Quake Stories

Some stories from my first few days of clinic work....


Michael's Miracle


On Day 8 after the earthquake, a miraculous thing happened!!! A 5 year old boy arrived at our clinic (along with NBC) right after his family pulled him out of the rubble that had been their home! And he was absolutely fine! All that he needed was a good meal and a whole lot of water. NBC is calling him Miracle Michael, and here's the link to his story:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34944333#34944333


On the morning of Day 9, my first patient of the day was an Amercian (kinda fun to start my day speaking English). He works with an American mining company located near Peti Goave, and they are using their large earth moving equipment to attempt to clear some of the rubble of buildings. The previous morning, he had been about to start clearing a home. As he pointed his large machine at what had previously been a 2 story home, a frantic mother and father rushed to his side. Using gestures, they got his attention to show pictures of two sweet children, their 5 year old son and 8 year old daughter, still buried under the debris. They begged him for a little more time.


That morning, they dug out Miracle Michael and his sister. Michael, as you know, came to us, and his sister went to the hospital down the road. What a truly miraculous morning!


A Cup of Cold Water


Dr. Bill was a wonderful ER doc from Michigan who joined our team for a few days. He ran our splinting and casting center for a little while, and as he headed hack to Port Au Prince to fly out, was overwhelmed by the generous spirit of our sweet Haitian neighbors. 


He was sitting in the back of a pick up truck, stuck in traffic. An old man, with dusty feet and tattered clothes, perched at the edge of the truck asking about water. Dr. Bill didn't have any, so he sadly told that man that he had none. 


Traffic inched forward, and the old man shuffled off. He returned to the gridlocked truck a few minutes later, still dirty and dressed in rags but now holding a cup of water... for the doctor who didn't have any. 


What an incredible group of people I have the privilege of serving!


More stories to come....