Fri, March 12, 2010

Haiti Medical Mission

Haiti Still Needs Our Help

Last week I received an email message from a plastic surgeon with whom I worked in California. He was organizing a medical mission to Haiti and was wondering if I would like to join. There was no hesitation, on my part. I was going! All of the memories came flooding back as I recalled the two medical missions I participated in, to Mexico, while living in Colorado years ago. There is nothing more rewarding than donating time and effort to help those in need.


Two years, in a row, I volunteered in Mexico. Our medical group went to the City of Mante for one week and performed as many surgeries as we possibly could in 6 days. The triage team was faced with deciding who's condition most warranted surgery, this year, as opposed to having to wait until the team returned the following year. Once the people of Mexico knew that we were coming, they would travel miles to get to Mante, hoping that this was the year they were chosen to have surgery. We treated children with Strabismus, a condition where the eyes cross or wander, and cataracts in adults so they could see clearly once again. Cleft lips and palates, that are corrected early in American children, were being surgically performed on children as old as 5 years old. We even removed a thyroid tumor from a man who had been living with it for months.


We take so much for granted, in this country, when it comes to our access to medical care. To go to a country where so many are at a disadvantage, with the lack of simple medical care, is eye opening and humbling. That's why I jumped at the chance to be able to volunteer once again. I am lucky enough to have the nursing training to be able to volunteer for such medical missions. I am also fortunate to have a family who understands how much this means to me, and is willing to let me leave them for a week, as well as an extended family who is willing to help support my mission financially. My 7 year old asked if he could come, and I said "maybe someday when you are older." I hope that he does take advantage of such opportunities in the future, not only for his own personal growth, but to be able to share his experience with others and express the importance of altruism.

So, I'll be heading off to Haiti on May 2, and couldn't be more excited about an experience that will stay with me forever.

Lynne PreFontaine BSN, RN
Manager
Indigo MedSpa

If you wish to make any contributions to this Haiti medical mission, there is a donation box located at Indigo MedSpa.

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