Continuing On With Memories

While writing the last post I was flooded with memories. I dug through my papers and found the folder with my journal from my first trip to Haiti. I am transcribing it here. So many things changed so quickly and now the hospital is in a permanent building and with a much smaller staff.

When I go back to Haiti I want to work with Jordan, see how I can help him succeed. He is such a special man.

My day 1 journal is a blog already so I will begin with day 2.
Tuesday, January 19th
Hospital Beds 75-80Adults 70-80 Kids
15,000 square feet of tents, OR's, and Supplies in a 1 acre space.

New Porta Potty opened last night and I used it first! It's the small things for me.

Not sure what to write today. It's sad to see how this scene affects the workers. My little tent is somewhat of a safe haven for nurses when they "just need a moment".

It's just two weeks post earthquake and the people being brought here are critical. Some patients are on DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders from the the Dr.'s. The families cannot understand why the nurses aren't doing anything to help the patient, to keep them alive and the nurses have to explain to the family why they are no longer able to help the loved one when the aren't breathing or go in to arrest. With the language barrier and the busy hospital words get confused and the families think they are letting their family member die or worst case, killing them. All I can do is pull them up a chair, get them a tissue and let them be alone.

I was so exhausted yesterday and it felt like the clock was going backwards. Once I was in bed (12:30a after a spit bath) I zonked out until 7:30a. The tent has a/c at night. The generator kicks on (not sure what time) but I chose a cot next to one of the generators near the back of the tent. All I could hear was the generator going and not snoring or talking. It was great. I woke up at some point and was freezing! I pulled the sleeping bag over me and went back to sleep.

What I have learned in just 34 hours:
Indoor plumbing is great. I will never take for granted the sound of a flush toilet.
I can sweat for 2 days without a shower and live through it.
Baby wipes are great and don't just wipe babies.
I'm a 41 year old with a mild diaper rash; yes it can happen.
People have huge hearts.

This evening after "dinner" the patients began singing hymns. I could spend hours trying to come up with the words to describe what it felt like to be dirty and hot and tired and then hear the beautiful voices begin to sing praise but I'd fall short. These people are mangled, scarred, they are amputees and some have head wounds, broken limbs and sick babies. They have no home nothing, and what do they do? The SING! They Praise! It was unbelievable. All workers within earshot piled in to the hospital tent to listen and join in clapping and singing. Doctors, nurses, aides, all crying. It was a moment I'll never forget, there are no words.

Day 3

Being here is like camp albeit a sad, wounded, helicopters flying over in a M*A*S*H episode kind of way camp but what I mean by "camp" is the bond with the others. There are groups here from all over the world. One of the nurses, Dee, who has been in Haiti for 10 days and working with the wound patients came to say good-bye tonight. She had gone around and said good-bye to all of her patients and I could see how much she cared and how emotional it was for her. She's leaving these people she has tended to since 4 days post earthquake and now must say good-bye not knowing what will happen to them.

Dee came in to the wound care tent to say bye to me. She told me that I've done a great job and she feels that because of the care I showed to the team that every wound they dressed, I dressed too and every person they helped to heal I help to heal too. I was floored and since this is a night for tears...well you know.

A lot of the children here are orphans. Every day a group leaves for the orphanage, it's so sad.

Day 4

Another baby born last night! Wow! It's such an amazing sight to see the scrunched up face of a brand new baby, to hear the cries and see the happiness this brings to the medical staff. All day yesterday the nurses were in and out of the tent checking on the momma and just waiting for when the baby would be born. They have all seen birth before but these babies are special, they represent hope and a fresh start here in a place where all day what we see are sheets placed gently over the face of someone who died and the somber, sad looks of the families and volunteers. A baby!

Today I look around at everyone working and pitching in and just doing what has to be done. I wonder what's on the news at home? Is it still on nightly? Or has everyone moved on to who's dating Madonna or which girl was kicked off of The Bachelor? My priorities have changed...boy have they changed.

So many amputees. Kids, babies, teens, adults, elderly. Unbelievably sad and even more so when you understand that in Haiti amputees don't get work, it's a stigma. I am sure this will change with the coming years because of so many amputations, they won't have a choice. Also sad that the patients don't want PT because this will help them get better, if they get better they get discharged, no where to go. As long as they are in the hospital their family gets 3 meals a day. Rice and beans, chicken noodle soup and water. Nothing outside the camp for them. I am told this situation is being worked on but we can tell the citizens are getting restless; we have gun shot wounds coming in and we can hear the shots and honks and yelling outside the walls of the camp. I am safe here in the camp which is more than I can say for the people outside in the street.

I've also been thinking about travel and how important it is to get out there and see the world. If you haven't traveled this is just another disaster about people in a third world country. If you've traveled and experienced life in other countries and lived in their culture then you see that these people are just like you and me. Their hearts beat just like mine, they smile and cry and love, just like me. They deserve a good life.

It's past mid-night, I'm over emotional.

Ate my first MRE today! Spaghetti and meatballs, pb & crackers. I skipped the raisins and the oatmeal cookie. It wasn't half bad. A bunch of MRE's were shipped in and are on pallets in the sleeping tent. You know it's been a lean few days if I am excited about an MRE!

.......Final Day, already time to go and I am NOT ready. Will work most of the morning and then take off for home.

Not processing this yet. So sad.

It's Been A While...but I'mmmmm Baacckkkk!

Hello all. It has been way too long since I bucked up and wrote in this blog. I was intimidated by someone who didn't like my writing. Too many grammatical errors. I quit writing out of fear. Really?! I had the most intense times of my life in Haiti, learned the most I've ever learned in my life and saw things that you would think would teach me to NOT be intimidated by the small things.

Well, I'm back.

Someone else said to me this last weekend. Get over it, you're a teacher and people listen to you so just get over it. Write. No matter what.

Since coming back from Las Vegas in April a lot has changed. I came back after spending 5 days with my Haiti friends talking and basically coming down from the last trip to PAP. Speaking to a great group of people, talking with and singing with this crowd that was so hyped up to help out the people of Haiti. Speaking with these people and telling about my time at Project Medishare again and again made me realize just how materialistic I was and I wanted to pare down big time, I wanted to change.

If you spoke to my friends and family I think they'd say I was a lot of things other than materialistic but truth is I have a nice car, a nice home, I'm never hungry, I have my health, my friends and my family. We are accessible to each other and able to be here for each other. I came home from Las Vegas and said, 'We've been talking about selling the house and moving and starting fresh. We've wanted to change our lives for years, let's do it.'

Three weeks later the house was on the market, we had done one purge on the house and I had mentally moved on. Fast forward through the summer where I kept in touch with Jordan and we put money in to a pay pal account for him to get his passport and to take care of his family. Good thoughts and prayers were all I could give Haiti over the summer.

Mid-August the house went under contract and the job of packing up the house, getting all of the inspections (which frankly turned in to a nightmare), finding contacts in Phoenix, etc. and the next thing you know it's beginning of November and we're house free, packed and on the road.

Thanks to my friends (thank you Christine) and family (thanks Amy, thanks Lee!), and Laura Maurice from The Purple Cow who held a shoe drive at her store I was able to pack up 3 large boxes of kids shoes and clothing for the school in Fontamara, Haiti.

Now in Arizona looking for work. I was asked what I wanted for my birthday and I said, 'I want to go to Haiti!' So I am now looking for airfare and dates and hope to be leaving for 2 weeks to help at the school late November or early December!
Yeah!

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

A Celebration: Don't Forget Haiti

Hi! Here is the Promo Piece for Las Vegas. Pass the word. Do you know anyone in Las Vagas? Or anyone in the press? Pass this on. Thanks!

Las Vegas Baby!

I am proud to say that I have been asked to speak at a Celebration Event for Haiti in Las Vegas on Saturday the 17th if April. Cassandra Hepburn is putting this together and she is terrific. Cassandra and I met in Haiti and became fast friends. She is a wonderful human being who is doing some really terrific things to help orphanages in Haiti.

We want to come together with music and speakers to let everyone know that Haiti still needs help but that great things are being done. It shows what can happen when people put religion and politics aside and work hand-in-hand for their brothers and sisters.

I am happy! I am looking forward to this opportunity.

Wondering If I Made A Difference

I have been home a week now and I am in reflective mode. I miss being at the Project Medishare Field Hospital. I miss living in my Shelter Box with Lisa. I miss the heat, the smell, the noise, helicopters and airplanes 24/7, I even miss the 4:30am wake-up call from the speakers at the airport. I learn something new about myself each time I go to Haiti and each day that I am there but I often wonder am I really helping? I do what I can and I try to do it from my heart and for no other reason than this is what we need to be doing - helping our fellow man- but once I get home I wonder if I made a difference at all.

And then I remember:
When friends from home and fellow volunteers learned I was going back for Round 3 they rallied around and donated much needed items. When I needed a place to sleep for a few hours before heading to Haiti and a room for a night on the return my new friends opened their doors to me and gave me transport. I continue to be amazed at the American Spirit and the large hearts of the people I've met from all across the globe. I have seen first hand what can be done when people unite. There are no politics, no history, no religion. There is just a group of people who have a common cause and work together toward a common goal.

By the time I got to the airport for the trip to Port-au-Prince I was lugging 2 large roll duffel bags, a roll bag, a tent that holds up to 19 people, and 8 boxes. All these boxes and duffel filled with sheets and kid's clothes, shoes and toys, crayons and coloring books, bubbles, stuffed animals, suckers and books for kids. It was amazing and I worried that I couldn't get it all checked in for cargo but of course it all worked out. I was able to deliver a tent to Jordan from Dr. Michelle along with shoes and sheets. It felt so good to get the goods down there and be able to give them out.

Still I wondered that first night, am I making a difference?

The next morning I woke up early and went to work learning my way around the Logistics Tent. With the help of the crew I learned what my duties would be and shadowed a couple of the workers to learn the ropes. Unfortunately first thing in the morning (6am) we were met with 2 deaths, both babies. This is something I will go in to in detail in another post but needless to say it's not pleasant. As the day wore on the heat came (funny how you can block that part out when you get home) and the fans were blowing hot air.

A beautiful Haitian girl that I hadn't met greeted me by name and said she had something for me. She handed me a folded piece of yellow lined notebook paper. It was a letter from Jordan. Here are his words verbatim, I have left out some of his personal information but I think it's important to post this in his words. This letter answered whether or not I belonged in Haiti and I no longer wonder if I made a difference.

Dear Beloved Christine,

I search all around the universe to find a sweet word in order to thank you, unfortunately, that word is not exist yet. Allow me to greet you in the precious name of Love, because everything was created by Love.

Christ, you are more than a friend for me...some say there's no fate, for me it's different, if it weren't for fate I would not have you. I write to you just to let you know exactly the way I am living, you show me too much, I have nothing to hide to you.

Christine, I am from a poor family, where my dad didn't care of my mother nor me, but since my childish I thought of being something in life, that's why I went to school, after high school I studied Electronic, Computer programming besides all I became a teacher.

...My friend, I have so much to explain to you, because by now I feel that I find a friend who cares of me, thank you for what you did for me, thank you for what you have done for me, thank you for what you are doing for me and for all that you'll have to do in the future. I am not ashamed...because I know what God wants no one can prevent it from happening.

...you make me happy again, I didn't think that I would find someone who so cares of me. Once more, thank you my guiding star.

Sincerely yours,
Jordan

I can add no more, I think this speaks for itself and it speaks volumes about how a little love and a helping hand can change forever the life of the one who received and the one who gave.

Thank you Lisa

Lisa just sent me this picture. Now I have a pic of me and Jordan together.

A picture's worth a thousand words

Little Boy Lost -PTSD in the flesh, he doesn't talk or smile or move from the bed. Poor Little one. He was trapped in his house with his family after the earthquake. He's the only survivor.





Mario and Jordan - Haitian workers
Jordan now has a tent courtesy of Dr. Michelle. He calls it a "mansion".


This little beauty lost her leg to amputation after the quake. She likes to have her picture taken so she can see herself on the screen.


A couple of the orphans in camp. They are so loving and smiley. It's unbelievable what they've gone through and yet they trust the adults completely. They are good soccer players too!


Even in their struggles they smile.



Tiny little bundles of love. It's great to go in to hold the babies and have to stand in line behind the soldiers who have come over on their time off to take care of the little ones, feed them, change them. A couple of young guys were arguing over who got to hold the baby next. "Time's Up" one told the other.


Want a shirt? Call 702-427-6667. $35 and proceeds go to 5 different orphanages in Haiti.

Last Full Day In Haiti

Hello everyone. Well, it has been a crazy, good, bad, sad, unbelievable 10 days. Sometimes it feels like I got here yesterday and sometimes it feels like I have been here a year.

The emotional roller coaster is the hardest to deal with and it's essential that we keep our emotions in check. If you know me you know that keeping my emotions to myself is a tough one. BUT here I do it well. In one day we saw a birth, 3 deaths, an orphan come in, heard gunshots at night (don't worry I am fine on base), heard the wailing of a grieving parent and then the singing of children. It's up and down and up and down and I wouldn't want to be any where else.

It's hard sometimes to sit out in the "quad" with a cold soda and a cheeseburger having a good chat and knowing that less than 20 yards from you is an isolation tent with a dying patient and 40 yards away is the morgue. It's hard to see but necessary for the volunteers to relax and let off some steam. This is an important element of survival here and that is to bond with others around you.

To help me relax I hold the babies. I have fallen for one in particular. Will post her picture here.

Home soon, so many stories in my head and hope to get them out once back. WOW! Third time, can't believe it.

Hot hot hot today

Well, today was somewhat like sitting in a dry sauna for the entire day. BUT the group I am working with are so terrific and we do have a great time. AND the UN is here tonight to serve hamburgers and hot dogs, beer, soda, and chips. Would it be bad to have both a hamburger AND a hot dog??

So many things have changed around here. One thing I have noticed with each trip after January is the volunteer workers are more relaxed. A lot of parties on the nights that the UN comes to "town". Poker games and little groups of laughter, it's really nice. The only thing is there is no curfew so after 11 I get a little antsy with the noise. So far it's not too bad and it is nice to hear people laughing after seeing people crying in corners and taking a break to put their head down because they are sad. So laughter at night is good.

I went out to the living room area for the first time the other night. It's actually quite cozy. This place is reminding me more and more of a M*A*S*H episode every day.

Not much to report. I cannot believe it is already Wednesday. The time is really flying.

I'll get on tomorrow and try to come up with a story or two.

C

ICE CREAM!!!!!

Today is a hot one! We have been sweltering in the tent all day working on cleaning up and making new procedures, hanging out. Adina the wonderful went to the Quickshop across the road and came back with ICE CREAM! We all grabbed a spoon and enjoyed ourselves YUM!!

It's impossible to describe just how good the ice cream tasted. After 4 days of warm water, no cold anything to eat or drink....yummmmm.

Back in Haiti Day 2

Hello! To quickly catch you up I am back at camp. Lisa and I have our own Shelter Box which is great. Lots of room, we can stand up and move around, privacy....but no room service and no air conditioning.

Last night the wind blew and it was a very cool breeze so sleeping was a delight, esp. after not sleeping more than 3 hours two nights in a row.

I am working in the Logistics Tent which is really just chaos and papers, questions and phone calls. I am on death duty. If someone passes away I have to make sure all the papers are signed and filled out and then make sure the family member signs on the dotted line, then I gather transport, have them suit up and then go get the body. Fortunately I don't have to handle the body or anything just oversee the process. Got up before dawn this morning and stepped in to the Log Tent at 6:10. I was approached immediately regarding two infants that died in the night. Awful!

Not a great way to start the day at 6am or any other time.

After arriving here the last 2 times and the registration being a mess I took control. Registration for the new volunteers isn't really structured to get everyone in quickly and pain free so I put in place how I think it should go and we'll test it out tomorrow morning. Everything will work and it will be good. I just think after having to be in line at MIA at 4 in the morning and then waiting and then plane ride, and customs and the ride to camp that you need to arrive to some smiling people who have their act together. I will let you know how it goes.

Got to hold a preemie today named Vincent. He curled up on my chest, put his cheek on my shoulder and fell asleep.

So CUTE!!! I am going to go back in there tonight and hold him again. What a love!

Bye!

melt down in 5,4,3,2,1

I had a melt down. It took almost 2 weeks this time for me to lose it but it finally happened. After my first trip to Haiti the melt down happened within 24 hours of coming home, this time it it took longer but it was harder to process what went on in camp. I yelled and I screamed and Jim was sitting there listening to me. After I sobbed and sobbed and shook until I was done, I sat down and started working on what CAN be done and tried to table my thoughts on what ISN'T being done. I want to start a Foundation. Three other beautiful women and I have talked about it and we're going to do it! It is going to be a foundation that is an advocate for those in need, a foundation that will help others who want to volunteer to be able to afford to volunteer. I don't know if most people understand that to be a volunteer requires more than time it requires more than putting your life on hold it requires money and a lot of it. There are airline tickets, packing supplies, food supplies, transportation, it all adds up. We want to help and this is our way of being able to help.

Sunday 14 March
This afternoon I received a text message from Jordan (our Haitian interpreter and friend)and here's what it said:
"My dear friend Christine. I don't know which word to use in other to explain to you how do I feel since you left Haiti, apologize me for taking too long to write you. I don't know what happens to your e-mail, I can't find you. Please let me know if you find this message. I love you with all my breath. Jordan"

Who can resist this? I cry now writing this because this makes me feel like I made just a little difference in someones life. That's what going down to Haiti is all about, making things a little better for the people. It's what individuals can do - it's tangible.

I get up in the morning and I pull the covers over my head for a while and cuddle with the kitties, I make myself breakfast (after looking at all of my choices) then I choose what clothes to put on, I walk out and get in to my car and do my thing. BH (Before Haiti) I took these things for granted AH (After Haiti) I do not. I am thankful for every breath, for every morsel of food, for every hug from a friend. I think about how easy it seemed to ease in to life at the camp like I've done it all my life.

It was easy to suck it up there! Hot sun, sweaty, hungry, smelly porta-potties, the smell of wounds, and death and vomit. It is sad to see the nurses and doctors cry but good to know the compassion is there. I can't explain how the people and the children with their smiles and their thank you's just make my heart full.

I have spoken to people that I was with in Haiti and we all agree on one thing; Haiti changed us.
Working in Haiti made me a different person. Working in Haiti taught me that I can do anything and I mean anything! Like I said it's easy to just suck it up and do it or to quote my friend Michelle, "Haiti feeds me."

Bonswa! Komon ou ye?

Oh yes, I am trying to learn some Creole. While in Haiti I worked in the Wound Care Tent (are you tired of hearing that yet?) and I learned to say a few phrases so that I didn't need an interpreter for the easy stuff. I can say hello, where are your papers, are you OK, sit down over there, are you hungry, stay well, and good-bye.

For tonight's blog I want to start at the end of my journey to Haiti.
And I want to tell you about Jordon. Jordon was our interpreter for the WC Tent and he was great. The commute to work from his home takes 1 and a half hours each way. He worked 10-12 hours a day. He was on time every day, looked nice, was polite and worked hard. The first day he came to the camp not knowing if there would be a job for him but came any way because he wanted to work. He was hired that afternoon.

There are no days off when working in Haiti right now. It's a 7 day a week go as fast as you can kind of pace but we did get a "break" the Sunday I was there. Of the 22 people tick marked on our date list to come in only 11 showed up for care. We knew this was because it was Sunday and church day and we also knew we'd get slammed come Monday. So we took our rest when we could and were able to sit and spend some time really getting to know each other.

Jordon has a mom, sister and a daughter. Their house was badly damaged in the earthquake. They are living outside on their street in a lean-to which they share with the neighbors. They are able to store things in the house and go in to get them but only one at a time and there is always someone waiting and watching from the outside in case the house caves in even more. They need to find shelter before the rainy season. I asked him where they sleep and he said, On the ground. I ask what they do when it rains he said, We stand up.

Before the earthquake Jordon was a Science teacher and he taught computer classes. He hopes the schools will open soon, some how, some way.

That evening the WC team talked about how we wanted to help Jordon. We decided to give him everything we had left over from our own supplies. Chuck "the wound care guy" had a large empty suitcase and we all brought things and filled the suit case and more. Blankets, sleeping bags, food, water, t-shirts, toiletries, the list goes on.

The crew kept a list of what was given and I went to the Logistics tent and asked Tamara to write a letter on the camp letterhead so he could take everything out of camp passed the guards. Petty theft is a problem so we wanted to go through the right channels. Big Tom, a wonderful Dr. and man gave Jordon enough money to take a cab all the way home without transferring and walking with the suitcase and bag. The fear is he would get mugged for his goods.

Jordon was so happy he cried. He hugged each of us over and over and was shaking a bit when he talked. He was so grateful for a bar of soap and a blanket!

Most of our group was leaving on Monday night and all day long Jordon kept saying, I am just not sure how I am going to feel tomorrow when I come in to camp. We felt the same way about leaving.

That night when it was time for him to go he asked me if I would walk with him to the gate and passed the guards. Before we left the tent I asked him to tell me something he really needs besides the things in the suitcase. I told him I knew he needed a tent but what else? He looked at the suitcase full of things we all put in there and he started to cry. He was so happy that his family will have some basics for a while. Then he said, Do you think your tennis shoes will fit me? I took my shoes off and he tried them on and they fit! (I've never been happy about having big feet until that moment). I hope he is able to wear them and be comfortable or to give them to someone else who needs them.

I walked Jordon and Mario (that's us in the picture, me, Mario and Jordon on the right) to the gate. We showed the guard the letter, etc. I gave them both big hugs and said goodbye (my flight was leaving that night...but didn't, more later) and Jordon kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, You'll forever be in my heart. Needless to say I was once again glad for my big Jackie-O sunglasses! I cried walking back to my tent.

They need so much help there. They need tents and tarps and sheets and blankets. I am asking you readers to help me get those items or help with monetary donations and I will buy them myself. I will work on getting them there. I want to "adopt" Jordon's family. I want everyone who helps to know exactly where their donation is going. I will send updates and photos and follow his story. Please write me with ideas and thoughts.

Mesi,
Christine

I'm Baaaacccckkkk!

Hello everyone! I am back from Haiti and New York City. I have stories from each place and lots of pictures.

I had a great time in New York, met with some great people, went to a couple of seminars and visited an exhibit hall. I was able to spend a lot time with my friend's Peter and David. Thanks for the celebrity sighting boys!

New York was good but I have to admit that my heart and my mind are still in Haiti. I would like to go back again but will need some help financially so if anyone has ideas on churches, companies or groups that would like me to give a presentation on Haiti and how we can all help please let me know.

I am trying very hard to get some work. If anyone knows of anything in the meetings industry, on site operations, group travel, incentives, etc. let me know. I am working on a contract basis and hoping to fill up the calendar. Let me know any ideas you have or contacts I can call.

I am sorry if this sounds like a commercial for me getting work but it's important for me to make something of my company and make this dream of mine a reality. Going to Haiti has given me an even clearer picture of what I want Jett Events to become. More on that later.

I do hope to get back to Haiti and hope to talk Jim in to going with me.

Here are two pictures: one of Haiti and one of New York City...what a difference a day (and 1532 miles) makes.

Unbelievable!

I can't believe I am about to leave Haiti for the 2nd time. I am finally on the internet for a minute so wanted to at least post once from Haiti proper.

It has been a wonderful wonderful week and I am in awe of the great things I see. The people of Haiti are a strong lot. They are inspiring and always have a smile on their face. I have learned a lot from my time here.

This is my 2nd go-around and I feel I was more effective this time since I "know the ropes". There wasn't much of a learning curve so I could hop right in and get to work. The days were long but only 8am to 5:30pm each day so the evenings were free to visit the kids and paint some nails or hand out toys.

I admit I did go to the UN for dinner on Fri, Sat, Sun! It was a lot of fun and nice to be around everyone in a setting outside of camp. I lived in a tent with Sue out side of the main tent which was heaven! Except for the night it rained...more on that later.

I have lots of photos and lots of stories so stay tuned!

Goodbye from Haiti.
PS I am learning Creole!

Good thoughts and Prayers Needed

Hello Everyone! I am packing for Haiti! I hope to catch a flight to Miami area tomorrow and the on to a charter flight to Haiti on Tuesday morning. There was an "all call" for volunteers and for those who had been there before to get back. I am excited and ready to go! Call me if you want to give good wishes!

Author's Note:

I don't write these stories to make less of what is a tragic situation, I write these stories to let the reader know about real people and real situations. Sometimes you have to laugh or you would be overwhelmed by the sadness. We were working in a hospital camp that is made of plywood and tents. We watched people in their last hours and held babies that no longer have parents. We heard the airplanes and helicopters 24/7 taking off and landing just 200 yards from where we were. We heard the crying and we heard the prayers. It was life changing. I'm no hero, I am just a person who felt/feels convicted to do her part and I have the time and family and friend's encouragement to go to Haiti and work. I want to write a blog about my experience and my feelings; what it is like as a lay person to go there and work and about the new friends I met while there. I can't wait to get back.

Peace & Love,
CJ

Full Moons and Shampoo

I have camped before, I have gone without baths and hot meals, no biggie. When we got to Haiti and settled we went straight to work and truth be told after 10 hours in the sun you can't smell yourself anymore so it's all good. I admit I went through a lot of baby wipes. The smell of baby powder will stay with me for a long time. Eventually though you want to take a shower just to relax and refresh.

I took my first shower on Tuesday night at midnight. I knew it was just cold water but I didn't care. I got my undies, jammies, soap, shampoo and towel and marched myself out to the shower. There are four shower stalls with plywood in between and a shower curtain. My shower was fairly uneventful once I got past the feeling of being exposed. I just enjoyed the water and the feeling of shampoo in my hair. I remember that night was the night before the full moon so the sky was beautiful. I also got a giggle from thinking, there's a full moon in the sky and a full moon right here in the next shower stall.

That was my only real shower for the week. On Thursday I wanted to take a shower but there was no water so I found a large gallon container of water and took a splash bath in the shower. THAT water was cold! I slept great that night.

This is a little boring because my shower scenes weren't thrilling but my friend Michelle had a funny story which she has given me permission to tell:

At camp there was a really good looking Dr.; he was from New Orleans and he was fun and laid back. Most of the time the men turned their back to the women in the shower to give a little privacy. That is the thought that you go in there with and the reason you can close your eyes to shampoo your hair and clean yourself with vigor.

Michelle was taking a much needed and much wanted shower enjoying the cool water when she felt someone looking at her. She turned around and the cute Dr. was staring over the plywood at her. She was startled and jumped back a little, eyes wide and embarrassed.

He smiled, winked and said, "Rock-n-Roll Baby!" and kept right on with his shower!

Do you Voodoo? aka Can I have a blanket, can I ,can I?

When supplies came in to camp like blankets or sheets they became a hot commodity. I would get a box of them to stash in my tent and the nurses or helpers would come out to get the blanket - those were the only ones allowed to take a blanket. My new friend, Michelle May, was working in the Peds tent and we would cut the blankets in half for the babes and then she'd deliver them.

The Haitians, who were visitors to the patients and sitting right outside my tent, kept asking for blankets. We had to say no since the blankets were for the patients only. They would ask and ask, then get an interpreter and ask again and again. Our answer was the same.

It was a little cooler at night but never what I would describe as cold, but for the locals it was cool. So they'd ask and ask and ask again. Wear em' down and they'll give us a blanket. I felt like crap saying no but I knew that we didn't have many blankets and the patients come first. So the answer is no. You get the idea.

Well, one lady about 5 foot nothing in a red shirt and pants gave me the evil eye, then she crossed her arms over her ample bosom, turned in a circle three times, mumbled something, stared at me, nodded and then made spatting noises. Then she sat down. S*it I thought, I've just been hexed, this woman put a voodoo curse on me! I was kind of freaked out in an amused sort of way.

Michelle came back in to the tent and I pulled her to the side and told her what happened and asked if she believed in voodoo. We both laughed but it was the "I'm a little nervous" kind of laugh. So Michelle decided to get to the bottom of things and went to ask a Haitian American Dr. she had been working with what he thought.

I waited in my tent guarding the blankets for her to come back.

When she returned this is what she told me:

She had asked the Dr. if he believed in voodoo and then told him the story.

The Dr. asked, "Are you single" She said, "Yes."

He gave her the evil eye, crossed his arms over his chest, turned in a circle three times, mumbled something, stared at her, nodded and then made spatting noises.

He asked, "Will you sleep with me in my tent tonight?" Michelle said, "Nope."

The Dr. sighed and said, "Then voodoo doesn't work."

HAHAHAHA!

where we lived. Project Medishare Field Hospital

I will make this one quick just to get something up. I have been getting so many people asking where did you live, what was it like so I am putting up a picture. I will explain more later on. Have a great night.

Joelle, the little boy who stole my heart

The day before I left Haiti while I was in the WC Tent and it was hot, I was contemplating another bottle of water when I heard a shuffle. I looked up at the entrance to the area and there was a woman holding a little boy. His sweet little face a little dirty but those big eyes shining.

Sherry, the lady who was holding him asked for some Pedialyte and water. I gave them to her and then took the little boy in to my arms. He drank a little and then snuggled up on my shoulder, face to my neck and fell asleep. I just melted. I could feel his breath on my neck and I just fell in love. I worked around the tent handing out supplies and working while I was holding this little precious while he slept.

Sherry told me his story and am SO glad I had my Jackie O sunglasses on because the tears just started. While her group was in the mountains working giving food and assistance they helped out with getting the locals settled. When their helicopter came to take them out and back to PAP an older gentleman ran up and threw the little boy in to the helicopter. She said he hadn't spoken at all and didn't know much about him. This made me hold him even tighter. What a sweetheart. His tiny arms around my neck and the feel of his sweaty little face. WOW!

When he woke up he wrapped his fingers around my hand and wouldn't let go. I asked an interpreter to come over and talk to him. The interpreter ask him his name and he said Joelle. How old, "Three." Then the interpreter ask his how he was doing and he said, "Some good. Some bad." When I was told this I just about lost it! This kid had been through hell and there was nothing I could do but hold him tight and kiss his head over and over.

Joelle told the interpreter that he was hungry so Sherry went to the Supply Tent and got some rice and beans. Joelle ate it all and then wanted more but he needed to take a break and not eat too much. What a cutie. After he ate he perked up and sat up in my lap. He put his elbow up on my boob like the back of a couch and rested his head on his hand. It was hysterical and I was glad to help. Several people came out and took pictures of us sitting there like that. It was funny!
Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of him.

Way too soon it was time for Sherry to take Joelle to the orphanage and get him settled. She went to take him from me and he clung to me, then shook his head no. I was so emotional and hated to let this little guy go. I kissed his cheeks and his head and then let him go. I don't know and won't know what ever happened to him. I just hope and pray that he is healthy and happy and having fun. I hope he goes to a terrific and loving family.

This boy touched me in my heart and took a piece of it with him. I hope my thoughts, prayers and good energy reach him and that he has a good life. Who knows, maybe we will run in to each other again some day.

Wound Care Tent & sending lots of love

I miss the Wound Care Tent. Early afternoon on Day 1 I was brought over to the Wound Care Tent where I would spend the rest of my time in Haiti. My job was to organize the wound care supplies, set up a system and work with the crews. Ahh, the crews! What terrific people! I met hardworking men and women from all over the world. They are nurses and EMT's and just great people. A whoop whoop and shout out to Kay in Australia!

Since 85-90% of the patients have a myriad of wounds from falling concrete, burns, lacerations, etc. it's just too much, along with everything else for the nurses to take care of so the wound care area was born.

Dr. MacDonald, meet Christine...I don't know if Doc was ready for me but we both had a quirky brand of humor and we got along like a house a fire!

I felt needed and wanted and empowered while in Haiti. I felt like I was doing some good for the people and also helping out the teams to be just a little bit more efficient. And I have to mention that it helped me. I wouldn't say that I am a selfish person but I do get down and out sometimes, being in Haiti and seeing those patients and interacting with the workers just opened my heart more and I am a better person now.

I'm a smiler (is that a word?) I like to smile, I think that a smile is universal. And it doesn't hurt that I had a stash of candy in my "tent" to give out to our great military. I fixed their boo boos when they came in to camp and sent them on their way with a clean wound and some twizzlers! I like to think that I made them happy. Everyone worked so hard! I miss you all so much.

Dee from Switzerland was so terrific! She and I had some wonderful chats and she gave me some advice about coming home that really helped me. I read on her Facebook that she is back in Haiti already. You go girl! I hope to see you again soon.

Erika will be on The Doctors TV show on February 17th talking about her time in Haiti and about wound care. Everyone tune in!!

That's it for tonight! I am really missing working down there and hope to get back soon. I am working on it with Lisa and Michelle and crew so we'll see!!

Sweet dreams everyone!

ranting and raving then hoping for a good night's sleep

I don't begrudge anyone their religion. I am an equal opportunity type when it comes to religion but this news piece reared it's head again today along with a post on YouTube and I feel the need to give my two cents. The first bit is Pat Robertson saying that Haiti is cursed because of a pact with the Devil and the second bit is a video of the patients in Haiti at the Project Medishare/University of Miami Hospital tent singing Praises to God. It was a beautiful site for the eyes and the ears and the heart. I had the privilege of being there that night and words just cannot describe the feeling of being in my little tent outside of the hospital and hearing the sweet voices from within. Those voices beckoned us to come in and rejoice.

My French Creole isn't very good but I know my English. Right around 5:50 you can hear them sing in English, "God I praise you. God I praise you." Forgive me the sarcasm but does that sound like a pact with the Devil?

From the CBS news website: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/13/crimesider/entry6092717.shtml

An excerpt from this piece: Pat Robertson, the American Christian televangelist and host of "The 700 Club," said that Haitians need to have a "great turning to god" while he was reporting on the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook the island nation — the most powerful to hit the country in a century.

Robertson took to the airwaves Wednesday on his show and said that the country has been "cursed by one thing after another" since they "swore a pact to the devil."

"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about," Robertson said Tuesday.

This is the link for the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7bc1b2B3Y

There is a gentleman in a blue shirt and hat in the video, his name is Joseph. I know you won't know exactly who I am talking about by looking but he's there and he's a good man. He worked as an interpreter for the adult hospital tent and he cared deeply about what he was doing. I miss him and our talks. God Bless you and your family Joseph I hope to see you again some day.

OK, stepping off of my box.

Day One Notes

It's an effort for me today to not be bitter towards society. I drove to a meeting this morning, the furthest I've driven from home since coming back from Haiti, and I have had to check myself more than a few times. I'm bitter toward others and keep wanting to shout at them: Why are you honking at that person the light JUST turned green? Be nice and let someone have the good parking space you can walk just fine. Must you make that gesture?? I am trying not to be judgmental because really it should start with me right, but it's just one of those days. I need to crawl back in to my hole for another day and ease out again tomorrow.

Instead of continuing with day-to-day I decided to copy some of the thoughts I jotted down on day one in Haiti while I was getting to know my role and watching others around me by the Wound Care tent. I think it speaks volumes and reading it makes me feel a little better.

Day 1:

Well, I've already cried a little. Imagine that, me emotional. What right do I have to cry, I just got here!? These beautiful people are so strong. I am working in the Wound Care Tent organizing the medical supplies and patient list for the crew. It's been 8 hours but I have made it my own and plan on making this as efficient as possible so the wound crew can get to as many patients as possible. I want the patients to remain comfortable. Also, I see the people in the out-patient area and I want them prioritized because it's hot and uncomfortable.

I am learning the different names of the supplies and what's funny is the different countries have different names for things, for example: The padding that goes underneath a patient to capture fluids the Americans call a "chuck' the Aussies call it a "bluie". It's like a game show. One of the guys from the Netherlands came in and said, "I don't know this in English but when you get a splinter this gets it out." Oooooo, pick me pick me! The answer is Tweezers!

At different times of the day patients come in. Ebb and Flow.

11pm:
Today a woman has been sitting outside of my tent holding her very tiny baby. The baby has a head wound and it has been changed but she just sits. She has been given food and supplies for the baby but still sits. I don't know exactly how long she's been here but I'm going on 12 hours. She doesn't want to go home. Really, what home? Here she can eat and have clean water. People are sleeping in the streets even if they have a home because they are afraid to be under a roof. This makes me want to work harder.

God Bless them all and God Bless the workers. I am getting excited for the cot. It's almost midnight now. Really I need to organize my bags but to do that I would have to stay awake and I am not willing to lose a minute of sleep. I want to be fresh and ready for tomorrow. P.S. I hear they pump AC in to the tent at night - I'm ready to find out for myself.

Good night.

You Want Me To Pee Where?

Once we got in to the Project Medishare/University of Miami camp and put our bags away in the big tent the first question I had was, "Where's the toilet?" It had been a long morning already. Peggy (Who I'd met a mere few hours earlier) and I trooped right over to the other side of the wall, took one look at the "Ladies", shrugged and said, "I'll ignore any sounds you make if you ignore mine." And up we went on to the hole. And I do mean hole. I baby wiped the space and yes I did sit. Sometimes squatting isn't ..well, just isn't. Peggy and I bonded right then and there. Whoever built the potty put up a short wall on the base of the contraption to give some semblance of privacy but really at that point, who cares?

I knew two things right then and there: One: Any modesty I had left had flew the coop and Two: Peggy and I are bonded for life on a level that few people achieve.

Sitting there looking at the Mickey Mouse comforter that posed as a shield, listening to the trucks rumble by on the other side of the wall and hearing the generators roar behind us I knew this was going to be a week I'd never forget.

I do have to tell you - if there is in fact anyone reading this - that within a day there were several more porta potties which I was happy to frequent over the other choice. But if you ever meet someone and would like to bond, I know a place you can go.

Why would you go to Haiti???

I have been nervous to begin writing but the Divine Miss M (you know who you are) said just write to myself. So here goes. The big question before I left and somewhat since I returned is Why?. Why would you go there? Why do you feel you need to go to Haiti? Why?

This trip came about so quickly that it took me a few days to answer that question for myself. I watched the news and I read the online papers. I saw the devastation of the earthquake and I said my prayers for Haiti but that was it. Until I saw the Facebook status of Aaron wanting to put together a group to go to Haiti. Hey, here's my chance, get off my butt and make it work so I did.

I think we all go through the days and weeks watching the news or hearing people talk about how they wish they could help, they wish they could do more. I got the chance to do more and I did it. That's about it.

I was out with a friend for a movie and all the way home all I could think about was how simple it would be for me to go. I'm healthy, I have the time... by the time I drove in to the driveway of the house I had made up my mind.

I have a supportive husband (who was shocked, I think) but he said, "GO". I contacted Aaron and was on the list. Here we go I thought now what: Shots! I am up on my shots from previous travels I just needed a tetanus booster, typhoid, and that nasty H1N1 I had been putting off. Packing easy to eat food, all of my old underwear, shorts I didn't care to bring back, bug spray, baby wipes, socks and licorice. I was ready. Jim was kind enough to transfer over to me a Southwest free ticket he had and he made the arrangements for me and then took me to the airport. What a guy!

While I was in Florida waiting to go to the airport and meet the group someone asked me again, why? And made it clear that they thought the Haitians were a "non-people" bottom of the barrel type. This hit me like a knife in the gut but I kept my cool because everyone is entitled to their opinion but I cannot and will not believe that anyone on this earth is a non-person, uncivilized, bottom of the rung.

That still doesn't really answer why but it gives you the beginning because I don't think even I understood why until I was there and saw the need and the impact that just one person can make in someones life. How a touch of the hand or a nod and a smile can change someones day completely.

The picture is of part of our crew when we first arrived in to PAP. The beginning of something that changed me.

Next up...You Want Me To Pee Where?

Random thought/blog #1

I love quotes. Reading what others said that make a point you can follow. Since I have joined Twitter I've noticed it is all a twitter (forgive the pun) with quotes. It seems people see or hear a line and adopt it but don't know the words all around the quote which can be just as important. My dad always told me to look at the whole picture, don't just take snippets -live the whole. So with that, I want to start my blog letting you, the reader, know that I will not give you pieces or halves, I will give you my whole.

One of my favorites:
"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring; renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crown-less again shall be king." J.R.R. Tolkien