Sante Ayiti

 No proper way to sign off a blog, far as I know.  I will try to post a slide show from this trip....but that is a ways off.  It was a grand adventure for sure. And Sevner says...Hallo.  Maybe you have some ting?

Sadly, almost over.

I know I know.  M'konnen M'konnen

You want a story about fitting prostheses and patients.  I don't have that tonight.  

I can't say that I am not here for the patients.  I always am.  I will toil until it is done to see it through.  But my purpose and drive for being here in Haiti is the continued support of the guys at Medi for Help Klinik.  I want this place to succeed and I want to see these guys make it happen.  If these 2 weeks only showed them appreciation for them and value in what they do then it is 2 weeks well spent.  

What?  It isn't Hanger Klinik any more?  This isn't about me. As I had mentioned, I am the first American and Hanger volunteer in 2 yrs.  It isn't because they aren't needed.  Speaking with Cornelia today, the clinic has gone as long as 6 weeks in a row without a volunteer.   It could be partly because Medi is a foreign company.  I know the challenges.  I work where you work.  I am busy too. Making a 2-4 wk commitment seems impossible.  All, I know is that if you do NOT try then it will probably not happen.

My fellow empolyees and I share the same affliction.  Occassionally, when confronted with a decision or directive that seems challenging or unwanted we say, "Why is Hanger this?  What does Hanger think?"  I know the answer.  Want to hear it?  Hanger or ....fill in the _______, Is to any employee, whatever their superiors tell them, as well as show them, it is.  Frequently, we use the question when we don't agree with a directive.  I can hear many of our superiors saying, "why do you say, what does Hanger want?"..."You are Hanger!"   at least 10 times this week I was confronted...not in a bad way, by a Haitian or person from HAS.  They would ask me where I am working.  I would say the prosthetic clinic.  They would then comment that Hanger was here but they left.  I would respond,.... I am Hanger.

Today, was not spent in the clinic.  Today was a day off.  HAS and Medi supported a day at the beach for the Techs and and some family.  It was a farewell to Cornelia, who is leaving soon as well as a welcoming in to Ralf who is new.  Me...I am sort of in the middle.  Just happy to be here really.  Though, the other day on the street, a knickknack vendor had hounded me all the way to clinic after lunch.  On my way home I saw him outside the one and only tennis court.  He was walking back to his "shop" with his racket in his hand.  We walked together and ....I dont know....maybe cause he was out of work, he just stated talking and not trying to make a sale?  His English was pretty good.  

Are you Creole?, He said.  I looked at him like he was insane. and said NO. He continued, well you don't look, act or sound like the almonds that we usually see.  I tried to stop from laughing.  This Blanc ain't Almond. Praise be?  Almond...  All that was coming to mind was Euro after Euro coming in with the hairstyle I call the European Mullet,accompanied by a Flourescent back pack or worse...the Carry-all.  I am soo thankful they could see and hear the difference.  

Today, was great.  The techs along with kids , Cornelia, Ralf and I went to club Indigo in St. Marc. It was just incredibly nice to see these boys outside their work.  See their kids and the tight relationship they have with them.....how you could see each parent inside the cute adorable child.  

I snorkled some with Ralf's mask and snorkel only to pull up a few too many brown sand dollars for Cornelia's liking. "No,they're still alive!!! Throw them back. Throw them back!!" she exclaimed.

I gave the lot to Roseline.  She needs to make something nice for Cornelia...soemthing for me,....and the rest are hers.  Roseline, like many Haitians is an artist.  She does a lot with papier mache, jewelry,...and stuffs.  

You know....the beach was cool.  Sooo great to hang with the boys and their kids.  I so wish my kids could meet them all. and we all could hang out. The thing that struck me the most was the ride home. 

It's the beach.  Close our eyes.  Beach smell....like the cologne that Kramer invented....you're kinda dry a, kinda salty-sandy even though you all changed into different clothes.  Kinda tired and kinda not.  You are bouncing to and fro on your way through St. Marc, 16 in a van.  The diesel engine sounds like it about to crack at any minute.  We stop at a...wait for it....GAS STATION...yes, they seem to exist here in Haiti...all a sudden.  As we stop, this Van with no AC begins to fog up.  It is dark and rainy and hot.  This blanc is starting to broil. We finally start moving...crack some windows... maybe 5 minutes into the return to movement and the Creols breakout in song.  I don't know if there are Haitian campfire songs but these next three sure sounded like them.  I could not understand a blessed thing.  I took part in an occassional misplaced fa rar ra ra ra ra....  inside I just rejoiced at the notion that this group was more than just coworkers.

As we dropped them all off....goodbyes are tough.  I honetly don't think Alex wants to say goodbye.  It is either too hard or he just doesn't want to allow the thought.  He was a stop at the beginnig of the HAS corridor.  For the rest apart from Roselline, it was hugs and actual somewhat glad and sad  remarks of "until next time."  

Tomorrow I plan to watch the sunrise over the Arbonite.

Adime

Chove Blanc

  

  

No Pwestige. No pwobwem

I don't know why the Haitians have pwoblems with their R's, but it is a little fun.  I think so...

Clinic was pretty fun today.  A decent number of patients.  Just always nice to play with these boys.  Sevner walked me in, confirming that I will have some ting fo him tomowow.  Arriving at clinic I greet my colleagues as they arrive, practicing my Creole. Sak Pas?  Sak a Fet? Como ou je?  Then we sit or do some busy work as the techs teach me new phrases and we wait for patients to begin to arrive.  

There is a lizard on my ceiling again.  The difference this time is that I am in my bedroom. :o  It is also waining weally hard outside.  Hard enough that I am wondering if I should move my bed, again.  I know....you are wondering why I havent made a permanent move.  I just haven't.  Me and my lizard are nestled....or I am just lazy.

Crutches, anyone?  part of the tour of duty today, was Cornelia showing Ralf the various places at HAS that some things are stored.  For the Hanger folks reading this blog....it was the Materials Management person that took Ralf, Cornelia and I around on this little tour.  Cornelia kept asking," Is this inventory?  Do we need to record it if we take it?"  To which, the response each time was, "Some is and some isn't."..... Anyone see a DNI label?  How about a HIMS label? HA!!  There ain't no PWC auditor coming here this year.

I was not sure what to make of this bonfire of crutches. Impressive that they have so many, and won't need any for many years.  They clearly don't know how many sets they have apart from...A LOT.

This evening we were treated to quite a delicious dish.  Chef Ralf whipped up some Italian that was quite excellent....Kay Alumni was tranfomed into Chez Ralf.  He had tested the sauces on us the night before.  I was only in charge of toasting the bread for the bruschetta.  I could have sat there all night.  We all stink of garlic.  We couldn't finish the food, though I was really trying. Delish!!  Maybe he isn't really from Germany.

Ok...my head is drooping.  I feel like hours are passing between keystrokes.

Adime

Chov Blanc

Walt

Settle in.  Grab your coffee or drink of choice.  I'll wait for you.  

I feel like I have a bazillion bullet points.  Fragmented thoughts and experiences that I wish I could share in real time with everyone.

I'll give it a stab till my head startes to droop.

Clinic was busier a bit today.  My prosthetics teacher would have said something to the effect of, "I wish I didn't have to be here in Haiti or anywhere because someone lost a limb."  Still, I felt more needed and busier.  Alex intimated to me in both Creole and broken English that they like when I am there because I work with them.

He said the many volunteers come but they work only with the lead clinician or by themselves.  

I understand that perspective.  Haiti can be and is a very scary place in many ways.  It takes effort and work to get through language and stranger-issues or anxiety. I dare say that this week I may have become too comfortable.  Here...I never see patients alone.  I know my role here is to try to coach these guys along.  I think the patient interactions are better for them, for me and for the patient when we are together.  ***new topic**

Sevner was in classic form this AM.  I nearly whipped out my phone to record our dialogue on the way to work. But I knew I wanted to save Gigs for the clinic this AM.  He was nearly emphatic, clarifying when I am leaving and that I will set aside money and things for him.  ***new topic***

Alex and I spent a lot of time together, today.  A couple prosthetic patients and a couple TLSOs that we were fabricating. All of the guys have really come a long way, but more and more I truly believe that Alex and Cira have the greatest grasp of a lot of the biomechanic principles that are always being applied.  I saw Alex instruct Tcho on why certain trimlines simply needed to be present on a TLSO.  Joel has great patient skills but often misses some technical specifics...which is all about step memorization.  In reality the guys really balance each other really well.  ***new topic***

Tcho...has a dog.  His name is Walt.  Like Walt Disney, I am told.  Joel rescued Walt.  I don't mean that he ordered him online, paid a couple hundred dollars and recieved pictures of him from someone he never met.  I mean Joel rescued Walt from the street when he was sitting under the wheel of a moto when has was barely a handful and the moto was about to take off.  However, Joel does not have a house good for a dog....so Tcho adopted him   

Tcho has a loud, high, chirpy voice for a 40yr old Haitian.  I can do a good rendition but it comes across better 1) in person and 2) after you have met Tcho. Walt is about 3-6mos old.  Pretty small.  My issue is that when anyone, especially Tcho, yells for Walt....it sounds like "PAUL!!"....to which I yell.."Sak Pase!!!"  Sak a fett!!" 

This morning.....well, I was out of beer.  I spoke to my Kay Mothers before I left for work and gave them money for beer, but at lunch....I saw no Prestige.  I asked Madame Maude.  She said NO Prestige.  Mwen non Comprahn!!!! No Prestige????!!!!  CRAZY.  Soo....today end of day I talk to my brothers.  Explained my plight.  So Tcho and me and Walt take off down the corridor.  Tcho is driving his moto.  I am on the back.  Walt is in the equivalent of a potatoe sack with his head perched out, on my lap - one arm clutching him.  We are in search of Prestige.  The corridor is a partially paved, mostly not, bumpy rocky ride through a Haitian farmers market.  I don't know what the Haitians marveled most at.  Tcho driving with Chov Blanc?  A Blanc on a moto?  This tiny little puppy head poking out the top of a sack?  Brian has asked me for the GoPro video of this sight, but I have only my....memory.  In the end...my Haitian Mothers were right.  There is no Prestige left.  No, I didn't drink them out....I see you nay sayers.  It is a local supply issue.  I CAN tell you that when Tcho dropped me off at Kay Alumni, Louie, the current CEO of HAS was entering the gate.  He saw me dismounting and handing my literal doggy bag to Tcho.  He simply looked stunned....just like the Haitians.  Mind you, Louie is so Blanc that he is from Canada. ***New topic ***

Dad this is for you. Please pardon the bad language that is coming.  The house here continues to turn over. Currently, there are 2 Germans, 1 Haitian and 5 Blancs. That makes 2 Prosthetists, 1 pediatrician, 1 nurse, 2 surgeons, 1 nurse pratitioner and a solar engineer.  The surgeons are a retired pediatric specialist and his current resident. They hail from Portland, ME. Dr. Mike is the retired surgeon.  Discussing his current case today, he described the childs issue how he reconstructed her large colon.  "Yup, when they need new assholes around here....that's when they call me.  Of course it isn't more assholes, it is just re-engineered.  Made somehow better....still an asshole.....in the end, that is"

I nearly fell off my chair 2X  

Bon Nuit

Chov Blanc

Chilling with my boys

Joel's introduction to the Klinik Medi for Help and Hanger....sorry ran out of memory on phone

Bonjour....Bonswa

When I arrived in Port Au Prince, just over a week ago, I needed to wait at the Visa Lodge for a spell.  Cornelia had some others to pick up,...Hannes - Mr Solar Man, and Rudy - Physician at HAS.  I used  the time wisely.  Sampled the most recent batches of Prestige and chatted it up with anyone that was brave enough to sit within earshot of me.

The place was mostly filled with ex-pats as customers, but one Haitian sitting near me spoke English quite well.  He asked where I was headed.  He commented that Deschapelles is nice and HAS has a great reputation.  We chatted on many things from realestate to healthcare.  He has visited the States many times, so he is probably more aware or in-tune with the U.S. than I am with Haiti.  He knew that this was not my first trip to Haiti.  Still, he felt a bit of a need to lecture me.

I know what you are thinking.  You are hoping for a warning from him about voodoo or tempting the spirits....or going out at night...goats blood and what not.

He said, "You know about the greeting, right?" (picture this is Creole) to everyone on the street and everyone you meet, you say Hello.  How are you?  Good afternoon. How are you?  I am fine...and you. Thankyou.  You are welcome. and on and on and on.  "This is the first and most important thing" he said.

He continued that "Haiti is a series of small communites.  We are all living, working and depending on each other.  Before I can ask a man to help me change my flat tire or borrow a cup of sugar, I need to first welcome them into our community.  I need to look at them and include them."

"I have been to NYC.  Where you walk down a street and look at no one.  Talk to no one.  That is not a Haitian community."

I know that what this man says is true.  Everyday at work here in clinic in Deschapelles, every employee personally addresses every other.  They literally walk around and say good morning and how are you to everyone.  And THEN the day can begin.  THEN each person has been recognized, cared for, welcomed and included in the lives of others.  THEN they can begin again to work together and empower humna potential.  I think I need to try a little more of this, myself.

Saw Madame Bebe today.  So great to see her.  The banana fritter queen looked great. 

Bon Nuit

ChovBlanc

Some people just need a little more time

Most of you should remember Sevner.  If you don't, go back to one of my earlier posts and find the wide smile of Sevner.

My friends and I that have toured through Deschapelles in 2010 & 1 in 2012, all remember Sevner.  As I have said, he walks me to work each morning.  He asks for food or clothing.  What I failed to mention is....well, many things.

For lack of a better analogy, Sevner sort of reminds me of Forrest Gump....I can bring all things back to Gump if you give me time.  During my first day here last week while walking to work, Sevner greeted me.  In 2010, I couldn't understand him properly.  I heard an "S" sound when he said his name, that was all.  I called him Steve, both to his face and to my friends for the last 4 years.  It's ok.  For some odd reason he didn't remember me either.  BUT, on my way to work that day he said,"Do you know Abbey Downing?"  

Abbey works for Hanger in Torrington and had spent 2 wks here in 2012.  I said,"Yes, of course.  I know Abbey very well." He continued, " maybe I could give you some letter and you could give to her?"  I was more than happy to oblige.

Today, Sevner handed me a stack of 15 letters. All of the letters are to people that either work for Hanger or live in CT, names and addresses included.  The people who work for Hanger, I knew; but the rest I did not. I am still stuned. My take aways come down to 2.

1) This guy is way smarter than I thought he was.  He must have a vast catalog of names an addresses that he draws from.  Upon investigating more, I have found that he does this with many people.  And though every letter is the same....a plea for clothing, money and food...he is able to connect and organize people and places......amazing.  I have also learned from some of the people staying here at Kay Alumni, Sevner is one of the people that many people will actually walk to a few "Markets" with.  He knows the way to many.  Is good company.  A few hours and maybe a good meal and he is all set.

2) I am in the carribean, in a develping country.  There is almost no one that I know here.  Yet, I have in hand a short catalog of people that have some how passed through Deschapelles; met Sevner; gave him their address AND....live near me.  I couldn't google search anything remarkably close to that.  

My plan...I will mail these letters.  Along with each one I will attach my own that will read something to the effect of, "Hello.I was in Deschapelles recently. Sevner asked me to send this letter to you.  I don't know you, but I hope your experience in Deschapelles was as good as mine.  If you don't mind I would love to know when you were there and in what capacity..."

Incredible.

Today was a fairly mellow day at the clinic.  Cira and I played orthotist for a spell.

I gave blood, today.  It wasn't part of the plan really.  We were getting in-brace xrays of a scoli patient, and diagnostic imaging is right near the lab. Had some time to kill waiting for the xrays. Most of the time Haitians don't like to give blood.  Yet, they are in dire need of it in the hospital.  Typically, when a family member is getting some surgery there, it is strongly rsuggested that a  family member also gives blood.  Like and exchange program ;-)  

That's all I got tonight.

Adime

Chov Blanc

Sunday off. Hike to Verrette Falls

It was a really awesome hike and hang at Verrette Falls. 

Its a day off so blog is going to be more visual 😎

The pics that look like a coconut with beer in it I am told is voodoo. There were several ingredients. Rice, beer bottle, bones, blood...etc

Tommy, the falls are like Burlington Falls on steroids. 

Head in water was Andres, German orthopedic surgeon 

Might need to make the trip again before I leave.

Bon Dormir

Chov Blanc

VBC

VBC Project Arts

Early in the week I met this man, Olcy.  By day and during the week, Olcy is a local artisan that does paintings and crafts for sale on the street.  On the weekend he is the coordinator for a program called VBC Project Art.

VBCProjectArts.blogspot.com

In Haiti it is expesnive to send kids to school.  Over the years there has been a lot of focus placed on educational programs around family planning.  I can tell you it is working because even talking to a few when I have asked if they have kids, a few have responded," No. I cannot have children yet.  1st I am not married and 2nd I don't have a job to be able to support a family."

VBC seems to be a special program.  Its focus is to provide edcuation and support to orphans of Haiti.  While there are many as a result of the earthquake; there are also children orphaned from other causes. These children might be living with friends or parents of friends; but in many cases these friends are not about to pay for this extra childs education.

VBC provides a program that operates mainly on the weekend.  They use the school buildings that are now empty and put on classes for the kids.  They offer things like arts and crafts, sports, gardening...etc.  Most of the activities are geared toward activities that would be offered in regular school or things that might be considered life skills.

Today, Olcy toured me through some of their activities.  

I think like anyone you can't help but be a little suspect of certain activities in a place like Haiti.  Still, it is  hard to believe someone might gather 50 kids together to sing songs and do crafts as part of a scam.

Is it possible that Haitians simply might be trying to help out their fellow man? I think it is possible.

Adime

Chov Blanc

Solar

Mwen Kay

Yes, Mwen Kay means my house. 

I have been in a few hostels.  Lived at the Westside YMCA in NYC for a summer.  This is like an adult version of both.

I can hear my favorite movie, Forrest Gump, running through my head.  " The house was to big for just mama and me so mama decided to LET...SOME...ROOMs ...OUT.  There was always people COMING and GOING...one time I remember...."

There are 3 Americans here.  I had a Haitiain roommate, Franz.  He came to the mountains to help fit the chair. We have 2 Germans, Rolf, One of my lead clinicians and Hannes, who leads the solar project.

It would be painful to list all of the rotations but to drill it down a bit, the house has covered 3 countries thus far.   Haiti, USA and Germany.  It has covered professions, 2 Prosthetists, 2 Pediatricians, 1 Engineer, 1 RN, 1 NP, 2 Adaptive tech (wheelchair) and 1 Videographer. More to come next week I am told.  

It is an extremely interesting place to be.  Haitians try to speak English.  Americans try to speak Creole.   Dinner is literally potluck in a global sense.  The meals are Creole and family style.  I think all the populations appreciate when the other makes a stab at their language. It makes sense, right?  I am here with you and you are here with me.  All relationships take effort and work.

The night my roof was leaking....I needed to try to explain to my Haitian roomate why I was moving my bed a bit closer to his. 

If you are reading...Brian...I saw Max today, again. He is working with Madame Bebe a few houses up. I will send pictures when I have.

Paul....see solar panels....you should have come with me. 

Bon Nuit, Mwen Zwami 

Chov Blanc

Has any one seen Stanley

It is indeed a funny world that we live in. 

Anyone that has spent time in the prosthetic clinic in Deschapelles can tell you that the techs here have special names for many of their tools.  When you step back and look at the tools in their literal sense...a hammer does not say hammer.  Just as a hacksaw has no label that says hacksaw.  You are just supposed to know.  Imagine how difficult it is when an an adult Haitian is handed a screw driver.  He is told it is a screw driver.  He knows he is struggling to learn English and work with these Americans and Europeans.  He is confused with this screw driver because he thinks it says Craftsman.  Not screw driver.  He does not want to tell his boss that he thinks it is wrong.  Instead, when the boss walks away, the hidden laguage of the techs comes to life.

Joel speaks the best of english of the tech bunch.  Though I have to say that the rest of the crew has either imporved significantly, or they were very shy 4 yrs ago.

Today, I was literally looking for the hacksaw.  I asked Tcho and Joel.  Joel responded, "I do not know anyone named Hacksaw."  I looked at him.  I knew he was messing with me.  He repeated," You know Paul, I have never known anyone named Hacksaw." He continued." Come on Paul....what is his name?  Come on my friend you know it is really Stanely that you are looking for."

And thus Stanely, his friend the General, Joel and I had a good chuckle and.....well.... I either have tools for friends, or some of my friends are tools.  Not sure if I should try explaining that to the boys tomorrow.

Bon Nuit

Chov Blanc  

Mwen Kay

Stanely.... Where's Ollie?

The General

Home Care in Haiti

Well, as you can see from the pictures the prosthetic clinic has been a little slow.  I am assured they are still in need of O&P volunteers.

Cornelia is my lead practitioner.  She has been here off and on for I believe for nearly 4 years.  Her time finishes in 6 weeks.  The new lead practitioner, Ralf, is also here.  He is getting the lay of the land from Cornelia.  Ralf will be here one year.

It was already planned that today would be a HomeCare visit...which as you can see from the photos, it is no easy task.  Prior to my arrival, the hospital had already planned to provide a wheelchair to a little girl in the mountains.  But as any one who has made home visits can tell you preparation is king.  In our case it meant brining physical therapists, prosthetists, technicians....and others.

If it were a helicopter ride I think it would have taken 10 minutes.  The ride in the HAS car took an hour...traveling mostly 10mph over simply crazy terrain.  I know what bobblehead dolls fee like, now.

I didn't take any photos of the little girl we were going to see.  It didn't seem right.  I think the one picture where you can sort of see her in the background gives you an idea of things.  She was 8yrs old.  She was the size of a 4yr old.  She suffers from cerebral palsy.  She doesn't walk or stand.

I don't know how to describe this lifestyle in the mountains.  I want to say simple.  Which describes the amount of material things, but I think life here is far from simple.  Here in such a remote area there is no real way to care for others in the way you need.  The mother is absent.  It is a couple of aunts that care for her.  There is no "child services". Life here is active. Natalie, the Haitian physical therapist said that when she visited the girl previously to evaluate and assess; she would often find her in the house, lying on a dirt floor...alone.

I know how difficult it is to imagine what this child knows and feels, but here is a person that is not being treated like a person.  I prefer to think that this is not because her family does not want to care for her.  Rather, they simply don't have the knowledge or ability.

Of course getting her fit with a decent wheelchair will provide a better natural resting position for her body and head.  Our bodies are healthier and happier this way this way.  Our hope is that this will be utilized a little.  I like to think that if she is upright, she will also be more recognized, engaged and loved.

Adime

Chov Blanc

  

Cemetery

The cemetery is in the foreground. People are not buried. The casket/ tomb or coffine is fixed above ground. 

You call this a road