A small cornerstone

Lauren and I are sitting here at the Cap Haitian airport waiting to return to PAP. I keep thinking of how fast the last few days have gone. It seems as though our journey hasn't even started! This morning was another successful day for our nurses and their confidence in patient care has grown. It is evident by the way they interact with their patients, listening closely and looking intently as their patients practice using a step or performing their exercises. They seem to have a good understanding about the things we have taught them and that fact alone will carry them far. I am excited at the possibility of more therapists coming in a few weeks and providing more education. The unteachable things though, the things that are essential in life..showing compassion and having an open heart, well our nurses have a solid foundation in those areas. It has been a huge honor to be in the presences of not only our nurses and translator but the Cap Haitian people as well. I am grateful for the moments they allowed us to share with them. Our days may have passed quickly but are not easily forgotten. Whether it be brainstorming ways for a patient who had a stroke to learn to dress themselves again, teaching a beautiful dancer whose leg was crushed from the quake to stand if only briefly, or educating a young mother on the importance of gently encouraging her baby to move her badly burned and scarred leg and arm, it has all been so humbling for me to watch these nurses bloom into their own. I know I haven't even begun to process this whole amazing experience, but here's to helping lay a small cornerstone.

Victoria