Clinic Day 1

An early start once again and I was ready for the our very first clinic with the Dominican team at the Nuevo Vida Centre. Jane came and retrieved myself and my 2 trusty assistants, Linda and Pat from the crew to drop us off at Karen's house. Our first stop however was the local bakery where Jane had to pick up fresh croussants. I also needed to aquire some Q-tips that I might need for assessments during the day. Jane waved me toward a local store down the street but said that she didn't know what they would be called. Pat asked me how I was going to purchase something that I didn't know how to ask for. Not to worry, always bring a sample. I just showed the clerk my Q-tip, he nodded and brought me a package. I knew to ask how much(quantos?. He said 15 peso, I said dos. He gave me 2 and I gave him money and got my change. Support local business and a victory for that A in Spanish I got during my Opticianry program! Dropped off a few blocks from the clinic, it was a lovely morning walk to work through an upper class neighbourhood dotted with cows and chickens in empty lots. We arrived at the center and quickly got to business setting up the equipment and arranging the exam room.

People were alreadying lining up outside. Carol Ryan from Nelson BC, who works with Karen regularly in the DR eye clinics was our manager for the day and she really has a great system for organizing glasses and keeping things running smoothly. Poablo, a Lt Coronel with the Environmental Enforcement Agency had volunteered to be my interpreter for the day.

We got ourselves organized and were ready for our first patient at 9:20am with the goal of 50 people through by 5pm. It was a steady flow. One of the things I did was go by my middle name Inez as Gayle seems to be a very difficult name to pronounce for native spanish speakers. My personal goal was to ensure the everyone got a reasonable amount of my time and a accurate assessment and solution to their concern that day. Also, I was going to take the same professional and personal approach to each person. I didn't speak to the interpreter, I spoke to the person, my tone of voice was relaxed and direct and I smiled and welcomed each of them in Spanish using their name. Everyone was very grateful for the help that we could provide. Some of the things that I assessed today, I had never seen in person before but only dealt with in a textbook or an exam. Today I was grateful for the quality education I had at Seneca College, from all my instructors and from Paul, Mary Lou, Eileen, Michael and all the Opticians and Doctors I have worked with who have prepared me well for each case I was presented with today. Just some of the examples beyond the regular fitting of glasses to correct sight
- I saw a 6month old baby who's parent's were told was blind and was severely crossed eyed.

 But with a little assessment he was able to track the motion of a bright object at a reasonable distance so I was able to refer them to a specialist. The child may have limited sight but it's not gone and with some help this child's vision may be correctable. At least now they will get to see someone who can give them a better idea.
-I saw a lady who was caught in a fight between 2 young girls when one of them threw amonia and salt at the other and some splashed into her eye.

She had significant damage that probably can't be reversed but set out a plan to let it heal and keep if from being infected so that she doesn't lose the eye completely
- I saw a lady, who's 50th birthday is tomorrow. She has Bell's palsy and is recovering from a stroke. She needed reading glasses so that she can sew and make a living for her self. I fit her with a beautiful pair of reading glasses donated by my fellow Optician Jamie. His mother passed away just before I left on this trip and he wanted her glasses to go to good use.

I think I found them a good home.
-Karen had asked me to see a 6yr old boy who wouldn't look straight and had had a CAT scan but and no neuro damage had been determined. I was unsure that I would be able to give any insight but would gladly take a look. As soon as he came in though, it was clear that he had nystagmus-very rapid back and forth movement of the eyes. I don't know why any of the doctors he had seen didn't note this. I was able to assess that he needed a high plus prescription and found a pair of glasses that worked for him. Although they bothered him at first-it's hard to go from no correction to wearing +4.75, by the time we were done he was happy that the world was much better.
-I had a young man with Acanthamoeba(corneal ulcer) in Ontario a immediate emergency so was able to get him across the hall to the local doctor for treatment. Unfortunately, the doctor wasn't familiar with the condition so brought him back. I then had to explain the condition, show him the patient's eye(really though, it was VERY obvious) and the regular treatment plan. - I also gave the doctor his first eye test(not kidding) and fitted him with a -2.25 RX.....

Not sure how he got through school without being able to see. There are tons more examples and even joy in the ordinary. I want to thank Deborah Perry in Saskatoon for donated such beautiful glasses.

It was a great pleasure not just to help these people see, but to let them feel beautiful in their new glasses.

This lady was an artist and was so grateful to be able to read again the first thing she did was give us a blessing by reading Prov 22:1.

 

When 5pm finally clicked on the clock we had seen 55 patients including most of the clinic staff and the teachers of the local school. It was a very rewarding day and a sigh of relief that my skills had served the people well. My task now was to get my 2 charges home safely on public transit. Linda said that Poablo had offered to drive us but I told her to decline. Gas is very expensive and he had given a lot of time to be with us, we could and would take the bus.

We had a 20min walk through a very sketchy redlight district of Sosua to find the bus depot which was an education in and of itself. Older white men with VERY young Dominican girls everywhere you turned. Interesting clothing stores and the most English signage I had seen on this whole trip. If I wanted wine before dinner(I might mean whine) Linda and Pat were willing to provide it but I had kinda run out of bedside manner so I just kept "Ya-ya, keep moving" them on. Got to the bus depot without getting lost and used my new aquired skill to flag for local transportation. A bus-and by bus I might mean a 15 seat van with an open side door-driver waved us over. I had my pesos ready(Pay a set fee up front and no more) and confirm that he knew our stop was Playa Dorado. Si-Si(I asked 3 times) and I got the 3 of us loaded on. Pat wanted to make sure he knew where we were going. Yup we were good. We were packed in and that means in a vehicle for 15, 24 people flew down the road.

There was definitely overlapping on the seats. It was a rollercoaster of a ride but just a great local experience. I had our stop in sight and hollered at the driver to stop which then had Linda and Pat shouting Stop too!. We got out and Linda could bare the thought of walking the 1km to the hotel so I flagged a horse and carriage to negociate a ride. How much? $5 In Peso? $200(which is $6) I said no, how about $120 pesos? That's all I have. The driver said sure. Then Pat helpfully pipes up "Don't worry I have more!" I quickly turned to her "Shut up, no you don't. Get in."

We were laughing so hard and our driver was great. We did end up giving him a nice tip and we were laughing so hard I think people probably thought we were drunk as we pulled up. It was a very successful day. But the nicest thing was that at our team meeting at the end of day, Pat said that she was most impressed with my work and skill that day that she would have no trouble trusting me with her eyes. That is the best compliment anyone can give you.

Training Day

Once again we awoke to a beautiful sunrise over the ocean knowing that at home they were facing -22C and blowing snow. Today I would be separating from my team and working with Karen and Carol to train them on the new equipment and with the new tools and learning about their system so that I could conduct a full clinic on Wednesday. My friend Karen, on our team, took one look at my attire and said "I take it you're not working with us today" No but can I just say that the breakfast buffet included some of the best chicken wings ever and that is just a BRILLIANT idea!

We all boarded the bus to the construction site at Villa Samaritano but were met with some challenges get up the hill once again. This time a delivery truck has dumped a load of sand, it was trying to bring on site, half way up the road. Workers were manually shoveling to clear the pile but it left very little room for our over sized bus/van to pass through. Driver Eddie paused only for a moment but then was sure he could pass. With some artful weaving on that treacherous grade he made it pass the spill and up the hill with us cheering him on.

We had done a lot in just 1 day!

Jane, Director John's wife and partner in all duties, retrieved me from the site and dropped me off at Karen's for the rest of the day. Eager learners, Karen and Carol quickly took to learning the auto refractor, how it related to the presciptions on the glasses, what the PD meant, how to measure them, how it affected fitting glasses, how to clean glasses in the new ultra sonic cleaner, how to repair and replace parts on frames.

I tried not to overwhelmed them with information but I felt so bad for them they had been given such important work and tasks without much guidance or training. It is a great pleasure to give them what knowledge and skills I can and will ensure that they can continue the work once I am gone. We discussed the challenges they had in funding, getting the help they need and getting help that often left them with more issues to deal with. For example, I asked whether there was a benefit to having a doctor come to do surgeries on cataracts and ptygerium for a week. Karen said that they had had that happen before but all doctors have to be partnered with a licensed Dominican doctor and the bigger problem is follow up care. The doctors leave then she is left with infections and complications that she isn't able to handle or deal with. That is important to remember and be aware of when you are giving aid. What are you leaving behind? She also asked me about some special cases that she hasn't been able to figure out and would I be willing to see them. I said sure but I wasn't sure I could offer any more answers. It was time for a break for all of us. Karen needed a nap and Carol and I went to cool off in the pool.

It was lovely and peaceful but hard to completely enjoy knowing that the rest of my team was still slugging away under the beating sun on the building site. Carol then walked me over to the Nuevo Vida center where the eye clinic happens ever Wednesday. It is a beautiful new building and I am grateful for such a great facility to be working in. She showed me the set up, where the equipment would go and how they normally function through the day. Back at the condo, I ambitiosly agreed that with Carol's help and a few member's of our team, I think we can see 50 people in the 8 hours that the clinic will run. It will be a best case scenario if I can do an assessment, refraction and fitting in about 5-7mins but I think that anything that will take longer will really be out of my skills and abilities. It was late afternoon, Jane was back to pick me up to rejoin our team to tour Villa Paraiso one of the first villages built by The Samaritan Foundation and the location of their offices.

We were running late so Jane was a little frustrated when I stopped to hit a few balls with some kids playing baseball. Let's be honest, I'm not as good at baseball as I am at curling but it was worth it show them that the white lady in a skirt could actually hit the ball and wasn't too busy to play.

Typical street in the village. It was laundry day.

When I joined our team again, our leader Betty, kindly came over to welcome me back and with much concern asked about how hot my wokr had been as she notice my hair was wet and tangled. I humbly had to confess it was from being in the pool which quickly disapated any sympathy she might have had and she rolled her eyes. We were shown the local gardens that are worked by each family supported by the University of Guelph.

Termite nest

In the middle was this growth of bamboo that was over 100 years old.

The village has many small businesses and training facilities for woodworking and sewing so that there are opportunities for families to support themselves. One of our team members, Pat was pleasantly surprised to find a quilt that had been made by a group at her church hanging on the clothes line of one of the families. Back on the bus, we headed back to the hotel, tired but satisfied with our day's work. Our evening meeting was filled with many things we were truly grateful for which were easy to think of. It was decided that Linda and Pat would be joining me to work at the eye clinic tomorrow. I am grateful to have some familiar faces supporting and working with me in what would be a challenge for even and experienced and trained eye care team in a Canadian clinic. I am also concerned for them and our safety. We may be handling some seriously infected people and hand-washing and disinfecting will be imperative for the health of our patients, and our team. It is a manageable risk but one we still need to be acutely aware of in this situation. On the other hand, it is my great hope that we will be a great blessing to this community and that people will walk out of the clinic seeing the world more clearly. We will do our best to serve all those we meet. Also due to the long day, we will have to find our own way back to the hotel tomorrow, meaning taking local transportation. That's going to be an adventure all on it's own. Our team ended our meeting surrounding us in prayer. I completely trust that we are in God's good hand.

First Day On The Job

The meds had done their job and so, after a good night's sleep, it was an early rise to dress and have breakfast before getting on the bus for our 1/2 hour commute to the construction site.

Our first stop was for gas. Yes at a pump made out of an old refrigerator.

Then into the new village of Samaritano where I was VERY glad not to have to cycle up this grade.

We cheered even as the bus made it up. This was our trusted transportation for the week owned and driven by Eddie.

We weren't the only ones arriving for work that day.

 And this was our view while we worked and will be the view for the families from their front doors.

Our team needed to be divided into smaller groups for different tasks and to work with different Haitian skilled workers. I really felt for our leader Arnie, trying to organized us, so excited about starting the project, finding places to put our stuff. As my friend Tracy would say, it was a lot like herding barn cats.

Some of the other houses almost done. This is the back yard.

 Finally settled into our duties, I was assigned to be the mecla(cement mortar) and bloc minion for Haitian brick layer, Louis.

Cement mortar in one hand, cement block in the other.

I did well to keep his skilled pace and it didn't help that David and Patrico, the guys filling the mecla buckets didn't think as a woman I could carry a full bucket so they would only fill it half way. Until once I put it down, Patrico filled it full without realizing it was me, then he tried to dump it out. I stopped him, said, "No" grabbed the bucket as they chuckled at me being able to handle it. After that, I refused to pick up the bucket unless it was full. We can to an understanding really quick. It just made sense though as I couldn't keep up to Louis if I had to make twice as many trips.

Geoff getting to lay block

Elizabeth and I working together

We also had this herd of cows wander through the building site throughout the day.

 And there were a few spiders hanging around

We worked until lunch, then John Huizinga, Director of The Samaritan Foundation in the DR came and got me to go and meet with the crew from the eye clinic. We drove into the town of Sosua Beach which is east of Puerto Plata. We pulled up to the place that Karen Conquergood was staying. I turned to John and said, "I REALLY like my new work site"

It had a pool! Karen had fallen just a few days ago and broken 2 vertebrae.
We were going to be making plans about what to do with the equipment and the clinic as we needed to make sure we got the work done without impeding her long term healing. We spent the afternoon discussing her work and how I could be of most help. As I feared she had come across a lot of problems, issues and disorders that I couldn't figure out and wasn't qualified to help with. However with we did develop a great plan for the week and by the end of the day I felt like I had completed a National Exam again. John came back to pick me up and deliver me back to the team but not before a quick stop to see the office they work out of in the village of Paradiso.

We will be visiting this town again. Finally, it was back to the hotel where we needed to load up all the eye clinic equipment and deliver it back to Karen's place. By now, I really needed a shower and then dinner but I was so exhausted. A day of both physical and mental exertion had taken it's toll. I was too tired to even eat dinner, basically passed out on the bed for our end of day team meeting and that was enough. It was straight to bed to get as much sleep as possible. Tomorrow I was going straight to Karen's to train everyone on the equipment and to prepare for our first clinic day.

This Trip Is Aging Me

Today is my 46th birthday. I woke up to a beautiful view of the ocean as the sun was rising.

This is new, usually there is a snow storm blowing around outside. It was a good night's rest after a long day of travel. The morning started with a drive to a batay(small village) of Esparansa(it means hope)where we attended a Haitian church.
But the team had a surprise for me as they presented me with a birthday card and a enthusiastic singing of Happy Birthday!
Esparansa is one of the first villages that The Samaritian Foundation completed. They moved 260 families out of tin shanties and into cement block homes with plumbing, heat, schools medical clinic and businesses. These families were refugees from Haiti that came to the Dominican to work in the sugar cane fields. A hard day's work cutting about a ton (literally) of cane would earn the worker about $4. 95% of the cane is used to make rum. That would be like 95% of the wheat grown in Canada being used to make Crown Royal. They have had a nomadic life changed into a living permanent community. The church service was vibrant and lively and although I didn't understand a lot of the Creole being spoken, It was amazing to be apart of their worship. As I listened to the joyful sounds around me, I was reminded of the Haitian voodoo exhibit I visited in Ottawa this fall at the Museum of Civilization. Although the sound of the crowd of voices speaking together in the same foreign language was similar the vast difference in tone was remarkable. The voodoo exhibit was dark and mournful, this was the sound of celebration and joy. After church we wandered the village and had a chance to shop from some of the local merchants.  We visited the local  Beads of H.O.P.E(Helping other People Eat) where jewelry is made from hand crafted paper bead. It is harder that it looks and it was fascinating to see where the card stock was being donated from-including a Tim Horton's timbit box!

After making our purchases we got on the bus to go back to the hotel for the afternoon
I felt a migraine coming on so quickly did my best to stave it off by getting some lunch and taking meds. An ice pack and an hour of bed rest and I tried to function for the rest of the afternoon. At least it was a day for some relaxation. However, even taking easy, it was soon clear that by dinner a stronger dose of meds was going to be necessary to get me through the night and to be clear and ready for our first day of work tomorrow. A stroll down to the beach for some fresh air and then to dinner as my meds started doing their job. Blessings from my great team as they arranged for the hotel staff to present me with a Birthday cake while singing Happy Birthday.

Handsome men bringing you treats always make you feel better. It was also wonderful having a chance to read all the warm greetings on Facebook from my friends back home. Our evening was spent sorting through all of the donated gifts we had brought with us to be distributed.

That includes the hundreds of glasses that I am hoping to fit with people over the next few days.

It was a challenge to figure out the best way to sort these and require a quick education of some of my team mate about what all those numbers mean. I am thankful I am with such smart people who are quick learners. Tomorrow is our first day on the construction site. I will be getting picked up to meet with the eye care team to figure out the new plan now that their leader is still injured. I trust that it will all work out but it is a little challenging to say- I have no idea what I am doing tomorrow or what I need to bring! Also, we are working on a way to upload the photos so please check back for updates. Heading to bed now to let the medication finish it's work, praying for a restful night and a clear head for our work day that starts at 8am.

The Journey To Puerto Plata

We woke up to news of roads closures and blowing snow. Checking the airport website said that morning flights had been delayed but ours was still scheduled for 4pm. With emails and texts flying between our team members, one of which was being routed around closed roads, Geoff, Karen and myself just continued on course to get to the airport by 1pm.
Our bags were all packed and so we loaded everything into the van and waited for Geoff's parent's, caretakers of all kids and ferrets to arrive.
We also built a compound in the basement for the ferrets. Usually they have had lots of freedom when staying in the basement at the Vanderkooy house but Duncan & Lulu are new to this house and new to litter training so we needed to limit their environment. That is hard to accomplish with Seamus being the evil genius that he is and so this is what developed out of cardboard, gym mats and thier travel cages.

Satisfied, I went to get dressed and we packed food for the long day of travel ahead of us. In the 20 mins that took, I went back down to say one last good bye and sure enough Seamus had already escaped! We left it with the kids to figure out how he had done it and find a solution.






The drive to the airport along the 401 was not ideal however despite a few minor accidents we passed along the way, traffic was moving fairly well and we made it to the terminal in perfect time. Geoff's great mind kicked in to realize it was best to drop Karen and I off with all the luggage and then just he would have to shuttle back from the parking. One of the smartest things we did!

A little bit more shuffling of luggage took place to ensure that everyone's bags met the weight limitations and we trucked over to get checked in.
Now, I was carting, not just my personal stuff and donated glasses and equipment but a 2'X2'X2' 55lb box with the autofractor. I had done my research and arrangements well in advance of this moment. I had purchased a special upgrade for the addition weigh my luggage might be and I had a letter for the special handling of the auto refractor. Now with the shifting of luggage with the rest of the team, the good news was that I now only had to check 1 small personal bag that was 1/3 of the weight I was allowed but the auto fractor was coming in a little over with the extra packing we had put in. I was hoping the airline would give us some understanding with this. Also, with my upgrade, I got to check in at an express line. As I rolled my cart up to the counter, I handed all my paper work to the agent with a smile and let her do her job. This is when all that prep work sort of fell apart. Apparently the notes on my booking didn't match the letter and the auto refractor was not going to get the gate check in that I had been promised but instead would be put with the other humanitarian cargo and may not even get on this flight. Oh no, that wasn't going to happen. It took about 45 mins of negotiations, pulling up emails, calling supervisors and finally they allowed me to check it as my 2nd piece of luggage(Thank goodness they didn't weigh it and we didn't have to deal with that) and we had to go through special security(she was VERY kind and helpful when she found out what the machine was and for) and re-pack it and re label it FRAGILE.....THIS SIDE UP ALWAYS!!!! They also sent a message to the ground crew for when we landed to handle it with great care. At that point, I just had to trust that all would be well when we landed.

The weather had also cleared and our flight left on time and it was a smooth 4 hour flight that left the snowy weather behind us.

 Very relaxing for our team mate Paul

 On the flight, I was visiting with our team sitting in another area of the plane when on of the passengers said, "Excuse me, do you work at Lenscrafters in Masonville Mall?" I replied, "Yes I do!" He said," I thought I knew you from somewhere! My wife and I bought my glasses from you! They are great! You completely lectured me about cleaning them on my shirt and wearing them on my head! I haven't forgot that." Steve and Karrie are staying at the same place we are and thought it was VERY cool what our team was doing in the DR.

It was late when we arrived so it was straight to the hotel, sorting out luggage and then to bed. Unfortunately, I got the news that Karen, the lady that does most of the eye care work at the villages here fell 2 days ago and has cracked 2 vertebrae. She is currently still in the hospital and they are making other arrangements so that the equipment can still get set up and we can still do the work but I hope most of all she is taking the time to heal well.