Sunday, September 5, 2010
Looking back.
The most memorable experience of my time in Haiti was helping to take care of the premature twins that the Mission had rescued and adopted while I was there. It is likely that they would not have survived had it not been for the people at Mission of Hope. I feel so privileged to have been able to take care of these children at such a crucial time in their lives. Every time I see a picture of their chubby faces today, I remember the way they looked when they were 5 pounds combined, sleeping in a laundry basket; I know that I was witness to a miracle at MOH. There is no way that you can be an intern at MOH and not be touched by the spirit that resonates there. I would recommend this internship to anyone, it will change the lens through which you see the world.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Update f/ Dr. Cheryl
"...Their arms and legs were crushed, their bones sticking out of their bodies, their heads gashed open. Some crying in pain, some barely alive. 5, 6, 7, people per truck.
After a few minutes I left the gate and security took over letting them all in and I rushed back to the hospital. For the next 33 hours straight we worked on the traumatic cases that lie before us. It looked like war. We did not know the integrity of the clinic yet so we could not go inside. The aftershocks started to come and were frequent but less in intensity. We had to get supplies in side but ran back out every aftershock we got. The injured were lying all over our outside walk way. Grant, our visiting nurses and myself worked on triaging the worst patients. We are not a full service hospital, we are just a clinic.....we started to get reports that the biggest hospital in PAP, General hospital had crashed down, Doctors without Borders had crashed (the only 2 main ER's in the entire city!). We got further reports that other hospitals were down. We started to realize, that we were all there was for miles and miles and miles.
At the 20th hour, we told the gate we could not accept anymore patients as we still had to get through many many more. We sent our nurses (except for a few) and our helpers to work in shifts and Grant and I worked on. We reduced (tractioned bones back in place) open compound fractures.......putting tibia bones, back into people's legs that were sticking out. We reduced and set many many femur fractures, lower leg fractures, arm fractures. We sutured arms, legs, heads. We put scalps back together and we cleaned concrete out of wounds for hours. We stabilized pelvic fractures and we helped babies with head trauma breath on oxygen.
We had 3 die. 1 baby, 1 two year old and 1 ten year old. We had 4 others on the brink of death. We saved a lot. Because we had no other choice (as there was no where to send them), at the end of 33 hours, we had discharged all but 5 to follow up. The last few we attempted to take to hospitals. 3 refused and wanted to go home to die.
The other 2 Grant and Laurens tried to find somewhere that would take them in Port Au Prince. It was true, most hospital's were not functioning and those that were, were full of bodies, inside and out. Everywhere, some alive and some dead. Bodies were pilled up in the parking lots as there was no where to put them. Most of the doctors that used to work at the hospital's were dead or not heard of. Families had no where to take their loved one's bodies because their houses were crashed down, they still were missing family members or the funeral homes were destroyed....so they left them.
We went home and slept 6 hours. Then opened the clinic again. We worked another 10 hours, seeing the same things. Finally it stopped. There were no more tap tap's running as there was no more diesel for their vehicles.
That same night, our president of Mission of Hope arrived. We started into disaster relief planing with some partner organizations. By this time reports of what the damage in the country looked like were becoming clear. We had US and CAN doctors start to come in through the dominican to help. We have had doctors coming now since Sat. We have been coordinating a grand scale disaster relief plan for the 100's of thousands of people that have not yet got into the hospital and for food distribution. It is to say the least, no small task.
We have hardly slept, we have not been able to communicate with you. Tonight it was time.
The capital is devastated. The national palace is on the ground (white house), the ministry of transportation is on the ground, the huge justice palace (the whole judicial system) is on the ground, the ministry of health is on the ground, the ministry of finance is not down but destroyed, the entire downtown core has almost every building down to rubble, the insurance bureau is on the ground, every national bank headquarters are crashed to the ground except one that stands severely damaged, the head police headquarters is in rubble, the hospital that Laurens was in after his accident (the best in the country) is severely damaged and non functional, the building that has all the adoption papers in the country is destroyed, the only grocery store that all the missionaries shop at (that I almost was at that day) is rubble on the ground killing and trapping everyone inside, the Montana hotel where we had lunch not so long ago is completely rubble killing everyone inside, many collages and schools and crashed down, Digicel world headquarters (cell phone) and the tallest building in PAP is to the ground (hence we have no cell communications and on.....and on.....and on.
We have 160 staff on our mission and we already know of one that has died and we still have not heard from about 100 staff. Everyday that someone shows up is joyous to see that they are alive. Most everyone has a family member that has died. One security guard has 4 children that died. Many of our Haitian staff suffer severe post traumatic stress after what they have been through or seen. One of our friends was trapped in his school next to 50 of his classmates that were crushed by the building. He heard them screaming but could not save them. He watched them die, as he was trapped inside for 3 hours with a dead man on his chest. He was pulled out eventually..."
After a few minutes I left the gate and security took over letting them all in and I rushed back to the hospital. For the next 33 hours straight we worked on the traumatic cases that lie before us. It looked like war. We did not know the integrity of the clinic yet so we could not go inside. The aftershocks started to come and were frequent but less in intensity. We had to get supplies in side but ran back out every aftershock we got. The injured were lying all over our outside walk way. Grant, our visiting nurses and myself worked on triaging the worst patients. We are not a full service hospital, we are just a clinic.....we started to get reports that the biggest hospital in PAP, General hospital had crashed down, Doctors without Borders had crashed (the only 2 main ER's in the entire city!). We got further reports that other hospitals were down. We started to realize, that we were all there was for miles and miles and miles.
At the 20th hour, we told the gate we could not accept anymore patients as we still had to get through many many more. We sent our nurses (except for a few) and our helpers to work in shifts and Grant and I worked on. We reduced (tractioned bones back in place) open compound fractures.......putting tibia bones, back into people's legs that were sticking out. We reduced and set many many femur fractures, lower leg fractures, arm fractures. We sutured arms, legs, heads. We put scalps back together and we cleaned concrete out of wounds for hours. We stabilized pelvic fractures and we helped babies with head trauma breath on oxygen.
We had 3 die. 1 baby, 1 two year old and 1 ten year old. We had 4 others on the brink of death. We saved a lot. Because we had no other choice (as there was no where to send them), at the end of 33 hours, we had discharged all but 5 to follow up. The last few we attempted to take to hospitals. 3 refused and wanted to go home to die.
The other 2 Grant and Laurens tried to find somewhere that would take them in Port Au Prince. It was true, most hospital's were not functioning and those that were, were full of bodies, inside and out. Everywhere, some alive and some dead. Bodies were pilled up in the parking lots as there was no where to put them. Most of the doctors that used to work at the hospital's were dead or not heard of. Families had no where to take their loved one's bodies because their houses were crashed down, they still were missing family members or the funeral homes were destroyed....so they left them.
We went home and slept 6 hours. Then opened the clinic again. We worked another 10 hours, seeing the same things. Finally it stopped. There were no more tap tap's running as there was no more diesel for their vehicles.
That same night, our president of Mission of Hope arrived. We started into disaster relief planing with some partner organizations. By this time reports of what the damage in the country looked like were becoming clear. We had US and CAN doctors start to come in through the dominican to help. We have had doctors coming now since Sat. We have been coordinating a grand scale disaster relief plan for the 100's of thousands of people that have not yet got into the hospital and for food distribution. It is to say the least, no small task.
We have hardly slept, we have not been able to communicate with you. Tonight it was time.
The capital is devastated. The national palace is on the ground (white house), the ministry of transportation is on the ground, the huge justice palace (the whole judicial system) is on the ground, the ministry of health is on the ground, the ministry of finance is not down but destroyed, the entire downtown core has almost every building down to rubble, the insurance bureau is on the ground, every national bank headquarters are crashed to the ground except one that stands severely damaged, the head police headquarters is in rubble, the hospital that Laurens was in after his accident (the best in the country) is severely damaged and non functional, the building that has all the adoption papers in the country is destroyed, the only grocery store that all the missionaries shop at (that I almost was at that day) is rubble on the ground killing and trapping everyone inside, the Montana hotel where we had lunch not so long ago is completely rubble killing everyone inside, many collages and schools and crashed down, Digicel world headquarters (cell phone) and the tallest building in PAP is to the ground (hence we have no cell communications and on.....and on.....and on.
We have 160 staff on our mission and we already know of one that has died and we still have not heard from about 100 staff. Everyday that someone shows up is joyous to see that they are alive. Most everyone has a family member that has died. One security guard has 4 children that died. Many of our Haitian staff suffer severe post traumatic stress after what they have been through or seen. One of our friends was trapped in his school next to 50 of his classmates that were crushed by the building. He heard them screaming but could not save them. He watched them die, as he was trapped inside for 3 hours with a dead man on his chest. He was pulled out eventually..."
Monday, January 18, 2010
A miracle amidst so much tragedy
An Oklahoma radio station interviewed Ruben, Cenea Sadrac's older brother, via skype. His school building collapsed while he was in it; only 8 of 60 students made it out alive and he was one of them. He was shielded by the dead body of one of his classmates. He says his mother was missing for a few days, but his family had been sleeping on the basketball hard-top at MOH. I'm assuming that this means that Cenea Sadrac is okay, although I have not heard from him directly. I've been in contact with both Sadrac Innocent and Wicky, they are in shock but thankful for their lives. It is a miracle that Ruben is alive, but the video interview reiterates the gravity of the situation...
http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?C=116601&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4461568&flvUri=&partnerclipid=
http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?C=116601&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4461568&flvUri=&partnerclipid=
Heart for Haiti
Documentary about everything that Mission of Hope is. My experiences exactly. Meet Dr. Jennifer, Dr. Cheryl, Otis Garrison, Claudel, the twins, JR, Clifton...
http://vimeo.com/8727138
http://vimeo.com/8727138
Earthquake Update
To my family and friends,
Over the last 3 days I have been inundated with emails and calls regarding all that has been happening in Haiti. Most of you have been inquiring about the “characters” in my blog and the state of the mission. I’ve waited as long as possible, holding my breath for each and every one of my friends. There has been some good news, some bad news, and still a lot of unknowns. I’ve been kept up to date as best as possible through Diana (MOH teacher) and Rachel (whose place I stayed with the twins). Here is what I know :
Though the mission is located in the area of worst impact, its buildings are still standing, although the insides are completely destroyed; there have been injuries of course, but those who were on MOH at the time are all alive. The majority of the 150 employees, however, are Haitian and do not live on the mission. 85% of the surrounding villages are completely destroyed and they are still awaiting news on many of the employees and the over 1200 children who attended school on the mission. It is already known that one of the little girls, Farah, was killed. The Hope House kids are too terrified to be near anything, so they are huddled together in the grass with the animals; everyone is sleeping outside. Though the inside of the clinic was destroyed and many of the supplies ruined, there have been hundreds of patients flocking to the mission especially because of the other hospitals that had collapsed. I took the following from Diana’s blog:
Within half an hour, an emergency medical team was arranged by Grant and Cheryl, and all of the team doctors and nurses trekked down to the clinic to give care to the countless village people who could be seen from the top of the mission hill flocking to the mission gates. This initial medical aid ran all through Tuesday night and all day Wednesday. Medical professionals worked around the clock after just returning from a full day of work to assist the Haitian people with broken limbs, bleeding wounds, burns, and internal damages.
Yesterday, I was relieved to find out that Sadrac Innocent was okay. Apparently he was on his way to school by foot when it struck. Patris’ school building collapsed and he lost many of his classmates; fortunately he was not in school at the time either. I’ve been especially worried about Wicky, and just this evening I got some good news. He writes: praise the Lord, the almighty God that i am ok, my family. we really need your prayer for haiti. my house craks, but i am a life. psaums 46...
Another sigh of relief. Bildad’s (one of the Haitian employees)sister was in one of the Port-Au-Prince buildings when it collapsed and they were mourning her loss when they found out that she had been drug out and brought to a hospital. I am very worried about Cenea Sadrac and Dr. Jennifer. Dr. Jennifer lives in Petionville, one of the worst hit areas, and I have yet to hear news about her. I have been looking at pictures from the clinic and I keep hoping to see her or Dr. Alex or Blondy or Charlins in one, but I have not. I’ve kept in good touch with Cenea Sadrac (Cadrak) since I’ve been back, I really hope that I will hear from him again soon so I can breathe again. I have not heard about Venna, but I hope that she wasn’t home when it struck because I’m sure that her house could not withstand it (remember the pictures). I am anxiously awaiting any news about the Good Samaritan Orphanage kids. They had already been through so much with the hurricanes. I can’t help think of Gwendolyn and Carnesise (my favorite, who never smiled), and imagine how frightened they are. Or worse.
That is all I know for now. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your messages of concern and encouragement. I will try to put updates on the blog if I get any more news (http://haiti2009-brittsolar.blogspot.com/). Some of you have been asking about where to send donations. I’m sure that almost anywhere you pledge to would go to its best use, especially something like the Red Cross. I know that MOH is desperately in need of funds and medical supplies as they have absorbed hundreds of patients from the surrounding areas. The facilities are relatively small and the patients are lined up bloodied and dying outside of the partly destroyed clinic building. Many cannot be saved. I worked very closely with the founder and president Brad Johnson, and I can guarantee to you that your donations will be used in the best possible way if made through him. That website is http://www.mohhaiti.org/. There is a specific place for the Disaster Relief. I would not recommend it if I didn’t truly have confidence in the priorities and abilities of this organization.
I hope that this elucidated some of your concerns. I write this with a heavy heart, but with appreciation of all the prayers and thoughts that have been directed towards Haiti. I can’t help but feel helpless. Dr. Cheryl, after holding a dead 2 yr old in her arms, writes “…this child will no longer feel pain, will no longer cry, will no longer hunger. She will no longer want for anything, she will no longer be judged, she will no longer be lonely.” Has it come to that? How can a house fall on you when you sleep in a wheelbarrow? It is travesty just an hour and a half from Miami Beach and what I once thought could never be any worse, just got worse.
Thank you so much for your prayers and concerns, I love you all.
Britt
Sadrac Inocent January 17 at 12:57pm
Im okay my friend thank you for thinking about me i love u sadrac
Josaphat Noel January 18 at 5:33pm
i am ok, don't worry, God keep me safe. thank you for thinking of me. God bless you, wicky
Over the last 3 days I have been inundated with emails and calls regarding all that has been happening in Haiti. Most of you have been inquiring about the “characters” in my blog and the state of the mission. I’ve waited as long as possible, holding my breath for each and every one of my friends. There has been some good news, some bad news, and still a lot of unknowns. I’ve been kept up to date as best as possible through Diana (MOH teacher) and Rachel (whose place I stayed with the twins). Here is what I know :
Though the mission is located in the area of worst impact, its buildings are still standing, although the insides are completely destroyed; there have been injuries of course, but those who were on MOH at the time are all alive. The majority of the 150 employees, however, are Haitian and do not live on the mission. 85% of the surrounding villages are completely destroyed and they are still awaiting news on many of the employees and the over 1200 children who attended school on the mission. It is already known that one of the little girls, Farah, was killed. The Hope House kids are too terrified to be near anything, so they are huddled together in the grass with the animals; everyone is sleeping outside. Though the inside of the clinic was destroyed and many of the supplies ruined, there have been hundreds of patients flocking to the mission especially because of the other hospitals that had collapsed. I took the following from Diana’s blog:
Within half an hour, an emergency medical team was arranged by Grant and Cheryl, and all of the team doctors and nurses trekked down to the clinic to give care to the countless village people who could be seen from the top of the mission hill flocking to the mission gates. This initial medical aid ran all through Tuesday night and all day Wednesday. Medical professionals worked around the clock after just returning from a full day of work to assist the Haitian people with broken limbs, bleeding wounds, burns, and internal damages.
Yesterday, I was relieved to find out that Sadrac Innocent was okay. Apparently he was on his way to school by foot when it struck. Patris’ school building collapsed and he lost many of his classmates; fortunately he was not in school at the time either. I’ve been especially worried about Wicky, and just this evening I got some good news. He writes: praise the Lord, the almighty God that i am ok, my family. we really need your prayer for haiti. my house craks, but i am a life. psaums 46...
Another sigh of relief. Bildad’s (one of the Haitian employees)sister was in one of the Port-Au-Prince buildings when it collapsed and they were mourning her loss when they found out that she had been drug out and brought to a hospital. I am very worried about Cenea Sadrac and Dr. Jennifer. Dr. Jennifer lives in Petionville, one of the worst hit areas, and I have yet to hear news about her. I have been looking at pictures from the clinic and I keep hoping to see her or Dr. Alex or Blondy or Charlins in one, but I have not. I’ve kept in good touch with Cenea Sadrac (Cadrak) since I’ve been back, I really hope that I will hear from him again soon so I can breathe again. I have not heard about Venna, but I hope that she wasn’t home when it struck because I’m sure that her house could not withstand it (remember the pictures). I am anxiously awaiting any news about the Good Samaritan Orphanage kids. They had already been through so much with the hurricanes. I can’t help think of Gwendolyn and Carnesise (my favorite, who never smiled), and imagine how frightened they are. Or worse.
That is all I know for now. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your messages of concern and encouragement. I will try to put updates on the blog if I get any more news (http://haiti2009-brittsolar.blogspot.com/). Some of you have been asking about where to send donations. I’m sure that almost anywhere you pledge to would go to its best use, especially something like the Red Cross. I know that MOH is desperately in need of funds and medical supplies as they have absorbed hundreds of patients from the surrounding areas. The facilities are relatively small and the patients are lined up bloodied and dying outside of the partly destroyed clinic building. Many cannot be saved. I worked very closely with the founder and president Brad Johnson, and I can guarantee to you that your donations will be used in the best possible way if made through him. That website is http://www.mohhaiti.org/. There is a specific place for the Disaster Relief. I would not recommend it if I didn’t truly have confidence in the priorities and abilities of this organization.
I hope that this elucidated some of your concerns. I write this with a heavy heart, but with appreciation of all the prayers and thoughts that have been directed towards Haiti. I can’t help but feel helpless. Dr. Cheryl, after holding a dead 2 yr old in her arms, writes “…this child will no longer feel pain, will no longer cry, will no longer hunger. She will no longer want for anything, she will no longer be judged, she will no longer be lonely.” Has it come to that? How can a house fall on you when you sleep in a wheelbarrow? It is travesty just an hour and a half from Miami Beach and what I once thought could never be any worse, just got worse.
Thank you so much for your prayers and concerns, I love you all.
Britt
Sadrac Inocent January 17 at 12:57pm
Im okay my friend thank you for thinking about me i love u sadrac
Josaphat Noel January 18 at 5:33pm
i am ok, don't worry, God keep me safe. thank you for thinking of me. God bless you, wicky
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