This is my friend (check that my favorite American friend) Brian's video about the time he spent in Haiti (the same time I was there). I hope you enjoy it!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Heading Back
Hi Everyone,
I know a few of you have expressed concern over my mental well-being after my last few posts.. first let me say "thank you" as it shows me that you care and that you are still listening to me and "hearing" what I am saying. Second, please don't worry about me..yes there are times I do feel helpless and I think that is only natural considering what I saw and experienced while in Haiti. I think that if I didn't feel some sense of sadness surrounding having so much when I saw people have so little it wouldn't be me...
I am happier right now because in one week I will be heading back to Haiti. Hopefully with bags filled with stuff people need..fun stuff for the kids still living at Heartline, clothes for the women and guys (who doesn't love a new outfit) and of course a full heart so excited to hug little Emman and Rosemon and of course Beth. And of course see my sweet little Rose and grandma! I will miss Jen and Barbie tho...but will get to chat with them and they will never be far from my thoughts and heart!
I also want to bring down some supplies for a new group I am hoping to get involved with (new to me but not new to Haiti!). As many of you have heard from my stories one of the things that really affected me when I was down in Haiti the first time was the children who were suffering from malnutrition. Prior to the earthquake 46% of Haitians suffered from malnutrition..BEFORE the quake, I can only imagine the stats now. I have been in contact with a lady who runs a rescue center for malnourished children and I hope to squeeze in a day or two with her while I am down this time. The center on average has about 60 children staying there, suffering from different levels of malnutrition. Check out their website...
http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/
I know a few of you have expressed concern over my mental well-being after my last few posts.. first let me say "thank you" as it shows me that you care and that you are still listening to me and "hearing" what I am saying. Second, please don't worry about me..yes there are times I do feel helpless and I think that is only natural considering what I saw and experienced while in Haiti. I think that if I didn't feel some sense of sadness surrounding having so much when I saw people have so little it wouldn't be me...
I am happier right now because in one week I will be heading back to Haiti. Hopefully with bags filled with stuff people need..fun stuff for the kids still living at Heartline, clothes for the women and guys (who doesn't love a new outfit) and of course a full heart so excited to hug little Emman and Rosemon and of course Beth. And of course see my sweet little Rose and grandma! I will miss Jen and Barbie tho...but will get to chat with them and they will never be far from my thoughts and heart!
I also want to bring down some supplies for a new group I am hoping to get involved with (new to me but not new to Haiti!). As many of you have heard from my stories one of the things that really affected me when I was down in Haiti the first time was the children who were suffering from malnutrition. Prior to the earthquake 46% of Haitians suffered from malnutrition..BEFORE the quake, I can only imagine the stats now. I have been in contact with a lady who runs a rescue center for malnourished children and I hope to squeeze in a day or two with her while I am down this time. The center on average has about 60 children staying there, suffering from different levels of malnutrition. Check out their website...
http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/
So good things are happening and I am feeling better about it..I don't know what I will be contributing this go round and I guess I will wait and see...
I will try and update this blog like I did last time! So stay tuned. Thanks again for all the support.
Love LiseThursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sadness
Tonight I am feeling somewhat helpless and sad. I want to leave the comforts of my warm, dry house where my fridge is stocked and I can turn on the tap for fresh water anytime of the day...I want to immerse myself into a life of servitude and take away the pains and suffering of those hurting..I want to build houses to keep out the rain, I want to build schools so that little children can get educations, I want to give everyone access to the health care they need, I want to feed all the hungry people but most of all I want to make life good and easy and fair for everyone... in a world of so much why are there some that have so little...
Like I said I am a little sad tonight so thanks for listening... sending out love to my sweet friends in Haiti because that's all I have to send right now...
Please Read Sean Penns testimony at the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
http://foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2010/PennTestimony100519a.pdf
Love to all
Lise
Like I said I am a little sad tonight so thanks for listening... sending out love to my sweet friends in Haiti because that's all I have to send right now...
Please Read Sean Penns testimony at the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
http://foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2010/PennTestimony100519a.pdf
Love to all
Lise
Monday, May 3, 2010
Madeline and Me
The following is an article about Madeline, one of our former patients at Heartline. She went "home" the other week walking on both legs..MERLIN is a wonderful organization that we worked closely with and one I would recommend people support if they are looking at supporting an organization but are weary.
http://www.merlin.org.uk/Lists/Feature-Detail.aspx?id=883
I know I have posted a lot on here today I guess I have been quite pensive today... I have been home for almost a month and it seems so hard to believe! I have been thinking a lot lately about the psychological side of the people of Haiti and other countries that face similar struggles..I'm trying to not let it paralyze me or turn me into a cynic (proving to be a lot more difficult then appears) But I know now that this is my calling..what I need to do in this world...Either hands on, on the ground or even from a distance if that is all that can happen...I have yet to figure it out but over the next few months I am going to work hard at making this become a reality for me. I will keep you all informed as to where this journey takes me!
Thank you again for all the support!
Lise
http://www.merlin.org.uk/Lists/Feature-Detail.aspx?id=883
I know I have posted a lot on here today I guess I have been quite pensive today... I have been home for almost a month and it seems so hard to believe! I have been thinking a lot lately about the psychological side of the people of Haiti and other countries that face similar struggles..I'm trying to not let it paralyze me or turn me into a cynic (proving to be a lot more difficult then appears) But I know now that this is my calling..what I need to do in this world...Either hands on, on the ground or even from a distance if that is all that can happen...I have yet to figure it out but over the next few months I am going to work hard at making this become a reality for me. I will keep you all informed as to where this journey takes me!
Thank you again for all the support!
Lise
London Times Article
WE had a reporter from the London Times follow our team for a day. They went with us to MERLIN (a UK organization that did a lot of our plastics and ortho stuff), Andrew, seen in the picture with the young girl was a wonderfully empathetic, retired Orthopedic surgeon! I loved the fact that he was still so willing to help in the world at a time in his life when he could have rightfully just focused on himself! He was seen by our team walking around with a teacup and saucer in +33C weather..ahh love those Brits!
The young man in the other picture was a patient of ours (not when I was there) who lost 12 members of his family in the quake..can you imagine losing 12 members of your family in 45 seconds? I can't! Truly remarkable young man!
I love you all and am so grateful to have you in my life! Be safe, take good care!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7082065.ece
Lise
The young man in the other picture was a patient of ours (not when I was there) who lost 12 members of his family in the quake..can you imagine losing 12 members of your family in 45 seconds? I can't! Truly remarkable young man!
I love you all and am so grateful to have you in my life! Be safe, take good care!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7082065.ece
Lise
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Articles and such..
Here are a few different articles and slide shows etc from different groups working in Haiti. As well as a video of footage during the quake from inside the Palace.
Rainy season is in full bloom in Haiti soon to be followed by Hurricane season..makes me sad and worried for those still there. Our little clinic still has a few patients left and our Dr. Jen asked if I could return for a little while in May. I am looking into it but don't think I can make it work...maybe I should heed the following quote.
"What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change.” —James Orbinski (1960-); Former President Of Doctors Without Borders
Hope everyone is well! Thanks for all the support and encouragement over the past few months...
http://msf.ca/features/2010haiti_howtheylive/
http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/05/rosemond-his-future.html
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/05/01/four_haitian_children_flown_here_for_treatment_return_with_bittersweet_feelings/?page=1
http://vimeo.com/11086636
Love Lise
Rainy season is in full bloom in Haiti soon to be followed by Hurricane season..makes me sad and worried for those still there. Our little clinic still has a few patients left and our Dr. Jen asked if I could return for a little while in May. I am looking into it but don't think I can make it work...maybe I should heed the following quote.
"What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change.” —James Orbinski (1960-); Former President Of Doctors Without Borders
Hope everyone is well! Thanks for all the support and encouragement over the past few months...
http://msf.ca/features/2010haiti_howtheylive/
http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/2010/05/rosemond-his-future.html
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/05/01/four_haitian_children_flown_here_for_treatment_return_with_bittersweet_feelings/?page=1
http://vimeo.com/11086636
Love Lise
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