tent with over 200 people. Felt a tug on my leg- it was friend, Holly: “want to go to the Portuguese tent?” I had been interviewed by a Portuguese journalist earlier that day- he mentioned that i should come to their camp for a shower, good food and a beer. I jumped out of my cot at Holly’s invitation, slipped on my shoes, took out my earplugs, and grabbed a cute purse of mine which had only laid in the hay underneath my cot up until that point- we were offf…
One might say, what the hell were you doing thinking about frivolous things such as a handsome men’s dimples, or self-clean toilets when most Haitians live a life of misery. You are right- if it had not been me indulging i could see myself judging my actions- clearly jealous of such a person. Thing is- to distract oneself by beauty- it is natural- in a disaster we all have to let off steam. It had been 4 intense days up until that point- never having left the hospital even. When i arrived to their camp the Bombeiros offered me the moon: fruit salad with rum drizzled ontop, heineken beer (cold!!), croissants & cheese, my very own flame repellant white suit, commemorative pins, T-shirts, a non-stinky toilet, scalp massage & …..(gasp!!) they washed my hair!!! I had not been able to up until that point- with 200+ employees of the camp plus who knows how many patients & their families we often ran out of water. One of the lead Bombeiros got out a solar heated water & washed away…..
Let’s face it: i love the Bombeiros- they are handsome, sweet, attentive, and do good for the world- they set up a tent camp in PAP’s biggest stadium. They have responded to many a natural disaster including Iran’s earthquake in Bam in 2003. THey are the cream of the crop- an elite bunch- called the yellow canaries. Cute- their name matches their trousers. They even chivalrously came to wish me off at the PAP airport- one came back personally with yet another gift- a t-shirt that was size small- “your size” (clearly knows the way to my heart)
Thank you, reader- and thank you Bombeiros- for letting me indulge in some stress relief. Please don’t judge me.
I promise to go to Lisboa soon!
no home. no family. no name.
February 5, 2010 | Filed Under Haiti | Leave a Comment
One day’s at Project medishare I was assisting a doctor & nurse team, when a woman came in with a little boy clinging to her, like a baby. The woman was a white American lady who lives in the DOminican Republic- she explained that she was in town visiting her friends at their mission when a motorcycle taxi dropped off a little Hatian boy at their front door & sped off. When they opened the gate he was shaking and curled in a ball. The little boy clung to her as she told the story- he buried his face into her neck and chest- she had flimsy towel seperating her skin from his- his skin was covered in what looked like old burns. His face was badly damaged- puss and a severe eye infection- to put it mildly. The little guy was in so much pain. It was clear that this woman really cared for him. He was an urgent patient and the doctors and nurse attended to him immediately. It was interesting to watch how various doctors of various specialities viewed him. First they thought that he had burns- then they got an infectious disease doc over - he declared that it was a rare case of meningitis- one that i cannot even pronounce- meningacaca or something like that (i always clarified “I am not a medical person!”). We then all then had to take cipro and put on masks. She told us that the poor little guy was restless and hardly slept the nite before- would not leave from being held like a baby- she stayed up with him. He appeared badly malnourished and frightened. We needed to get some nourishment into him, but to even put his hospital band on his tiny little ankle appeared to be very painful for him- he squirmed and tried to rip it off. A nurse gave him a sedation so that we could get an IV into him. When he first came in they thought he was 6 years old because he was so small- but once he calmed and was able to lay down we realized he was older. He slept- and the woman who was helping him finally got to call her family- take a cipro herself- and could better tell us the rest of his story. Out of all the patients i came in contact with he was the one who tugged at my heart the most- he was in so much pain and could not even see out of one of his eyes as it was pussed and scabbed over. We did not have an ophtho in the house who could do any eye exam or surgery on him. I was told that maybe the US military would airlift him to the US Comfort- a 1000 bed ship hospital. I raced outside and found a man in grey and black camoflage that i recognized from the day befroe when a different patient went to the US Comfort. I pled with him- he came to look at him. A hospital admin told me that our little guy- who had no name- was better served here than the Comfort- maybe an optho would show up here in the next days- she was pretty certain there was not an ophtho on the US Comfort. I cleaned the missionary lady and her clothes off with alcohol wipes (blood had fallen)- was an honor to serve someone who had been so selfless. She had had him so close to her for so long & now we knew he had menigitis, so that was not good news for her- but she did not seem to care- she was still so worried about him. Her and i chatted- both so sad that they would not be taking him to the Comfort. We brainstormed more ideas- she would go with him to Miami- i ran out to the communcation tent & ran our idea by the military guy & the hospital admin. Unfortunatly noone is allowed to take a child out without a relative- which makes sense- and this guy is clearly an orphan- probably was before the quake. he has been in rough shape for some time- it was obvious. He probably had been living on the streets for sometime. WHo knows how he got the burns- or when he got the menigitis. Discouraged, we sat by his bed as he slept. A mother came in with her four month old baby who looked more like a preemie fresh from the woumb- the doctor I was working at & I tended to her- got IVs in her. An OR doc told me that they could probably use my psych skills then because the baby was likely not going to make it- they told the mom this possibility already. Mom looked dazed as she squatted next to the cot we put her daughter on. I kept running between the mom of the baby- and the missionary lady with our little friend. “What about if i get a friend in Miami who is willing to adopt him so that he can go to Miami for care?” she asked- many many were going to Miami to have treatment- just for the day. I raced to find the military dude & hospital admin agan. THey did not think our idea was as crazy as we thought. “That may be a possibility.” I went into tell my friend- she started calling Miami- to ask a friend if hs would adopt a child & see that he get care at the hospital in MIami. Just then 3 guys in military fatigues and helmets came in- AIr Force- they looked closer at our little guy- had a few conversations with the admin & black/grey fatigues- he said ”We think we can take him to the comfort- WE HAVE AN OPHTHO.” I wanted to jump up and down with joy- got so involved as if i was their social worker. “10 minutes” they said and left- i went back to check in on baby and mom. Baby was miraculously looking better already. Mom said that this was the best baby had looked like in a long time- she still looked dazed and disconnected. I asked the doctor how it was looking… He looked at me with his glasses all the way down his nose- “I think she is going to make it” as he was putting on another set of new rubber gloves tending to a patient who had giant pins in her leg to reset it. Raced back to my friend- exchanged lovelies and emails- “Do you have wings?” she asked me. THat was maybe the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time.
Nuts n Bolts
February 4, 2010 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Not so fast- that is not really an AMerican Airline’s flight- it is a plane that Project Medishare chartered between Miami & Port au Prince. Commercial flights were cancelled (up until limited service to the Dominican Republic which re-opened today) so the only way to Haiti was on private plane- mainly for aid workers, or a military flight. Here we are at 2AM boarding a chartered (rented) AA plane- check in was more civilized than current commercial flights- we just showed up, when our name was called we filled out a few papers- showed them out passport, gave them our bag- and then got on a bus to take us to our plane. THere was no security at all- but all that has changed now. Volunteer American Airlines workers helped us find seats, and fit as much luggage into the overtops as we could- there was a spirit of togetherness- something you rarely feel these days on a commercial flight! I sat next to a man who works the AA tower at JFK- a Hatian man who was coming down to Port au Prince for 2 hours only- to bring his wife’s family some much needed food, supplies, and cash.
above: you’ll never see me this happy on an American Airlines plane at 2AM.
The sun rose as we took the 2 hour flight to Port au Prince. Flight staff encouraged us to take all the blankets and pillows we wanted once on the ground. As we taxied on the runway we went by massive amounts of aid stacked high, helicopters, tents displaying flags from such places as Portugal and Qatar, and friendly military dude’s smiling. I have never been in such a situation before. We took a lorrie about a half mile to the Project Medishare/University of Miami base camp… took about 10 minute to drop our things off (find an empty cot to take over), use the toilet & then we went right to work…
the tent we slept in- comfy cots atop of hay- with about 300 other folks- it was actually no problem at all to catch Zs here.
…and here’s the “toilet”…
Blue
February 4, 2010 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
One day while we were doing Physical Therapy (PT) in a village clinic with some of the patients the UM had discharged, a man strumed on his guitar. I just watched video I shot of the PT team in action while we were there- the sounds of the man playing his guitar in the background are haunting. Although the patients had smiles on their faces since they made so much progress (many walked when before that thought they needed a wheel chair!!) the music was a somber reminder of the reality on the ground. As i watched this video i was finally able to start to feel some of the emotions that i had to hold back on at the time- so that i could keep going and focus on what i was doing- also not good to cry in front of patients b/c you are so sad about something they cannot easily escape, rite?! Something that is always in the back of my mind in Port au Prince is the question of why they have been born into what they have and why i was born where i was. It makes no sense that people who are poor, work hard, and only want simple things have gotten shat on (4 lack of a better word)… meanwhile there is culture just north that rewards individualism, greed and self promotion. Whenever I step foot back into the US i have this shock- the individuality and selfishness is acidic when you have been away. I often want to shake people back in the US and say “Wake up- do you know how lucky you are- you do not need all you have- give it to someone else- or help someone else- quit thinking about your wardrobe or image!!” Of course, I can;’t do that, so sometimes I am simply a bit reclusive after trips- things outside seems vulgar, fake and excessive. People jabbing away on their cell phones are the worst in my book. I am trying to learn to roll with it a bit better than that- for whatever lessons i need to learn- i should focus on evolving my own judging habits, rather than telling others what they ought to do.
University of Miami hospital in Port au Prince is saving lives.
February 1, 2010 | Filed Under Haiti | 1 Comment
I had no idea what to expect working with project medishare- and glad that i did not. As i wrote, thought I would be doing “logistics” work… which i learned means alot of operational stuff- not so much my forte but of course i can do it- and happily so. However when they caught wind that i was a psych i was pulled into a few cases- I also ended up acting as physical therapist “technician” and a nurse assistant. Much of the reason for this is that there is a dire need of nurses, PTs & OTs. So if you know any please send them Project Medishare’s way. I will do my best the next few days to fill you in a bit of what i have been up to the past week. In a nutshell my experience has left me in awe of the people of Haiti’s resilience and the hard work that docs, nurses, and other medical staff put in at the hospital. 20 hour days seemed to be the norm. I have mad respect for most i met there- some who will be friends for life. Thank you Project Medishare for putting together such an incredible group and for existing in the 1st place- what you have is Haiti’s biggest and most high tech hospital going right now- you are saving many many lives.
Images of me working in Haiti on NBC Nightly News w/ Brian Williams
January 26, 2010 | Filed Under Haiti | 1 Comment
More soon, beat tired…
Four of your questions…
January 24, 2010 | Filed Under Haiti | Leave a Comment
Q: What!? How?
Well, I did disater relief work in the past- in Haiti- so am connected with folks on the ground there & there is a need rite now.
Q: But doing what, exactly?!?
Logistics. Which means anything that is needed to support a team of docs & nurses- I cannot say exactly what but it could be unloading boxes, organizing patients, organizing supplies, arranging doctor’s flights, setting up a tech center, cleaning bed pans… will know more monday AM & share that info with you. Have heard that there are many many medical peeps on the ground there but hardly any logistics folk. Now that the port is open they have access to supplies that have been waiting to get in all week. Does anyone want doctors & nurses wasting their time lifting boxes or getting things organized (more less calling American Airlines?) when they could be doing their usual saving lives?
Q: I want to do what you are doing- how do you do it?!!
That is a complicated question… it depends on your experience, physical shape, etc-. Much will be evolving/changing rapidly on the ground but one thing is for certain there is a need in Haiti- will be for quite some time (& has been for decades). I recommend finding an NGO/situation that your experience and background best compliment- there will be a need in nearly every sector & you probably have more skills & savy than you realize- so think outside of the box (I am not a logistics person by trade 4 the record).
Q: When do you arrive to Port au Prince?
Monday morning before the sun rises… check in at MIA is 3AM. I am en route to MIA as I type. xoxo
From “bring a pot to piss in & all your own water” to Geraldo Rivera & AC on overdrive
January 23, 2010 | Filed Under Haiti | Leave a Comment
Okay Okay so we were told that we will have access to nothing- spoke to a man i will be working with who is very CIA-esque.. he had suggested bringing a free standing tent since we likely would not even have a stick or ground that could hold a tent up… I got advice on cleaning water using pens, filters, & the ole bleach & bandana method- but then i started receiving texts from Aaron (T-mobile & Verizon have waived roaming fees to & fro Haiti til 1/31.. AT&T has not- filthy bastards). Here are Aaron’s texts:
logistically this place needs us. Lots of people on the U of Miami base. 200 pax hospital and geraldo is next to me.
Phones work here. Tmobile is free. People have comps and I am working with a guy to set up wifi
Computers are likely safe here
Tent and mosquito net not at all necessary. They have a huge communal tent w/ cots.
don’t need to bring water, maybe powered gatorade. Maybe bring some water but don’t load up tho
There are pallets of water here. At night it is COLD! Sleeping bag is a must!
.. it was then clarified that it was so cold at night b/c they crank the AC in the tent at night! so a bit different than we were bracing ourselves for. I asked Aaron about coffee (if I have that i can do anything) he said there is coffee in the CNN tent- I was advised to bring makeup & be ready to bat my eyelashes. Will keep you updated- clearly there is wi-fi. When not working, i’ll blog. xoxo
Headed back to Haiti on Monday….
January 22, 2010 | Filed Under Haiti | Leave a Comment
You never know what is going to happen in life. I was just sitting here watching the coverage of Haiti- feeling helpless and heart-broken, while also trying to recover from my trip to Rwanda, Uganda & the DRC… when a call came in from my friend Aaron. Aaron & I worked together at www.hodr.org last winter doing hurricane relief work in Gonaives, Haiti- i have blogged about that here in the past. Aaron is a bit of a Haiti connector/conduit… he speaks Creole, has many friends that he keeps in contact with back in Gonaives, and he also has this finger on the pulse of what is going on in the disaster relief world. Aaron has now hooked up with a medical group, www.projectmedishare.org who sends doctors down to Haiti. Many doctors from across the states have joined them on the groud in Port au Prince as soon as they could following the recent 7+ quake. Aaron recruited me to join him in giving the medical teams logistical support on the ground. He just arrived to PAP today & said that now aid is streaming in (the port is fixed!) they need some definite assistance in getting all the goods & people organized– enter: logistics! I will blog & update from there while I can.
above: Myself, Jeanene & Tamara- girls i worked with last year in Gonaives, Haiti. Tamara will be joining us in PAP- great to reunion with her and Aaron!
You may be asking how i can do this- well good question & I hope to answer a few of your Qs while also busting my butt packing & prepping for my flight toMiami tomorrow. WORK: yes, i do have a day job- but i also have saved up personal days, have a very compassionate boss with a big heart, and fortunately the ability to adjust my schedule in times of personal need. VERY FORTUNATE- I KNOW!
above: when Aaron is not kicking arse, hauling rubble & saving lives, he is pole dancing at an auto parts store in Gonaives…
So the deal is we each need to bring every single thing we will eat, consume or need with us- that includes all water & food- we can assume that we will have nothing there- not electricity or a water source. for days i have been obsessing on how i am going to take down enough drinking water- looking into filtering systems, etc. Food- i am going to be pretty sick of balance bars & nuts in due time. Another thing is sleeping- where will be sleeping? I don’t know… my own tent. I am used to packing lite but this is just the opposite- i do not want to forget one thing.. and am not used to dressing for rain and also hard physical work- but it will all come together by Monday AM, have no fear… I do not want any of this to take away the focus from the utter terror that the every day Hatian has had to endure- even before this earthquake happened. To be slightly inconvenienced (or at least that is the perception at home) is really is no big deal & puts many things in perspective. In some ways, i wish everyone had to do this- just to appreciate what we have & have more patience & understanding for those who have been dealt a raw deal. We are really lucky in life here in the N. America/Europe/Aust/NZ.. As far as I’m concerned it is our duty to serve others who have not been born into such relative wealth & luxury.
above: One of my favorite kids in Gonaives, New Years Eve 08/09.
Like you, my heart aches for Haiti
January 15, 2010 | Filed Under Haiti | Leave a Comment
A few of my pix from hurricane relief efforts in Haiti in 2008…
I am shocked and saddened that Haiti was again hit by natural disaster. As you hear on the news, everyday life before the quake was incredibly difficult and full of suffering- I cannot even begin to imagine what people have to endure there now. Life makes no sense and clearly bad things happen to good people for no reason…
May all suffering end, not just in Haiti, but everyplace on this planet.
I will write more on this soon, but in the meantime i reccommend that everyone donate to one or many of the following:: The Red Cross, MSF (Doctors w/out borders), Oxfam, or UNICEF- those are the people we worked with on the ground in Haiti last year- i think it is best to donate to organizations who have long standing presence In Haiti.
I was always amazed by the way Hatians could laugh, smile, work so hard and carry on despite the odds stacked against them so severely for so long… They are some of the most resilient people I have ever encountered.
99.9% of us have never had to tap into the reserves of strength that Hatians tap into on a daily basis from an extremely young age.
These are just some random thoughts- will write more soon & also make some suggestions on more ways to help there (in addition to money) as time goes on. Haiti, we love you & hold you dear. 